Reproduced, with permission, from Musclar Development

The human body needs fatty acids, and it can make all but two of them: linoleic acid (omega-6 fatty acid) and linolenic acid (omega-3 fatty acid). Given linolenic acid, the body can make the 20 and 22-carbon members of the omega-3 series, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). These omega-3 fatty acids are absolutely critical for normal growth and development and they play a very important role in the prevention and treatment of diseases. It should be noted, however, that only a small amount of linolenic acid is converted to DHA, and linolenic acid does not raise blood DHA levels. One of the primary reasons linolenic acid is so poorly converted to EPA and DHA is that it is mostly burned for energy.

Fish Oil is Heart-Healthy

Fish, especially oily species like mackerel, lake trout, herring and sardines, provide significant amounts of EPA and DHA. A growing body of evidence indicates that EPA and DHA can help to:

• decrease risk for arrhythmias (an alteration in rhythm of the heartbeat), which can lead to sudden cardiac death.
• decrease risk for thrombosis (the formation or presence of a blood clot within a blood vessel), which can lead to heart attack and stroke.
• decrease triglyceride and remnant lipoprotein levels.
• decrease the rate of growth of atherosclerotic plaque.
• improve endothelial function.
• reduce inflammatory responses.

It is very important to realize that only omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil have cardio-protective properties. A systematic review published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition concluded that "Increased consumption [of omega-3 fatty acids] from fish or fish-oil supplements, but not of [linolenic acid], reduces the rates of all-cause mortality, cardiac and sudden death, and possibly stroke."

The cardio-protective effects of fish oil are especially important for those abusing anabolic steroids. Clearly, anabolic steroid use (especially in high doses) has some adverse effects on heart and blood vessels. However, I am certainly not suggesting that one can eliminate the potential adverse effects by simply taking in fish oil. Rather, fish oil may help to decrease the risks. Regular cardiovascular training is important too.

Fish Oil Increases Muscle Anabolism

There is some evidence that fish can improve insulin sensitivity. So, a recent study at the Department of Animal Science of Laval University in Canada investigated its potential role in regulating insulin-mediated protein metabolism. They added supplements containing either omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil or a mixture of cotton seed and olive oils without omega-3s to the regular diet of steers. After five weeks, animals with the omega-3 diet showed increased sensitivity to insulin which, in turn, increased protein anabolism. In fact, twice the amount of amino acids was used by their bodies to synthesize proteins, especially in skeletal muscles. One of the researchers, Dr. Carole Thivierge, suggested that omega-3 fatty acids could help athletes trying to increase their muscle mass.