Dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid and alpha-linolenic acid are associated with physical capacity measure but not muscle mass in older women 65–72 years

• Published in: European journal of nutrition 2022-06, Vol.61 (4), p.1813-1821
• Main Authors: Isanejad, Masoud, Tajik, Behnam, McArdle, Anne, Tuppurainen, Marjo, Sirola, Joonas, Kröger, Heikki, Rikkonen, Toni, Erkkilä, Arja
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; alpha-Linolenic Acid; Body composition; Body fat; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dietary intake; Docosahexaenoic acid; Docosahexaenoic Acids; Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry; Eicosapentaenoic Acid; Fatty Acids, Omega-3; Female; Food composition; Food intake; Hand Strength; Humans; Knee; Leg; Linolenic acid; Muscle strength; Nutrition; Older people; Original Contribution; Osteoporosis; Polyunsaturated fatty acids; Risk factors; Sarcopenia; Statistical analysis; Walking; Womens health
• ISSN: 1436-6207; 1436-6215
• DOI: 10.1007/s00394-021-02773-z

Purpose The aim was to investigate the cross-sectional association of dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids PUFA (alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)) intake with multiple physical functions, muscle mass and fat mass in older women. Method Study subjects were 554 women from the Osteoporosis Risk Factor and Prevention Fracture Prevention Study, with dietary intake assessed with 3-day food record. Body composition was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Physical function measures included walking speed 10 m, chair rises, one leg stance, knee extension, handgrip strength and squat. Short physical performance battery (SPPB) score was defined based on the European working group on sarcopenia criteria. Results The multivariable adjusted models showed statistically significant associations for dietary ALA with higher SPPB ( β  = 0.118, P  = 0.024), knee extension force at baseline ( β  = 0.075, P  = 0.037) and lower fat mass ( β  = − 0.081, P  = 0.034), as well as longer one-leg stance ( β  = 0.119, P  = 0.010), higher walking speed ( β  = 0.113, P  = 0.047), and ability to squat to the ground ( β  = 0.110, P  = 0.027) at baseline. Total dietary omega-3 PUFA was associated with better SPPB ( β  = 0.108, P  = 0.039), one-leg stance ( β  = 0.102, P  = 0.041) and ability to squat ( β  = 0.110, P  = 0.028), and with walking speed ( β  = 0.110, P  = 0.028). However, associations for dietary EPA and DHA with physical function and body composition were not significant. Conclusion Dietary omega-3 and ALA, but not EPA and DHA, were positively associated with muscle strength and function in older women. The intake of omega-3 and its subtypes was not associated with muscle mass. Longitudinal studies are needed to show whether omega-3 intake may be important for muscle function in older women.