With increasing age comes an increase in the incidence of several clinical problems, such as arthritis, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension. Changes also occur in the number of fat deposits and a loss of lean muscle is observed. Sarcopenia or the loss in skeletal muscle occurs in the elderly and even in active older individuals. Impairments in muscle strength and functional abilities affect the quality of life and increase the risk of falls and even hospitalization.

Skeletal muscle has the ability to adapt to physical activity and changes in diet. An individual’s nutritional status can affect how it responds to adaptive stimuli, like exercise. The influence of nutrition on muscle has the potential to substantially impact its physical function and metabolism of the whole body. Animal studies show that omega-3 fatty acids obtained from fish can influence skeletal muscle metabolism. Evidence from these studies clearly shows that omega-3 manipulates not only the metabolic response of muscle to nutrition but also the functional response to a period of activity. Omega-3 fish oil has the ability to wade off a number of diseases including the physical decline associated with aging.

Omega-3 fish oil helps in muscle growth. A study involving a placebo-controlled trial revealed that fish oil supplementation does increase muscle synthesis in humans. The mTOR pathway is an important pathway through which cells grow and proliferate. Omega-3 fatty acids stimulate protein synthesis which increases muscle mass and strength in this pathway. It also shortens muscle recovery and results in improved exercise performance. The study concluded that protein concentration in muscle cells and the protein-to-muscle cell size were observed to be higher in both cases when compared with placebo. Individuals who underwent thorough prolonged and intense exercises generated free radicals which cause damage to cells. Omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil affect the status of antioxidants after intense exercise and thereby protect muscles from damage induced by free radicals.