Action of Essential Fatty Acids on the Expression of Antioxidant Genes and Athletic Performance

University of the Balearic Islands

Status: Completed

Conditions: Training Season; Oxidative Stress; Athletic Performance; Exercise; Antioxidant Capabilities

Treatments: Dietary Supplement: Docosahexaenoic acid diet supplementation; Dietary Supplement: Placebo supplementation

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02177383

IB 994/08 PI

Details and patient eligibility

About

There are conflicting evidences of the effects of dietary supplementation with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on athletic performance. The investigators working hypothesis is based on the polyunsaturated fatty acids, given its pro-oxidative character and also by its action on transcription factors can modulate the antioxidant response and oxidative damage induced by physical activity.The overall objective of the study is to establish situations improving athletic performance and study the oxidative balance by manipulation of feeding patterns and consumption of nutritional supplements and investigate the involved mechanisms.

Full description

There are conflicting evidences of the effects of dietary supplementation with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on athletic performance. The described effects of PUFAs on the fat metabolism may be modulated by the expression and activity of transcription factor genes, suppressing or expressing genes associated with the synthesis and oxidation of fats and in oxidative stress and inflammation.

The investigators' working hypothesis is based on the polyunsaturated fatty acids, given its pro-oxidative character and also by its action on transcription factors can modulate the antioxidant response and oxidative damage induced by physical activity.

In the field of professional sports and leisure use of food and / or antioxidants in the belief that these elements prevent muscle damage is very established. Most studies in athletes supplemented with antioxidant nutrients revealed no significant effects on physical performance, but it has shown that supplements protect against tissue damage induced by exercise. Recent studies have reported that over 35% of the Spanish people eat diets low or very low quality, which is clearly shown that over 10% of Spaniards have poor intakes (<2/3 IDR) riboflavin (men) , folate (women), vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin D and vitamin E.

The overall objective of the study is to establish situations improving athletic performance and study the oxidative balance by manipulation of feeding patterns and consumption of nutritional supplements and investigate the involved mechanisms. The aim of this study is to establish scientific basis for design functional foods improving athletic performance and health and avoiding the negative consequences of the oxidative damage induced by overexertion.

Enrollment: 15 patients

Sex: Male

Ages: 16 to 35 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Ages eligible for study: 16 to 35 years
• Genders eligible for study: Male
• Equilibrate diet
• Physical activity of 1-2 hours daily 5-7 days weekly.
• Body mass index (19-25 kg/m2)

Exclusion criteria

• Smokers

Trial design

Primary purpose: Basic Science

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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15 participants in 2 patient groups, including a placebo group

Docosahexaenoic acid

Experimental group

Description:

1 liter/day of one experimental beverage (containing 0.2% olive oil + 0.6% DHA-S Martek) provides 1.14 g DHA/daily

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: Docosahexaenoic acid diet supplementation

Olive oil

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

1 liter/day of placebo beverage (containing 0.8% olive oil)

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: Placebo supplementation