Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT02092649

Effects of 12 Weeks of Omega 3 Supplementation on Resting Metabolic Rate

Fatty acids are the main components of the cell membranes. It has been demonstrated that diet can alter the characteristics and function of many membranes in the body, which has an effect on cardiovascular and metabolic health. Over the last two decades there has been a substantial rise in the research of the effects of Omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on bodily function. There are two fatty acids that are of particular interest to researchers, eicosapentanoic acid (EPA) and docosahexanoic acid (DHA). These fatty acids have unique unsaturated structures, and their incorporation into biological membranes seems to generate important and positive physiological effects. The body is unable to synthesize these fatty acids in high concentrations to elicit significant effects, so they must be obtained through diet in food or via supplementation.

It has been suggested that EPA and DHA supplementation increases resting metabolic rate (RMR) in humans, in part by increasing the use of fat as a fuel during rest. There are a limited number of studies examining the effects of Omega 3 supplementation on RMR. Some have found an increase in RMR while others have found no change. These studies have some limitations, as that they have either used a small sample size, a low omega fatty acid dose and/or short supplementation periods. Due to the variable results, the investigators will improve the reliability of the RMR measurements by making measures on each subject during two consecutive days at each time point that it is measured (0, 6 and 12 weeks).

Therefore, the purpose of this study is to determine the effects of 12 weeks of omega 3 supplementation (3 g/d) on healthy young adults vs. the supplementation of a placebo. The researchers hypothesize that EPA and DHA supplementation will result in an increase in RMR and fat oxidation in some subjects and not in others. The duplicate RMR measures will determine the prevalence and magnitude of the omega 3 supplementation.

Completed

Looking for future studies?

Notify Me

Key information

Conditions

Whole Body Energy Metabolism

Age range

18 year–30 year

Sex eligibility

Male

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Guelph

Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • 18 - 30 years of age.
  • Must currently practice a consistent diet and exercise regimen, and maintain this throughout the duration of the study.

Exclusion criteria

  • Current or previous supplementation with omega-3's.
  • Average fish intake greater than two times per week.
  • Taken any medications, have any medical condition, and hospitalization or surgeries.
  • Allergy to fish/fish oil, , (rosemary extract, ascorbyl palmitate, or natural tocopherols).

Treatment and study plan

Omega-3 Complete

Dietary Supplement

Placebo Pill

Dietary Supplement

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Resting Metabolic Rate From Baseline

    Time frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks

    Percent change in resting metabolic rate

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in Maximum Oxygen Consumption From Baseline

    Time frame: Baseline, 12 weeks

  2. Change in Whole Body Resting Fat Oxidation From Baseline

    Time frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks

  3. Change in Whole Body Resting Carbohydrate Oxidation From Baseline

    Time frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks

  4. Variability of Resting Metabolic Rate Measurement on 2 Consecutive Days

    Time frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks

  5. Change in Fasted Blood Triglyceride Concentration From Baseline

    Time frame: Baseline, 12 weeks

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Guelph

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2014
Primary completion
2014
Study completion
2015
First posted
Mar 20, 2014
Registry last updated
Jan 6, 2016

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.