A study published in the journal Nutrients suggests that fish oil supplements could speed up muscle recovery in older rats, potentially offering similar benefits for humans. Researchers found that aged rats, which typically heal more slowly, showed significant improvement in recovery when fish oil was incorporated into their diet, with many matching the healing pace of younger rats.
The experiments involved 22-month-old and 8-month-old Sprague Dawley rats, along with cultured mouse muscle cells (C2C12). Diets enriched with fish oil—containing 45% eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and 10% docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) at 33 g/kg—helped restore muscle function more efficiently. Results showed that 78% of the older rats on fish oil recovered at rates comparable to their younger counterparts, while aged control rats experienced a 30–40% reduction in muscle strength within seven days, compared to only 20–25% in adult rats.
The study also found that fish oil boosted the production of key repair proteins, including dysferlin and TRIM72/MG53, essential for restoring muscle membrane integrity. These findings suggest fish oil’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties can play a crucial role in mitigating the effects of aging on muscle recovery.
While older adults engage in less physically strenuous activity, they are still vulnerable to muscle injuries from falls or routine movements. Such injuries can leave them with prolonged pain and reduced mobility. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are often prescribed for relief, though their role in muscle healing remains inconclusive.
This research opens the door to new therapeutic possibilities for humans, highlighting fish oil supplements as a potential strategy to enhance recovery and improve quality of life for older individuals. Further studies are required to confirm these effects in clinical settings.