Aging is associated with loss of skeletal muscle mass. This is termed as sarcopenia. The condition is associated with considerable impairment in muscle strength and functional ability.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are key components of phospholipids of cell membranes, including muscles. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) may be beneficial in the treatment of sarcopenia. Epidemiological evidence has shown a positive association between the consumption of fatty fish and grip strength in an older population. A study assessed muscle protein synthesis (MPS) and the anabolic signaling cascade prior to and following 8 weeks of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)/ docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation in healthy older adults. During a hyperaminoacidemic–hyperinsulinemic clamp, EPA/DHA group had nearly double the MPS in comparison with the control group.

A randomized controlled trial involving 14 women aged above 65 years randomly assigned the participants to receive either control (olive) oil or EPA/DHA and perform resistance exercise training for 12 weeks. EPA/DHA group exhibited improvement in muscle strength and gait speed by almost twice as much as those given the control oil.

A recent study by Rossato et al evaluated if omega-3 intake is associated with muscle strength in individuals above 50 years of age. In all, 2141 individuals (1119 men and 1022 women) were evaluated. Total omega-3, DHA, EPA and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) intakes had a positive association with peak force in men. Following adjustments for confounders, total omega-3 intake continued to be significant.

Intake of total omega-3 fatty acids was thus found to be positively associated with muscle strength in older adults.