“It has been frequently observed that older adults exhibit reduced resiliency to muscle injury and disuse compared to younger adults, even when the magnitude of injury is no greater. Thus, it is likely that impaired recuperative capacity plays a substantial role in the development of age-related weakness and physical disability. Treatments that could enhance recovery might thus have great potential to improve health and wellness in old age.”
“Indeed, a scoping review identified fish oil as one of only 16 micronutrient supplements with the potential to improve musculoskeletal health in ageing. Moreover, unlike several other dietary supplements, fish oil does NOT appear to blunt muscle responses to exercise and would thus be potentially equally useful in active and sedentary older adults.”
“This preliminary data suggests a potential role for dietary fish oil in promoting recovery of ageing skeletal muscle function following mechanical injury. In addition, they provide proof-of-concept for at least one mechanism (improved sarcolemma [muscle cell] membrane resealing) for post-injury benefits of fish oil.”
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Omega-3 fatty acids are essential nutrients meaning your body cannot produce them and thus you must consume them on a daily basis in order to have sufficient amounts for healthy structure and function. The average Western Diet is dangerously deficient in Omega-3 fatty acids therefore daily supplementation is the best and most convenient way to ensure sufficient intake.
Omega-3 fatty acids do not just improve recovery from and reduce the risk of muscle injury; they also reduce the risk of stroke, reduce pain and inflammation, improve immune function, reduce depression and anxiety, improve blood sugar, improve brain function, and improve overall health and function.
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO
You need to supplement with a high quality, contaminant-free, full fatty acid complement Omega-3 fatty acid fish oil like Nordic Naturals Pro Omega Fish Oil (available here at Be Healthy Chiropractic Wellness Centre)
Fish oil is one essential nutrient that EVERYONE should be consuming daily
Reference:
Russ et al. (2024) Fish Oil Supplement Mitigates Muscle Injury in Vivo and In Vitro. Nutrients 16, 3511. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16203511.
Thanks to Dr James Chestnut at www.eatwellmovewellthinkwell.com. for his research and contribution to this article