This week has been our fitness week. We have talked a lot of staying in shape through the diet, including the best foods for building muscle and amazing workout recipes. There is now mounting evidence from a variety of researchers showing that fish oil may reduce muscle soreness.
If you have ever had an intense workout, then you know about muscle soreness the morning after. Our muscles get sore when they work harder than normal, because microscopic damage is caused to the muscle fibers. When this damage heals, the soreness goes away, and your muscles get stronger and bigger with this constant breaking down and repairing.
Researchers from Baylor University in Texas conducted a trial to find how fish oil may help with muscle soreness.
In the study, women who participated in strength training were divided into two groups. One group was given fish oil to combat muscle soreness, while the other group was given a placebo.
At the end of the study, the women who took fish oil reported 33 percent to 42 percent less muscle soreness than the control group.
This Texas study was not the only one to show that fish oil may reduce muscle soreness.
Research from Tokyo reinforces fish oil evidence
Last year, a group of Tokyo researchers published a study on the same subject.
The male participants were given either fish oil or placebo, and were then assigned a weight lifting workout. At the end of the study, the fish oil group reported more range of motion and power, while also dealing with less muscle soreness than the control group.
Saint Louis University also confirms
Another study from Saint Louis University concluded with the following notes from the researchers:
“Based on these findings, omega-3 supplementation could provide benefits by minimizing post-exercise soreness and thereby facilitating exercise training in individuals ranging from athletes undergoing heavy conditioning to sedentary subjects or patients who are starting exercise programs or medical treatments such as physical therapy or cardiac rehabilitation.”
Reduced muscle soreness is not the only fitness benefit of fish oil. Last December, we reported on a study from Kyoto University, which showed that fish oil can help burn fat.
Note: None of the information in our website is intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any illness or disease. The content on our website is for educational purposes only.
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REFERENCES:
1. “Fish Oil Intake Induces UCP1 Upregulation in Brown and White Adipose Tissue via the Sympathetic Nervous System.” Nature.com. Nature Publishing Group, n.d. Web. 20 Dec. 2015.
2. “Effects of Fish Oil Supplementation on Postresistance Exercise Muscle Soreness.” National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine, n.d. Web. 21 Oct. 2016.
3. “Eicosapentaenoic and Docosahexaenoic Acids-rich Fish Oil Supplementation Attenuates Strength Loss and Limited Joint Range of Motion after Eccentric…” National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine, n.d. Web. 21 Oct. 2016.
4. “The Effect of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation on the Inflammatory Response to Eccentric Strength Exercise.” National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine, n.d. Web. 21 Oct. 2016.
