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

Ageing is associated with progressive physical function loss, changes in body composition by increase in fat mass and loss of muscle mass. These can lead to independence loss, frailty and consequently failing to carry on with activities of daily living, mental and cognitive decline [1]. Variety of assessment tools are currently available to asses physical function decline in older people, e.g. walking speed, hand grip strength, chair rises, knee extension force which are predictors of physical capacity, falls and hospitalization [2, 3], morbidity, and mortality [4, 5]. These physical function assessments are also highlighted as significant components of sarcopenia [6] and Fried frailty definition [7]. Similarly, muscle mass loss in older adults has been suggested as a clinical predictor of these adverse health outcomes [8, 9].

Investigating the role of diet and nutrients in preventing the onset of sarcopenia, deterioration of physical function and muscle mass loss are of high public health interest, mainly owing to the possibility of altering these factors via related interventions [10, 11]. Among the components of a healthy diet, omega-3 PUFA are under focus in ageing research. The three main omega-3 PUFA are alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Humans are unable to synthesize ALA, and as a result, it is essential to the diet. ALA is found mainly in plant oils such as flaxseed, soybean, and canola oils, whereas DHA and EPA are found in fish and other seafood [12]. These fatty acids and their food sources such as fish are embedded in public health recommendations for their beneficial health effects including anti-inflammatory properties [13], and they are suggested to have a role with multiple health outcomes [14] including muscle health [15, 16]. Noteworthy that WHO consortium on healthy ageing 2020 suggested that more research into role of omega-3 PUFA and healthy ageing are needed [17].

Muscle mass is maintained by a balance between muscle protein synthesis and breakdown. It has been proposed that n-3 PUFAs may be linked to muscle synthesis by enhancing the muscle protein synthesis or mTOR pathway. Finding from experimental studies, suggest that total EPA and DHA contributed to muscle protein synthesis and muscle anabolic stimulation [18]. In addition, in vivo studies have reported the changes in skeletal muscle phospholipid composition which can increase the amino acid uptake by these cells, triggering muscle anabolism [18, 19].

An important cause of loss of muscle mass and strength with ageing is low grade inflammation. A systematic review and meta-analysis by Tuttle et al., indicated that higher levels of circulating inflammatory cytokines are associated with lower skeletal muscle strength and muscle mass. Hence, a plausible pathway of dietary omega-3 PUFAs in prevention loss of muscle mass and strength can be reducing low grade inflammation [20‐22] in older people.

Observational studies provided evidence on the positive association between plasma phospholipid PUFAs with knee extension and muscle mass [23], total omega-3, DHA, EPA and ALA intakes were positively associated with peak force (all individuals and men) in crude model in study by Rossato et al. (2020) [24], which did not remain significant in the adjusted model. A large cohort study also showed an indirect positive association for higher intake of fatty fish (rich source of omega-3) and higher in grip strength [25]. Most previous studies used single muscle strength outcomes, whereas the current study provides further evidence by studying the association for omega-3 PUFAs in relation to multiple physical function measures. In addition, the systematic review and meta-analysis indicated lack of sufficient data on omega-3 with muscle mass and strength [23]. The study hypothesis was that higher dietary ALA, EPA, DHA and total omega-3 PUFA intake associate with better clinical markers of muscle function and muscle mass and lower fart mass among older women aged 65–72 years.

The mean age was 67.8 ± 1.8 (n = 554), mean BMI was 27.4 kg/m² and 43% of population had multimorbidity at the baseline. Analysis of baseline demographic and selected variables from self-reported questionnaires did not show significant differences according to quartiles of dietary omega-3 PUFA and ALA (Table 1). Among dietary intake variables higher omega-3 PUFA was associated with lower dietary calcium and higher vitamin D intake (Table 1). Higher ALA intake was associated with lower protein intake (g/day), calcium intake (mg/day) and vitamin D intake (μg/day). Table 2 presents results for the dietary omega-3 intakes, alpha-linolenic acid (g/day) 1.4 (0.7), eicosapentaenoic acid (g/day) 0.12 (0.1), docosahexaenoic acid (g/day) 0.28 (0.3).

Table 3 presents the association of physical function and body composition for omega-3 PUFA and ALA quartiles. After controlling for selected confounders, higher quartile of omega-3 PUFA and ALA were associated with higher SPBB score (P = 0.020 and P = 0.010, respectively), longer one leg stance (P = 0.050 and P = 0.035, respectively), faster walking speed 10 m (P = 0.048 and P = 0.005, respectively), and lower frequency of women with inability to squat to the ground (P = 0.014 and P = 0.004, respectively). Additionally, higher quartile for ALA was associated with lower fat mass (P = 0.001), and higher grip strength (P = 0.047).

Table 4 shows results for the linear regression analysis controlling for selected confounders (age, energy intake, protein intake, dietary vitamin D, dietary calcium, BMI, hormone therapy, smoking, osteoporosis, alcohol consumption, physical activity hour/per week and intervention group). Both omega-3 PUFA and ALA were positively and significantly associated with SPPB (β = 0.108, P = 0.039 and β = 0.118, P = 0.034, respectively), one leg stance (β = 0.102, P = 0.041 and β = 0.119, P = 0.010, respectively), walking speed (β = 0.110, P = 0.028 and β = 0.113, P = 0.047, respectively), and with lower inability to squat to ground (β = 0.110, P = 0.028 and β = 0.112, P = 0.027, respectively). Also, ALA intake was positively associated with knee extension force (β = 0.075, P = 0.037) and inversely associated with fat mass (β = − 0.081, P = 0.034). Similar associations were observed using 1-SD increment of omega-3 PUFA, ALA, EPA and DHA dietary intake (data not shown).

The main result of the present cross-sectional study was that dietary intake of ALA and total omega-3 PUFA were positively associated with physical function assessments, including faster walking speed 10 m, better performance at one leg stance, ability to squat to the ground and SPPB. Higher ALA quartile was also associated with greater grip strength and lower fat mass. Findings showed no statistically significant association for dietary EPA and DHA with physical function assessments.

Although previous studies reported association between omega-3 PUFA intake with walking speed [31, 32], peak force and knee extension [33]. Robinson et al. found that fatty fish intake was the largest predictor of hand grip strength [34]. Although not directly this suggests that omega-3 PUFA may at least partially explain this association. In a cross-sectional study among French community-dwelling older adults, a higher proportion of the omega-3 PUFAs EPA and DHA in plasma was associated with a higher gait speed [35]. Similar cross-sectional result was reported among 1273 older adults involved in the InCHIANTI study, significant positive association between omega-3 PUFA with the faster completion of a 7-m walking test [36]. Recent study by Rossato et al. [37] showed that the intake of total omega-3 PUFA was positively associated with peak force in older men but not in women. The present study complemented the previous findings in only women, showing where positive association for total omega-3 and ALA was detected with a wider range of physical function outcomes including positive association with one leg stance, ability to squat and grip strength and SPPB. In contrary, the study by Fougere [31] among 400 participants aged 75.2 (± 4.3) years, reported negative association between high levels of baseline red blood cell omega-3 PUFAs and SPPB, the reason for this negative findings was partially explained by the ceiling effect as the mean SPPB was considered particularly high (10.7 out of 12) and a narrow range could reduce that statistical power, whereas in present study SPPB mean was 7.7 out of 12.

Robust assessments indicated in the RCTs for direct effects omega-3 PUFAs on muscle mass and function in the older adult population are scarce. Findings of study by Smith et al. showed that six months omega-3 PUFA therapy in sixty healthy 60- to 85-year-old men and women, increased thigh muscle volume, and handgrip strength, and tended to increase average isokinetic power compared to control group (receiving corn oil) [38]. Another RCT of omega 3 fatty acids supplementation showed no statistically significant differences either in muscle mass or in the hand grip and time up and go tests compared to control group [39]. Identifying the seldom effect of EPA and DHA on muscle mass and strength in the elderly is not feasible based on limited studies, however, a recent meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) found that supplementation with both types of n-3 PUFAs (EPA and/or DHA) elicits a ~ 0.33 kg increase in muscle mass. In addition, EPA and DHA have positive effect on the muscle protein synthesis or reducing oxidative stress in animal models [40, 41].

Currently lower extremity functions are the main indicator for mobility as a clinical screening tool [42], and it maybe that by ageing lower extremity function are more prone to change and perhaps influenced by external stimuli such as diet and exercise. ALA is a plant-derived n-3 fatty acid that mainly exists in flaxseed, soybean, perilla, walnut, and canola oils. In healthy adults, only 5–10% and 2–5% of ALA can be converted into EPA and DHA, respectively [43]. Also, the conversion of ALA to EPA and DHA in men is estimated to be as low as < 8% and < 4% respectively, whilst in women it is slightly higher at 21 and 9%, respectively [44]. Therefore, inter-individual variability should be considered in future studies and possible EPA and DHA supplementation.

Our study population is characterized by a high intake of omega-3 PUFA and ALA. The analysis of 3-day food record in this study showed that OSTPRE-FPS older women consumed EPA + DHA 0.41 ± 0.47 (g/day), ALA 1.4 ± 0.8 g/day (corresponding to 0.83% of the mean energy intake), and total omega-3 PUFA 8.8 ± 3.4 g/day, which all are within the range of recommendation by Nordic Nutrition recommendation 2012: minimum 1 E% from n-3 fatty acids and intake of EPA + DHA up to 200–250 mg/day.

There are multiple potential mechanisms which can explain the observed association in this study. Low grade inflammation has been considered as important trigger for inflammageing occurring with aging, which is a chronic state of slightly increased plasma levels of pro-inflammatory mediators, such as tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) [45]. Although the causative link between inflammatory markers and the risk for functional decline and mortality in elderly are hard to established, strong correlation between these two have been identified in previous studies [46]. Without pronouncing the causal links between inflammatory mediator and physical function, the current literature suggests that nutritional factors and particularly omega-3 PUFA are among the biological mechanism to reduce low grade inflammation which can play role to delay or prevent the onset of physical function decline [16, 47]. Results from a study indicated that ALA decreases the plasma level of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha and IL-6) in the elderly [40]. In addition, findings from experimental studies, although limited, suggest that omega-3 PUFA contribute to muscle protein synthesis anabolic pathway. This finding was consistent with the animal models and cell culture suggesting that omega-3 PUFA can enhance the muscle protein synthesis [48]. Current evidence also suggest that omega-3 PUFAs are potentially able to enhance the capacity of muscle cells for more permeable reaction with regard to necessary nutrients, such as glucose and amino acids [8]. The finding of this study on positive association for omega-3 PUFA, and ALA with physical function outcomes can be explained by these underlying mechanisms, however, further studies on effect of omega-3 PUFAon muscle function and muscle protein synthesis are required. Besides, the positive finding may be explained by the indirect relationship of omega-3 PUFA as they can improve blood lipid profile and heart function [49] which in turn are associated with healthy ageing [40, 50]. Previously, we have published that Mediterranean and Baltic Sea diets have positive associations with improved physical function and lean mass in this data [29]. We acknowledge that only for ALA the correlation coefficients relating to Mediterranean diet (r = 0.210, P < 0.001) and Baltic sea diet were statistically significant (r = 0.126, P = 0.004), but not with EPA or DHA. Even though we cannot exclude other confounding factors it maybe suggesting that role of fatty acids should be considered more in the whole dietary approach rather than single nutrients which may explain the inconsistent results of previous studies.

There are possible limitations to consider. We conducted secondary analysis on data from a RCT and the RCT was not originally designed to investigate the associations reported here from the baseline of the study. Our study population included only relatively healthy older women from a homogenous Finnish population, thus results may not be generalized to other older populations. We controlled for multiple confounders; the probability of other lifestyle factors related to higher omega-3 PUFA intake affecting physical functions cannot be excluded. Finally, since the nature of this study is observational and using self-assessment tools such as food diary as the data source, it might be that dietary intake including omega-3 PUFA can be over or underestimated.

In conclusion, this study in older women suggests that higher omega-3 PUFA and ALA s were positively associated with measures of physical capacity (walking speed 10 m, at one leg stance, ability to squat to the ground and SPPB and grip strength) but not with the muscle mass. However, there is considerable scope for future work to fully elucidate the potential of omega-3 PUFA in muscle function as well as on possible gender differences of omega-3 function in men and women.