Should men take fish oil

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Should Men Take Fish Oil? A Comprehensive Review

Cardiometabolic Health Benefits of Fish Oil

Triglyceride Reduction and Cardiovascular Health

Fish oil, rich in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), has been shown to significantly reduce blood triglyceride levels in both young and older men. Studies indicate a reduction of approximately 30% in blood triglycerides with fish oil supplementation Zulyniak2016Marckmann1997Zulyniak2013. This triglyceride-lowering effect is crucial as high triglyceride levels are a known risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Additionally, fish oil has been associated with improved lipid profiles, including increased HDL cholesterol, which is beneficial for heart health .

Inflammation and Oxylipin Profile

Fish oil supplementation also promotes an improved oxylipin profile, which is linked to reduced inflammation. Both young and older men showed similar changes in serum oxylipins, such as reduced 5-HETE and increased PGF2α and 17-HDoHE, indicating anti-inflammatory effects Zulyniak2016Zulyniak2013. These changes are beneficial as chronic inflammation is a contributing factor to many chronic diseases, including CVD.

Hormonal and Metabolic Effects

Testosterone Levels in Overweight and Obese Men

Supplementation with DHA-enriched fish oil has been shown to increase circulating testosterone levels in overweight and obese men. This increase in testosterone was positively associated with changes in omega-3 PUFA levels and inversely correlated with omega-6 PUFA levels in erythrocyte membranes . Higher testosterone levels can have various health benefits, including improved muscle mass and metabolic health.

Glucose Metabolism and Insulin Sensitivity

Fish oil supplementation does not adversely affect glucose metabolism or insulin sensitivity. In type 2 diabetic men, fish oil did not lead to detrimental effects on glycemic control or whole-body insulin sensitivity, while still lowering plasma triglycerides . This suggests that fish oil can be safely consumed by men with diabetes without worsening their condition.

Effects on Liver and Visceral Fat

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)

Despite the known benefits of omega-3 PUFAs, fish oil supplementation did not significantly reduce liver fat in overweight men, including those with NAFLD. There were no significant changes in liver enzymes, anthropometry, or body composition, indicating that fish oil may not be effective in reducing liver fat in this population .

Exercise and Muscle Health

Muscle Damage and Inflammation

Fish oil supplementation has been shown to alleviate muscle damage, inflammation, and redox imbalance induced by intense strength exercises in young men. This suggests that fish oil can be a beneficial strategy for men engaging in strength-training programs, helping to reduce exercise-induced muscle injury and improve recovery .

Conclusion

Overall, fish oil supplementation offers several health benefits for men, including significant reductions in triglyceride levels, improved inflammatory profiles, and increased testosterone levels in overweight and obese men. It does not adversely affect glucose metabolism and may aid in muscle recovery for those engaged in strength training. However, its effectiveness in reducing liver fat in overweight men remains inconclusive. Given these benefits, men may consider incorporating fish oil into their diet, especially if they are at risk of cardiovascular diseases or engage in regular intense physical activity.

Sources and full results

Most relevant research papers on this topic

Fish oil regulates blood fatty acid composition and oxylipin levels in healthy humans: A comparison of young and older men.

Fish oil supplements lower blood triglycerides in both young and older men, but show different responses in blood fatty acids and promote an improved oxylipin profile in both age groups.

RCTRigorous Journal

2016·

22citations

·M. Zulyniak et al.

Molecular nutrition & food research·

DOI

Dietary fish oil (4 g daily) and cardiovascular risk markers in healthy men.

Fish oil (4g daily) lowers postprandial triglycerides, potentially contributing to primary prevention of ischemic heart disease in healthy middle-aged men.

RCTHighly Cited

1997·

79citations

·P. Marckmann et al.

Arteriosclerosis, thrombosis, and vascular biology·

DOI

Dietary supplementation with docosahexaenoic acid rich fish oil increases circulating levels of testosterone in overweight and obese men.

DHA-enriched fish oil supplementation increases testosterone levels in overweight and obese men, but not in females.

RCT

2020·

20citations

·K. Abbott et al.

Prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and essential fatty acids·

DOI

Administration of dietary fish oil capsules in healthy middle-aged Japanese men with a high level of fish consumption

Dietary fish oil capsules may be effective only for those with lower levels of fish oil consumption, as they did not show a decrease in plasma triacylglycerol, cholesterol, or whole-blood viscosity in healthy middle-aged Japanese men with high fish consumption.

RCT

2009·

17citations

·N. Watanabe et al.

International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition·

DOI

Fish oil supplementation alters circulating eicosanoid concentrations in young healthy men.

Fish oil supplementation improves triglyceride levels and HDL-c ratio in young healthy men, while increasing eicosanoids related to inflammation.

Non-RCT

2013·

42citations

·M. Zulyniak et al.

Metabolism: clinical and experimental·

DOI

Fish oil in combination with high or low intakes of linoleic acid lowers plasma triacylglycerols but does not affect other cardiovascular risk markers in healthy men.

Fish oil supplementation with high or low linoleic acid intake lowers plasma triacylglycerols but does not significantly affect other cardiovascular risk markers in healthy men.

RCTHighly Cited

2008·

79citations

·C. T. Damsgaard et al.

The Journal of nutrition·

DOI

Moderate Intake of n-3 Fatty Acids for 2 Months Has No Detrimental Effect on Glucose Metabolism and Could Ameliorate the Lipid Profile in Type 2 Diabetic Men: Results of a controlled study

A moderate dose of fish oil does not negatively impact glycemic control or insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetic men, while maintaining lipid-lowering capacities.

RCTHighly Cited

1998·

136citations

·Jing Luo et al.

Diabetes Care·

DOI

Interactions between dietary fat, fish, and fish oils and their effects on platelet function in men at risk of cardiovascular disease.

Omega-3 fatty acids in a low-fat diet can reduce platelet aggregation and thromboxane responses, potentially improving cardiovascular risk factors in men at risk of cardiovascular disease.

RCTHighly Cited

1997·

256citations

·Trevor A. Mori et al.

Arteriosclerosis, thrombosis, and vascular biology·

DOI

Effect of Fish Oil Supplementation on Hepatic and Visceral Fat in Overweight Men: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Fish oil supplementation does not effectively reduce liver fat in overweight men.

RCTVery Rigorous Journal

2019·

48citations

·H. Parker et al.

Nutrients·

DOI

Fish Oil Supplementation Improves the Repeated-Bout Effect and Redox Balance in 20–30-Year-Old Men Submitted to Strength Training

Fish oil supplementation reduces muscle damage, inflammation, and redox imbalance in untrained young men undergoing a strength-training program.

2023·

8citations

·Gustavo Barquilha et al.

Nutrients·

DOI

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