title: Fish oil-supplementation increases appetite in healthy adults. A randomized controlled cross-over trial.
abstract: Marine n-3 fatty acids are hypothesized to have beneficial effects on obesity and cancer cachexia possibly via an effect on appetite. The aim of this study was to investigate, if fish oil-supplementation affects appetite in healthy individuals. In a randomized cross-over study, 20 normal-weight subjects (50% females) were given ten 0.5-mL capsules/day of fish oil or soybean oil for 3 weeks separated by 1-week wash-out. In the end of each period, appetite was assessed by 10-cm visual analog scales immediately before and after a standardized breakfast. Results were analyzed in accordance with the paired design considering oil sequence and gender. All subjects completed both periods with a compliance of 96% and oil sequence did not affect the results. There was no difference between the two supplements in any pre-breakfast appetite scores, but the post-prandial sensation of being full was 1.21 cm (0.20; 2.22) lower after the fish oil-period. Furthermore, there was a supplement × gender-interaction on "desire to eat more" due to a score increase of 1.09 cm (0.28; 1.90) in women only. These results suggest that marine n-3 fatty acid may increase appetite. This finding would be potentially beneficial for patients with compromised nutritional status.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 30, DK-1958 Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
authors.forename: Signe
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Damsbo-Svendsen
authors.forename: Mia Dybkjær
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Rønsholdt
authors.forename: Lotte
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lauritzen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001066:Appetite / Q000187:drug effects*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003718:Denmark; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019518:Postprandial Period; D012016:Reference Values; D012528:Satiety Response / Q000187:drug effects*; D017678:Sex Distribution; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3