A diet rich in long chain omega-3 fatty acids modulates satiety in overweight and obese volunteers during weight loss.
Long chain omega-3 fatty acids (LC n-3 FA) are considered nutritional factors with a potential to modulate food intake. Thus, the aim of the current study was to determine whether appetite could be affected by LC n-3 FA when included in a calorie-restricted diet to treat overweight or obesity. Appetite was explored in volunteers (31+/-5 years; BMI: 28.3+/-1.5 kg/m(2)) during the last 2 weeks of an 8-week energy-restricted balanced diet (weight loss=-5.9+/-3.1%) providing either a low (<260 mg/day; n=112) or a high amount (>1300 mg/day; n=121) of LC n-3 FA. Erythrocyte membrane fatty acids were measured to detect diet-related changes in fatty acids and a validated visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to measure hunger sensations directly after and 2h after a test dinner. The LC n-3 FA content in erythrocyte membrane was lower in the low LC n-3 FA group (10.5+/-2.5% vs. 12.5+/-2.6%; p<0.001) after the intervention. The VAS assessment revealed lower hunger sensations in the high LC n-3 FA group immediately after the test dinner (fullness: p=0.045) and after 120 min (fullness: p=0.008; hunger: p=0.039). Correlation analysis showed a positive relation between n-3 FA/n-6 FA ratio in erythrocyte membrane and fullness 2h postprandial (r=0.139; p=0.032). In conclusion, LC n-3 FA intake modulates postprandial satiety in overweight and obese volunteers during weight loss. Further research is needed to investigate whether LC n-3 FA improve compliance to the nutritional treatment of overweight and obesity as well as weight loss maintenance.
Parra
Dolores
D
The Department of Physiology and Nutrition, University of Navarra, C/Irunlarrea s/n, Pamplona, Spain.
Ramel
Alfons
A
Bandarra
Narcisa
N
Kiely
Mairead
M
Martínez
J Alfredo
JA
Thorsdottir
Inga
I
D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004038:Diet, Reducing; D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000737:chemistry; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006815:Hunger / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D050177:Overweight / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D010349:Patient Compliance; D019518:Postprandial Period; D012527:Satiation / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult
D004042:Dietary Fats, Unsaturated; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3