Skeletal muscle protein turnover and mitochondrial responses to omega-3 fatty acid supplementation: an update
Skeletal muscle protein turnover and mitochondrial responses to omega-3 fatty acid supplementation: an update
Purpose of review: to critically review recent findings related to the effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on skeletal muscle, with a particular focus on skeletal muscle protein turnover and mitochondrial function.
Recent findings: evidence indicates that omega-3 fatty acids, particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), may support skeletal muscle health by influencing muscle protein synthesis (MPS), mitochondrial function, and redox balance. However, recent meta-analyses reveal inconsistent effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on basal and stimulus-induced MPS, likely due to methodological variability. Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation is seemingly more beneficial in clinical cohorts and preclinical data suggests omega-3s may reduce oxidative stress.
Summary: omega-3 fatty acid supplementation is a promising nutritional strategy for supporting skeletal muscle health, via the modulation of MPS and mitochondrial function. However, large-scale trials in a variety of healthy and clinical populations using sustainable sources of omega-3 fatty acids are required before a consensus on efficacy can be made.
Animals, Dietary Supplements, Docosahexaenoic Acids/pharmacology, Eicosapentaenoic Acid/pharmacology, Fatty Acids, Omega-3/pharmacology, Humans, Mitochondria, Muscle/drug effects, Mitochondria/drug effects, Muscle Proteins/metabolism, Muscle, Skeletal/metabolism, Oxidative Stress/drug effects
136-140
Hayden, Jack E.
639b8337-d475-4357-b2ab-b61a9bcee8ba
Deane, Colleen S.
3320532e-f411-4ea8-9a14-4a9f248da898
1 March 2026
Hayden, Jack E.
639b8337-d475-4357-b2ab-b61a9bcee8ba
Deane, Colleen S.
3320532e-f411-4ea8-9a14-4a9f248da898
Hayden, Jack E. and Deane, Colleen S.
(2026)
Skeletal muscle protein turnover and mitochondrial responses to omega-3 fatty acid supplementation: an update.
Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care, 29 (2), .
(doi:10.1097/MCO.0000000000001196).
Abstract
Purpose of review: to critically review recent findings related to the effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on skeletal muscle, with a particular focus on skeletal muscle protein turnover and mitochondrial function.
Recent findings: evidence indicates that omega-3 fatty acids, particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), may support skeletal muscle health by influencing muscle protein synthesis (MPS), mitochondrial function, and redox balance. However, recent meta-analyses reveal inconsistent effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on basal and stimulus-induced MPS, likely due to methodological variability. Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation is seemingly more beneficial in clinical cohorts and preclinical data suggests omega-3s may reduce oxidative stress.
Summary: omega-3 fatty acid supplementation is a promising nutritional strategy for supporting skeletal muscle health, via the modulation of MPS and mitochondrial function. However, large-scale trials in a variety of healthy and clinical populations using sustainable sources of omega-3 fatty acids are required before a consensus on efficacy can be made.
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skeletal_muscle_protein_turnover_and_mitochondrial.6
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e-pub ahead of print date: 7 January 2026
Published date: 1 March 2026
Keywords:
Animals, Dietary Supplements, Docosahexaenoic Acids/pharmacology, Eicosapentaenoic Acid/pharmacology, Fatty Acids, Omega-3/pharmacology, Humans, Mitochondria, Muscle/drug effects, Mitochondria/drug effects, Muscle Proteins/metabolism, Muscle, Skeletal/metabolism, Oxidative Stress/drug effects
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 509154
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/509154
ISSN: 1363-1950
PURE UUID: e3a3b368-3ef0-438c-a8fc-47e4ad07242f
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Date deposited: 11 Feb 2026 18:07
Last modified: 12 Feb 2026 03:14
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Contributors
Author:
Jack E. Hayden
Author:
Colleen S. Deane
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