Go Fishing To Reduce Body Fat

Before you run to your nearest river or stream, pole in hand hoping to slim down, take a moment and read some information on Fish Oil.

Adding a supplement like Omega 3 Fish Oil, may be beneficial in reducing body fat and increasing lean muscle mass.

A six week study conducted in 2010 showed that including fish oil as part of a daily supplement regimen increased lean mass while reducing fat mass in healthy adults. The major link between the two was attributed to the reduction in salivary cortisol levels.(http://www.jissn.com/content/7/1/31)

The mechanism for the increase in muscle mass is still unknown. One area that is well researched is the ability of omega 3 to reduce inflammatory cytokines which are can be present from injury or micro trauma and typically associated with repetitive movements like exercise.(For more information on inflammation check out my Recovery post http://athleticsymmetry.blogspot.com/2013/02/rest-recovery-growth.html) It has been documented that inflammatory cytokines can increase the breakdown of protein, so in reduction there can be an increase in protein synthesis over a long period of time.

Another view can be seen between the link of high cortisol levels and protein catabolism (breakdown). Our goal through nutrition and supplementation is to keep the body in an anabolic (growth) state for as long as possible. Exercise, while healthy and beneficial to the body, is stressful and as a result cortisol levels rise post exercise. This is why nutrient timing pre, intra and post workout is so important and widely researched. Along with combating cortisol, we want to capitalize on the sensitivity of insulin and androgen receptor sites which are highly motivated by the presence of protein.  It's like trying to build a brick wall. If we are catabolic, for every new brick we place, two fall down. If we keep this pace up, our brick wall will fall apart. Now if we are in a anabolic state, for every brick that falls, we place two bricks. Unfortunately, our bodies are always breaking down proteins for energy, growth at the muscular and cellular levels, and for many other body factors.  

Again our goal through nutrition and supplementation is to keep the body in an anabolic (growth) state for as long as possible.

So if you are thinking of a supplement to add that can benefit both muscle growth and fat metabolism, catch the big one with Omega 3 Fish Oils.

For related posts on Nutrition, check out Strength and Conditioning Coach, Joey Greany:

http://www.joeygreanypersonaltraining.com/nutrition/