Omega-3 Rich Fish Oil Reduces Fat Tissue and Improves Bone Health
Combined intake of conjugated linoleic acid and fish oil rich in Omega-3 could represent a new strategy to reduce fat tissue and improve bone mineral density. This was hypothesized by researchers at the Health Science Center of the University of Texas at San Antonio (USA) after a series of experiments conducted on mice. Their results were published in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry.
The relationship between fat and bones
During old age, the amount of fat present in the bone marrow is correlated with the skeletal bone mass: the higher the fat levels, the lower the bone mass. Although this relationship has been known for some time, there is no specific therapy to treat the accumulation of adipose tissue in the bone marrow.
From mice to humans
Researchers from the University of Texas evaluated the possibility of counteracting this phenomenon by administering conjugated linoleic acid, fish oil, or both supplements to mice. Experiments were conducted on a group of animals characterized by a mutation causing low bone density and increased susceptibility to obesity and type 2 diabetes. The study involved feeding 12-month-old animals with a diet enriched with:
- 0.5% conjugated linoleic acid;
- 5% fish oil (rich in Omega-3 fatty acids);
- both supplements.
As a control, mice of the same type were fed a diet consisting of 10% corn oil. After 6 months, researchers evaluated the following parameters:
- animal weight
- fat mass
- bone mineral density
- lean mass of the hind legs
Fish oil: an added value
The intake of conjugated linoleic acid alone was associated with lower weight and a reduction in fat mass. Conversely, this nutrient caused an increase in lean mass in the hind legs and bone mineral density. Despite these benefits, linoleic acid intake was associated with the development of fatty liver disease, a condition characterized by excessive fat accumulation in liver cells. Mice fed this supplement also showed increased insulin resistance, a phenomenon underlying the development of type 2 diabetes. Animals given fish oil, on the other hand, showed increased bone mineral density and improved insulin sensitivity. In these mice, no changes were observed in fat mass or lean mass levels. Animals fed both supplements simultaneously showed reduced weight and fat mass, increased bone mineral density and lean mass of the hind legs, and, at the same time, reduced liver enlargement and greater insulin sensitivity. Dual supplementation significantly reduced adipose tissue in the bone marrow and, in aging mice, inflammation and oxidative stress. According to the authors, these results demonstrate the potential of conjugated linoleic acid and Omega-3 rich oil for protecting bone health.
Source
1. Halade GV, Rahman MM, Williams PJ, Fernandes G, “Combination of conjugated linoleic acid with fish oil prevents age-associated bone marrow adiposity in C57Bl/6J mice”, J Nutr Biochem. 2011 May;22(5):459-69. Epub 2010 Jul 24
