The Effect of Omega-3 Supplementation on Total Antioxidant Capacity and Creatine Kinase in Non-athlete Young Males after Four Weeks of Endurance Exercise

Background: Omega-3 fatty acids have beneficial anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of four weeks of omega-3 supplementation on total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and creatine kinase (CK) in the non-athlete young males after four weeks of endurance exercise. Methods: Twenty non-athlete healthy young males were randomly divided into two groups: (1) supplementation group (n=10) and (2) placebo group (n=10). The supplementation group received omega-3 capsules (1000 mg) daily for four weeks, while the placebo group received the same amount of lactose. The subjects did exercise three sessions per week. In the first week, the intensity of exercise was equal to 65% of the maximum heart rate and its duration was 25 minutes per session. The intensity and the duration of the exercise were enhanced by 5% and 4 minutes each week, respectively. Blood samples were taken before and after the 4 week exercise and TAC and CK were measured. Results: TAC increased after four weeks just in the supplementation group (P=0.041), but there were no between group differences before and after exercise (P>0.05). Furthermore, There were no within and between group significant differences in CK in two groups (P>0.05). Conclusions: The results of this study indicated that supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids significantly increase TAC after four weeks. However, Omega-3 supplementation could not reduce the blood CK activity. Probably the low intensity of exercise in this study is one of the main reasons for lack of influence of omega-3 supplementation on muscle damage.