Пептиды в Спорте

Пептидная регуляция старения

 

выдержки из книги "ПЕПТИДНАЯ РЕГУЛЯЦИЯ СТАРЕНИЯ" академика РАН В.Х. Хавинсона.

В данном издании обобщены результаты многолетних исследований автора и коллектива Санкт-Петербургского института биорегуляции и геронтологии СЗО РАМН, посвященных изучению механизмов старения и эффективности пептидных биорегуляторов в профилактике возрастной патологии. Приводятся данные по оценке действия пептидов, полученные с использованием наиболее современных методик в научных учреждениях России, США, Великобритании, Германии, Италии, Испании, Франции. Предлагается концепция пептидной регуляции старения.

Введение​

В течение многих лет феномен старения рассматривался в рамках этических и социальных проблем. Только за последнее столетие общество осознало, что процесс старения нужно исследовать в другом аспекте: как специальный физиологический механизм организма, имеющий определённое эволюционное значение. В конце ХІХ века И.И. Мечников показал, что повышение клеточного иммунитета способствует увеличению продолжительности жизни. Он разработал фагоцитарную теорию иммунитета и считал, что в самом организме человека заложены возможности, позволяющие успешно бороться с патологической старостью. В 1908 г. он был удостоен Нобелевской премии по физиологии или медицине совместно с П. Эрлихом. И только через столетие П. Догерти и Р. Цинкернагель выполнили детальные исследования специфичности клеточного иммунитета при вирусной инфекции (Нобелевская премия по физиологии или медицине в 1996 г.)
Фундаментальные исследования биохимии нуклеиновых кислот и определение последовательности оснований в РНК и ДНК были выполнены в 60 – 70 годы ХХ столетия П. Бергом, У. Гильбертом и Ф. Сэнджером (Нобелевская премия по химии в 1980 г.). Экспериментальные и клинические исследования в геронтологии показали, что иммунная защита организма является первой системной функцией, которая нарушается при старении. Пептидные экстракты тимуса и пептиды, выделенные из этих экстрактов, были первыми препаратами, предложенными для коррекции иммунодефицитного состояния. Происхождение пула коротких регуляторных пептидов в организме стало очевидным после открытия А. Чихановером, А. Гершко и И. Роузом убиквитин-опосредованной деградации белков в протеосомах (Нобелевская премия по химии в 2004 г.). В их работах было показано, что короткие пептиды играют важную роль в передаче биологической информации, как например, аутокринные гормоны и нейропептиды. Один высокомолекулярный белок может быть гидролизован различными путями, что приводит к возникновению нескольких коротких пептидов. Этот механизм может производить пептиды, несущие совершенно различные биологические функции по сравнению с исходной макромолекулой.

Известно, что видовой предел продолжительности жизни животных и человека примерно на 30-40% превышает среднюю длительность жизни. Это связано с воздействием на организм различных неблагоприятных факторов, которые приводят к изменению экспрессии и структуры генов, что сопровождается нарушением синтеза белка и снижением функций организма.

Современная медико-демографическая ситуация в России характеризуется высокой преждевременной смертностью, уменьшением рождаемости, снижением средней продолжительности жизни, что в сочетании с ростом числа лиц пожилого и старческого возраста ведет к депопуляции населения и дефициту трудового потенциала. В последнее десятилетие достижения в теоретической и прикладной геронтологии позволили осуществлять целенаправленную регуляцию возрастных изменений. Исходя из этого, одной из приоритетных задач современной геронтологии является профилактика ускоренного старения и возрастной патологии, направленная на увеличение средней продолжительности жизни, сохранение активного долголетия и достижение видового предела жизни человека. Значительное увеличение средней продолжительности жизни животных безусловно было связано с тем, что низкомолекулярные пептиды, выделенные из эпифиза и тимуса, обладали достоверной противоопухолевой активностью, что выражалось в резком снижении в 1,4-7 раз частоты возникновения как спонтанных, так и индуцированных облучением или канцерогенами злокачественных опухолей у животных. Следует подчеркнуть, что этот беспрецедентный уровень уменьшения количества опухолей был отмечен в подавляющем большинстве экспериментов. Результаты этих исследований, учитывая общий механизм канцерогенеза у всех млекопитающих, имеют огромное практическое значение для профилактики опухолей у людей.

Применение пептидных препаратов тимуса (лекарственных препаратов «тималин», «тимоген», «вилон») оказалось эффективным при многих заболеваниях и состояниях, связанных со снижением клеточного иммунитета и фагоцитоза: при лучевой терапии и химиотерапии у онкологических больных, при острых и хронических инфекционно-воспалительных заболеваниях, использовании массивных доз антибиотиков, при угнетении процессов регенерации в посттравматическом и послеоперационном периоде в случаях различных осложнений, при облитерирующих заболеваниях артерий конечностей, при хронических заболеваниях печени, предстательной железы, в комплексном лечении некоторых форм туберкулеза, лепры. Значительным нейропротекторным действием обладает пептидный препарат «кортексин», выделенный из коры головного мозга. Этот препарат улучшает процессы памяти, стимулирует репаративные процессы в головном мозге, ускоряет восстановление его функций после стрессорных воздействий. Препарат эффективно применяется при черепно-мозговой травме, нарушениях мозгового кровообращения, вирусных и бактериальных нейроинфекциях, энцефалопатиях различного генеза, острых и хронических энцефалитах и энцефаломиелитах. Особенно высокая эффективность пептидного препарата мозга отмечена у лиц пожилого и старческого возраста. Яркой клинической эффективностью обладает пептидный препарат «ретиналамин», выделенный из сетчатки глаза животных. Этот уникальный препарат был создан нами впервые в медицинской практике и применен у больных при различных дегенеративных заболеваниях сетчатки, в том числе при диабетической ретинопатии, инволюционной дистрофии, пигментной дегенерации сетчатки и при другой патологии. Особенно важной явилась способность препарата восстанавливать электрическую активность сетчатки, что, как правило, коррелировало с улучшением функции зрения. Отчетливый эффект у больных отмечен после применения пептидного препарата «простатилен» («сампрост»), выделенного из предстательной железы животных. Препарат оказался эффективным при хроническом простатите, аденоме, осложнениях после операций на предстательной железе, а также при различных возрастных нарушениях функции простаты. Многолетнее изучение и применение пептидных препаратов эпифиза, тимуса, мозга, сетчатки, простаты показало их высокую эффективность у пациентов различных возрастных групп, но особенная эффективность была отмечена у лиц старшего возраста (старше 60 лет). Безусловным достоинством этой группы пептидных биорегуляторов-геропротекторов является отсутствие каких-либо побочных реакций. Необходимо подчеркнуть, что в течение 26 лет препараты получили более 15 млн человек с различной патологией. Эффективность применения составляла в среднем 75-85%.

Заключение​
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Исследование механизмов старения показало, что в основе этого процесса лежит инволюция основных органов и тканей организма, которая сопровождается снижением синтеза белка в клетках. Выделенные из органов молодых животных пептиды при введении в организм способны индуцировать синтез белка, что сопровождается восстановлением основных жизненных функций. Установлено, что длительное применение у животных (как правило со второй половины жизни) пептидов - как выделенных из органов, так и синтезированных аналогов, приводит к достоверному увеличению средней продолжительности жизни до 25-30% и достижению видового предела.​
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Старение – эволюционно детерминированный биологический процесс возрастного изменения структуры хроматина и экспрессии генов, следствием которого является нарушение синтеза регуляторных тканеспецифических пептидов в различных органах и тканях. В связи с этим, дальнейшее изучение механизмов геропротекторного действия пептидов открывает новые перспективы в развитии концепции пептидной регуляции старения, , возрастной патологии и увеличении периода активного долголетия человека.​
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О том, как прожить 120 лет. Почему пептидные препараты используются даже юными спортсменками Олимпийской сборной России по художественной гимнастике. Об этом тренер Ирина Винер и профессор Владимир Хавинсон.

Лекция Л.А.Остапенко

Давид Ригерт - Руку на сердце про анаболические средства

Аптечка для спортивного врача

 

Аптечка для спортивного врача 

	ПЕРЕЧЕНЬ МЕДИКАМЕНТОВ
1.	Анальгин 50%-2,0
2.	Лидокаин 2%-2,0
3.	Кетанол 2,0
4.	Но-шпа
5.	Адреналин 2,0
6.	Эуфиллин 2,4% -5,0
7.	Глюкоза 40%- 5,0
8.	Физ. раствор 0,9% -250,0
9.	Гидрокортизон
10.	Кордиамин
11.	Валидол
12.	Кофеин
13.	Диклофенак
14.	Тавегил
15.	Нитроглицерин
16.	Корвалол
17.	Валокордин
18.	Рибоксин
19.	Цитрамон
20.	Пентальгин
21.	Парацетамол
22.	Бисептол
23.	Жгут кровоостанавливающий
24.	Андипал
25.	Фастум-гель
26.	Троксевазин
27.	Охлаждающие пакеты «Снежок»
28.	Охлаждающий спрей
29.	Йод 5%
30.	Перекись водорода 3%
31.	Нашатырный спирт
32.	Р-р бриллиантовой зелени
33.	Спирт 70%
34.	Вода для иньекций
35.	Лейкопластырь
36.	Бактерицидный пластырь
37.	Бинты
38.	Вата
39.	Марля
40.	Шприцы
41.	Перчатки
42.	Система для переливания
43.	Роторасширитель
44.	Языкодержатель
45.	Пинцет
46.	Ножницы
47.	Загубник для искусственного дыхания
48.	Глазная пипетка

Аптечка для спортивного зала

	ПЕРЕЧЕНЬ МЕДИКАМЕНТОВ
1.	Но-шпа в табл.
2.	Кордиамин
3.	Валидол
4.	Тавегил
5.	Корвалол
6.	Пентальгин
7.	Парацетамол
8.	Бисептол
9.	Жгут кровоостанавливающий
10.	Охлаждающие пакеты «Снежок»
11.	Охлаждающий спрей
12.	Йод 5%
13.	Перекись водорода 3%
14.	Нашатырный спирт
15.	Р-р бриллиантовой зелени
16.	Лейкопластырь
17.	Бактерицидный пластырь
18.	Бинты
19.	Вата
20.	Марля
21.	Перчатки
22.	Роторасширитель
23.	Языкодержатель
24.	Пинцет
25.	Ножницы
26.	Загубник для искусственного дыхания
27.	Глазная пипетка
28.	Шины

Insulin in History and Practice

 

September 4, 2013

by Mike Arnold

Progression is Inevitable

By their very nature, competitive sports provide a medium for transcending the physical accomplishments of our fellow man. In those who participate at the upper echelon of any sport, the push for physical supremacy can be all-consuming. Often, these individual are willing to go to any lengths to ensure victory. They employ the most advanced training programs, enlist the help of dietary experts, engage in intensive mental preparation, and frequently utilize performance enhancing drugs. They will use anything and everything at their disposal in order to become the best they can be, even if it means risking fame, fortune, and future participation in the sport they love.

We need not look any farther than the television set to see evidence of this. Not long ago Lance Armstrong was stripped of his 7 Tour de France titles. Several of the league’s top baseball players have been suspended and just recently, an entire nation (Haiti) was threatened with being unable to compete at the upcoming Summer Olympics if its athletes continue flopping random drug tests. The point here is not to bring attention to drug testing, but to demonstrate the unyielding commitment of these athletes to physical excellence, as they strive to rise to the top of their respective sport.

Therefore, it should come as no surprise to see insulin take up such a prominent role in competitive bodybuilding. In a sport governed by sheer size, its inclusion makes perfect sense. An ideal companion to AAS, insulin helps build additional muscle tissue at minimal out of pocket expense and according to most, has been largely responsible (along with GH) for the size explosion we witnessed during the 1990’s. Since that time, insulin’s popularity has only grown. What was once viewed as a final resort for the professional BB’r is now considered standard fare among PED users. No longer taboo, it has permeated BB’ing culture all the way down to the local level; to the point where even beginners are including it in their programs. Like it or not, insulin has made its mark and is here to stay.

How it Works

In short, BB’rs use insulin because it promotes muscle growth, increases muscle fullness, and enhances recovery ability, although the manner in which it accomplishes these things is a bit more complex than it might seem. In reality, insulin works to build muscle tissue both directly and indirectly through multiple, distinct mechanisms. Perhaps the most widely recognized of these is its ability to stimulate the uptake of both glucose and aminos acids into muscle cells. This what BB’rs commonly refer to as nutrient shuttling and it is responsible for most of the immediate effects we experience after administering an injection of insulin.

While the body can accomplish this task on its own, it is limited in the amount of insulin it can produce over a given period of time. Through the use of exogenous insulin, we are able to induce a state of hyperinsulinemia that, when in the presence of sufficient carbohydrates and aminos acids, results in an increased rate if of both protein synthesis and glycogen deposition. These effects manifest outwardly through increased muscle fullness, improved muscle recovery, and enhanced growth.

In addition to increased nutrient transport, insulin also works to build muscle tissue by inhibiting muscle protein breakdown. The body is in constant state of flux between breakdown and synthesis, as it attempts to maintain balance between these two necessary and inter-dependent processes. The more we can shift this balance in favor of synthesis, the more rapidly we can accumulate muscle tissue. While this effect is rather short-lived (with shorter acting types of insulin), it manifests quickly and continues to exert this effect as long as insulin is present.

While the majority of insulin’s growth promoting effects are mediated through indirect mechanisms, it ability to increase protein content via DNA transcription and RNA translation is the exception. However, this mechanism is not thoroughly understood, as a proportionately larger amount of research has focused on glucose and lipid metabolism. This is understandable, given the common and potentially life-threatening conditions associated with some of these physiological processes (e.g. diabetes).

Lastly, insulin directly increases IGF-1 bioavailability by reducing IGFBP (insulin growth factor binding protein) concentrations. In the same way that free testosterone is regulated by SHBG, free IGF-1 is also regulated by binding proteins; six of them, to be exact (IGFBP-1 to IGFBP-6). The good news is that insulin inhibits the production of both IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-2. Therefore, chronically elevated insulin levels may lead to a reduction of circulating IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-2 concentrations, consequently increasing IGF-I bioavailability.

Conflicting Advice

While there is no doubt that our understanding of this drug and its potential applications have advanced by leaps and bounds over the last 20 years, the BB’ing community’s opinions on how to best use this drug to build muscle still vary substantially. If anything, I would say that we are even further away from reaching an agreement than we were 2 decades ago. This is attributable to, at least in part, the hormone’s diverse range of affects on our physiology, its interactions with other hormones, and differences of opinion as to what constitutes the ideal balance of side effects to results.

We have seen many different approaches/methods employed by BB’rs over the years, with each possessing its own advantages and shortcomings. When insulin first announced its presence in the early 90’s, programs were simplistic and failed to capitalize on some of insulin’s most fundamental pathways for enhancing muscle growth. As with any new PED, it takes some time to figure out the best way to use it and with Humulin being the first form of biosynthetic insulin to be released to market (and the only type of insulin available at the time), real-world research was still in its infantile stages. At that time, most BB’rs were unaware of insulin’s full range of beneficial effects on protein metabolism and because of its association with diabetes, the drug was viewed almost solely as a glucose transport agent.

Because of this, most chose to administer insulin in combination with carbohydrate post-workout, while little attention was given to protein/amino acid supplementation. There was one primary criteria used for determining which carbohydrate source was used; its rate of digestion. With dextrose being the most rapidly digesting natural carb available and with the majority of people believing that simple sugars were the ideal post-workout carb, dextrose became the carb of choice for insulin using BB’rs everywhere. It was not uncommon to see some BB’rs consume as much as 150 grams of dextrose or more within a few minutes, in an attempt to facilitate maximum glycogen replenishment.

muscletech-cell-tech-osmotic-122211Shortly thereafter things began to change. Through an increased awareness of the actions of insulin within the body and the release of both fast & slow acting insulin’s, BB’rs were no longer content to follow the out-dated recommendations of the early to mid 90’s. They began openly experimenting with variables such as timing, frequency of use, and various nutrient combinations. During that time some of the more well known coaches popularized certain methods of use; a few of which I will touch on before bringing us up to the present.

One program which took a big step forward around the turn of the millennium and which was widely acceptance by both pro and amateur BB’rs alike was a method originally devised by Chad Nicholls. It involved using insulin 3X daily, but only 2 days per week for a total of 6 weekly injections. These injections were administered on a BBr’s training days; particularly when training a weaker bodypart. Chad did not like dextrose, instead preferring to have his clients consume a combination of protein, complex carbs, and simple carbs post-injection. As a result, his athletes enjoyed greater muscle fullness and enhanced protein synthesis in comparison to those who relied solely on dextrose. Chad was also one of the first gurus to address the issue of self-inflicted insulin resistance in relation to exogenous insulin use and develop a program specifically designed to stave off this deleterious effect.

As research continued to demonstrate the importance of pre and post-workout nutrition, many insulin proponents took note and began developing programs which placed greater emphasis on maximizing nutrient delivery during this critical time period. Milos Sarcev was one of the first well known coaches to expound on this idea and devise an entire training program around the use of pre/intra/post workout nutrition in conjunction with insulin.

Of course, there will always be those who subscribe to the more is better philosophy. Some have even recommended that insulin be used with every meal, 7 days per week, on a long-term basis. To the less educated this might sound like a good idea. They figure that insulin is like most other PEDs; that the more they use, the better their results will be and to a degree this is true. The positive effects of insulin are both dose & presence-dependent, but it is also true that chronic, long-term use at sufficient dosages is guaranteed to result in a barrage of physiological disturbances ranging from minor to serious. While initial results with this type of program are usually very good, such flagrant long-term disregard for the delicate feedback mechanisms in place will precipitate a chain of negative events leading to a decrease in results and a barrage of physical side effects. Fat gain, reduced Glut-4 expression, insulin resistance, and ultimately a pre-diabetic state…not to mention all the other negative effects that go along with this condition, are the eventual result.

However, this type of program can be used on a short-term basis to induce rapid gains in muscle size, while avoiding the negative effects listed above. Short bursts of about 1 week work well for this purpose…2 weeks, max, with the concomitant use of the appropriate insulin sensitizers. If one wishes to repeat this program, it should be followed by an off period of approximately equal length, during which time the use of insulin sensitizers is highly recommended.

A recently popularized method, one which has been advocated by both John Meadows (aka, “Mountain Dog”) and myself, revolves around the pre-workout use of insulin in conjunction with a detailed nutrition plan designed to flood the body with specific nutrients during the pre, intra, and post-workout windows. While John’s nutritional strategy varies slightly from my own, we are both strong advocates at using branched chain cyclic dextrins, along with some type of rapidly digesting protein, such as whey/casein hydrolysates. For those looking to limit their caloric intake, I often recommended substituting the hydrolysates for a combination of essential aminos acids and additional leucine, as this will supply the same basic building blocks in a rapidly digesting form. Another benefit of using aminos acids is a reduction in shake volume, which can be helpful for those who are not able to tolerate a large volume of liquid around their workout without becoming nauseous.

Putting it all Together

At this point you may be wondering about the best way to use insulin in order to achieve your goals, but instead of recommending a specific program I am going to provide some guidelines which will hopefully assist you in designing your own program based on your own goals, financial status, and comfort level with the drug. The following recommendations are compatible with the goal of muscle growth.

Insulin should be combined with some type of protein/aminos acids. This is absolutely essential for optimizing protein synthesis. By skipping this step, you will still be able to take advantage of insulin’s glucose transporting effects, but protein synthesis will be hindered.

Insulin should be combined with carbohydrate, particularly complex carbohydrate, as simple sugars alone do not lead to maximal glycogen restoration-muscle fullness.

Pre-workout is the single best time to administer insulin, as exercise improves insulin signaling, Glut-4 expression, and glycogen synthase activity. Therefore, any nutrients which are present at this time are more likely to be utilized for muscle growth and glycogen synthesis.

Pre-workout insulin should be combined with both pre- and post-workout protein/amino acid supplementation, as protein synthesis is increased in response to protein/amino acid supplementation during these times in comparison to the non-training period. Rapidly digesting proteins, such as whey, casein, and beef hydrolysates are an excellent choice at this time.

Pre-workout insulin should be combined with both pre- and post-workout carbohydrate supplementation, as glycogen synthesis is increased in response to carbohydrate supplementation during these times in comparison to the non-training period. Rapidly digesting complex carbs with a high molecular weight, such as Vitargo, Karbolyn, or the newer branched cyclic dextrins are an excellent choice at this time.

Supplements which depend on the presence of insulin for delivery to the target tissue (for example, creatine) should be present in the bloodstream at time insulin is active.

Insulin should be combined with growth hormone (if it is a part of your program), as insulin potentiates the anabolic actions of growth hormone.

Chronic insulin use significantly reduces Glut-4 expression leading to insulin resistance. Glut-4 is a protein responsible for the transportation of glucose & aminos into muscle cells, so if adequate Glut-4 is not present, the body cannot properly utilize the nutrients it has been provided with. The result is a diminished growth response. Signs of Glut-4 deficiency are reduced insulin pumps and hyperglycemia.

Insulin sensitizers, such as Glucophage (Metformin), help prevent/reverse insulin mediated insulin resistance. When used on-cycle, they may allow the BB’r to increase his dose and/or frequency of use while continuing to retain an acceptable degree of insulin sensitivity. Or, for the more conservative individual, insulin sensitizers can be used to help extract maximum benefit from the insulin they do use, allowing them to get better results from less.

Is Insulin right for Me?

This is a decision everyone must make for themselves. Some hold the position that insulin should be used only by professional athletes who stand to make a living from their chosen sport. Others see things differently, believing that anyone who wants to improve their physique should be entitled to the same advantages. There is also disagreement regarding how long a BB’r should be involved in the sport before turning to insulin. Some feel that that a BB’r should wait until they have achieved an advanced level of development, while others think it is fine for anyone to use, regardless of their current development.

Another issue which has been on the table over the last couple years is the danger-safety factor. While some of the dangers of this drug have certainly been exaggerated in recent years, the fact remains that insulin can (and does) kill. With so many differing viewpoints, who should we believe? Some have claimed insulin is a safe, benign drug incapable of causing any real harm and that you would have to be a complete moron to ever die from it, while others have painted it as being so dangerous that you would have to be near crazy to even contemplate using it.

While my view on this drug sits its somewhere in the middle of these two extremes, I will say the following. Proper education is an absolute prerequisite for use. The responsible user who is thoroughly educated with considerable experience is much less likely to encounter any serious problems. For these individuals, the drug is fairly safe. Still, some degree of risk will always remain, as we cannot completely discount the possibility of an accident or mistake taking place (i.e. grabbing your bottle of GH out of the fridge at night, yet failing to realize you accidentally injected Humalog instead, etc) or circumstances arising which are outside our control. These types of accidents/circumstances are rare, but they can and do happen.

When it comes to the irresponsible, uneducated individual with little to no experience, it is a completely different story. In these hands, the possibility of experiencing an adverse event rises considerably. These people have no business using insulin. There is no denying that, as a whole, our community’s views on insulin have changed drastically over the last decade. This practice, once derided by most has now been widely accepted. I suppose this is just the way it is. Bodybuilding is an extreme sport and those who are attracted to it have never been part of the play it safe crowd. Only a BB’r would look at a drug designed to keep diabetics alive and get all excited about using it on themselves. The joy of being a BB’r…I love it.

Is the Effect of Fish Oil on Fat Loss Overblown?

 

October 21, 2013 

by Monica Mollica

In a previous article “Fish Oil for fat Loss” I outlined studies showing a potential fat loss effect of fish oil. Recently, a small meta-analysis including data from four studies [2-5], concluded :

“None of the studies reported a statistically significant effect of fish oil treatment relative to placebo. Further analysis showed no relationship between body weight change with intervention duration, or n-3 dosage, nor any funnel effect with study sample size. This analysis does not support the hypothesis that daily n-3 oil supplementation reduces body weight and BMI in the overweight and obese.”

First, drawing such a definitive conclusion based on data from only 4 studies, that in addition are heterogeneous, is misleading.

Second, the studies didn’t provide enough information to allow the meta-analysis to adjust for factors that might abrogate the fat loss effect of the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, found in fatty fish and fish oil.
Factors abrogating the anti-obesity effect of omega-3 fatty acids.

The macronutrient composition of the diet affects the effects of fish oil [6, 7]. For example, the amount
and type of carbohydrates, the levels of omegs-6 fats, linoleic acid in particular, in the background diet might influence the anti-obesity effect of n-3 PUFAs [7]. Also, medications have been shown to interfere with the effects of omega-3 fatty acids [8, 9].

However, none of the studies included in the meta-analysis provided detailed data on diet composition. The following was the information given:

Krebs 2006 [4];
Low-fat high-carb energy restricted diet – 50% carbs, 35% fat, 15% protein.

Hill 2007 [3];
All subjects were instructed to maintain their normal diet during the study. If not asked to exercise as part of the intervention, subjects were instructed to maintain their normal level of physical activity. Data on diet composition not provided.

Kabir 2007 [5];
43% carbs, 37% fat, 20% protein.
The subjects (diabetics) were asked to keep their initial caloric intake and nutrient proportions constant throughout the study. Patients were asked to complete a 7-d food diary just before the start of the treatment period. They were recommended to keep their initial caloric intake and nutrient proportions constant throughout the study. To determine compliance with the dietary recommendations, the patients were asked to keep another food diary to be completed the last 7 d of each treatment period. Even if this method (7-d food diary) of measuring food intake might slightly underestimate true calorie intake, the same method was used before and after treatments, and hence the results can be compared.

Kratz 2009 [2];
Non-energy restricted ad libitum diet.
The omega-3 diet contained 1.4% of energy in the form of marine omega-3s (EPA + DPA + DHA), and 2.2% of energy in the form of α-linolenic acid (18:3n-3) from plant oils. The control diet provided 0% of energy in the form of marine omega-3s and 0.5% of energy as alpha-linolenic acid.

Conclusion

As discussed in a review published in 2010, the lack of consensus on the fat loss effect of fish oil in human intervention studies is mostly related to study design [10]. This review concluded that human intervention trials indicate potential benefits of long-chain omega-3 supplementation, especially when combined with energy-restricted diets or exercise, but more well-controlled and long-term trials are needed to confirm these effects and identify mechanisms of action [10].

Many factors have to be taken into consideration when evaluating the effect of fish oil on fat loss; dose (both total omega-3 and individual omega-3 fatty acids), ratio of EPA to DHA in the supplement, background diet, calorie restriction versus non-calorie restriction, duration etc. As of this writing, there aren’t enough studies on which to draw a definitive conclusion, as was done in the meta-analysis. If the meta-analysis had added as an inclusion criterion “studies that report data on confounding factors” there would be no meta-analysis.

www.trainergize.com

About the Author:
————————————–

Monica Mollica has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Nutrition from the University of Stockholm, Sweden, and is an ISSA Certified Personal Trainer. She works a dietary consultant, health journalist and writer for www.BrinkZone.com, and is also a web designer and videographer.

Monica has admired and been fascinated by muscular and sculptured strong athletic bodies since childhood, and discovered bodybuilding as an young teenager. Realizing the importance of nutrition for maximal results in the gym, she went for a BSc and MSc with a major in Nutrition at the University.

During her years at the University she was a regular contributor to the Swedish bodybuilding magazine BODY, and she has published the book (in Swedish) “Functional Foods for Health and Energy Balance”, and authored several book chapters in Swedish publications.

It was her insatiable thirst for knowledge and scientific research in the area of bodybuilding and health that brought her to the US. She has completed one semester at the PhD-program “Exercise, Nutrition and Preventive Health” at Baylor University Texas, at the department of Health Human Performance and Recreation, and worked as an ISSA certified personal trainer. Today, Monica is sharing her solid experience by doing dietary consultations and writing about topics related to health, fitness, bodybuilding, anti-aging and longevity.

References:

1. Harden, C.J., et al., Preliminary meta-analysis of the effect of fish oil on body weight and body mass index in overweight and obese subjects does not support a link. Proc Nutr Soc, 2013. 72: p. E283.
2. Kratz, M., et al., Dietary n-3-polyunsaturated fatty acids and energy balance in overweight or moderately obese men and women: a randomized controlled trial. Nutr Metab (Lond), 2009. 6: p. 24.
3. Hill, A.M., et al., Combining fish-oil supplements with regular aerobic exercise improves body composition and cardiovascular disease risk factors. Am J Clin Nutr, 2007. 85(5): p. 1267-74.
4. Krebs, J.D., et al., Additive benefits of long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and weight-loss in the management of cardiovascular disease risk in overweight hyperinsulinaemic women. Int J Obes (Lond), 2006. 30(10): p. 1535-44.
5. Kabir, M., et al., Treatment for 2 mo with n 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids reduces adiposity and some atherogenic factors but does not improve insulin sensitivity in women with type 2 diabetes: a randomized controlled study. Am J Clin Nutr, 2007. 86(6): p. 1670-9.
6. Hao, Q., et al., High-glycemic index carbohydrates abrogate the antiobesity effect of fish oil in mice. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, 2012. 302(9): p. E1097-112.
7. Madsen, L. and K. Kristiansen, Of mice and men: Factors abrogating the antiobesity effect of omega-3 fatty acids. Adipocyte, 2012. 1(3): p. 173-176.
8. de Lorgeril, M., et al., Recent findings on the health effects of omega-3 fatty acids and statins, and their interactions: do statins inhibit omega-3? BMC Med, 2013. 11: p. 5.
9. Eussen, S.R., et al., Effects of n-3 fatty acids on major cardiovascular events in statin users and non-users with a history of myocardial infarction. Eur Heart J, 2012. 33(13): p. 1582-8.
10. Buckley, J.D. and P.R. Howe, Long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids may be beneficial for reducing obesity-a review. Nutrients, 2010. 2(12): p. 1212-30.