I know I’ve explained how fish oil can reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease and lower blood pressure, but I realize that some of you may not care about this. And maybe you were unimpressed with the research I presented that shows that fish oil is good for hormone and blood sugar levels, insulin sensitivity, depression, cognitive decline in the elderly or brain development in babies. And I understand that you may not care that fish oil can reduce postpartum depression or that it is effective for Crohn’s disease patients or those suffering from asthma, rheumatoid arthritis or prostate cancer. But I think I got your attention when I discussed why fish oil is the most important supplement for fat loss.
In numerous articles and in my BioSignature Modulation courses, I’ve explained that fish oil can help you burn fat by turning on lipolytic genes and reduce stored fat by turning off lipogenic genes. But for some of you, especially those of you on a budget, that may not be a good-enough reason to spend your hard-earned money on this product. That’s all about to change because now I finally have a GREAT reason for you to take fish oil:
Fish oil can help us build muscle!
Yes, you heard me right. Want bulging biceps, powerful pecs, and shoulders like boulders? Fish oil is the supplement for you. Let me explain.
Researchers from Washington University School of Medicine in Missouri recently examined the effects of four grams of fish oil on protein synthesis and key signaling pathways related to muscle growth. The subjects were healthy adults, ages 25 to 45 years old, and what the researchers were focusing on was protein synthesis, which in layman’s terms is the process in which cells build proteins. Proteins are the building blocks of muscle, which is why when you want to sell a can of protein powder, you have a bodybuilder as your model and not a distance runner (those athletes can model for Power Bar ads).
The researchers showed that the fish oil did not affect basal protein synthesis in either the placebo or treatment group. However, when in the presence of elevated insulin and amino acids, there was a significant increase in protein synthesis. They even noted that muscle cells were larger. What’s more, they found a significant increase in both the mTOR and p70 pathways, which are key pathways related to muscle growth. These findings suggest that fish oil can substantially increase the anabolic effects of the post-workout window when we spike insulin and amino acid concentrations.
The conclusion of the researchers is that “LCn-3PUFA [fish oils] have anabolic properties in healthy young and middle aged adults.” Interestingly, these researchers also conducted the same study on older adults, stating that “loss of muscle mass with aging is a major public health concern.” This study showed very similar results to the study on younger adults, confirming the anabolic effects of fish oil regardless of age. They stated that “omega-3 fatty acids stimulate muscle protein synthesis in older adults and may be useful for the prevention and treatment of sarcopenia [decrease in muscle mass].”
Most of you know that fish oil is essential to good health, but now you can add “increased muscle building” as a mandatory reason for taking this supplement!