PhD candidate Ryan Anthony joins the Erics on Iron Culture to discuss the fishy business of Omega-3 supplementation. Ryan is in the final years of his PhD research at the University of Wollongong in Australia, investigating the role of omega-3 fatty acids in reducing muscle fatigue and soreness following exercise. His research has identified consistent methodological issues in many of the studies on the topic, which may explain why omega-3 data has become more mixed in recent years. In this episode you’ll learn exactly what omega-3 fatty acids are, how they function in the body, the difference between EPA and DHA and the relevance of their differences, if it is worth supplementing with omega-3s, and whether most supplements on the market are actually properly formulated to provide the potential positive impact sometimes observed in research.

00:00 It’s the tag team Eric duo with an introduction to fish oil supplementation

03:08 Introducing our guest Ryan, his research, and Omega-3s

11:57 Fish oil trials, biomarkers, and adverse outcomes

Harris 2017 The Omega-3 Index and relative risk for coronary heart disease mortality: Estimation from 10 cohort studies https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28511049/

20:40 The methodologies employed in this area of research

Anthony 2021 The Influence of Long-Chain Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Eccentric Exercise-Induced Delayed Muscle Soreness: Reported Outcomes Are Compromised by Study Design Issues https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33477110/ 

Anthony 2024 A review and evaluation of study design considerations for omega-3 fatty acid supplementation trials in physically trained participants https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36620998/

33:40 The effects of Fish oil supplementation on various outcomes

44:35 The Omega-6 to Omega-3 ratio, arachidonic acid and the inflammatory response

54:55 Clarifying some of the evidence and some practical considerations of supplementation

59:57 Ryan’s breaks down his research

1:09:55 Practical applications for strength and physique athletes

https://granttinsley.com/third-party-testing-dietary-supplements

1:15:25 Final words: TBIs and high Mercury, and closing out

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ryan-Anthony-2