Martek Eyeing Sports Nutrition Potential for DHA

Studies have begun to indicate that there may be important links between consuming DHA omega-3 and improving performance.

5/17/2011 --- The sports nutrition market is expanding, and so is research into how dietary intakes could impact performance. One area where significant research is being conducted is omega-3s. Studies have begun to indicate that there may be important links between consuming DHA omega-3 and improving performance. Research is still in early stages but represents interesting insights into understanding more of the potential benefits of DHA omega-3.

The heart is the most important muscle in the body, so looking after its health should be a top priority, especially for athletes who put it under significant strain. EFSA has recognised the positive impact DHA has on normal blood concentrations, issuing a positive opinion last year. More recent studies have also indicated DHA’s potential importance in regulating heart rate, blood pressure, blood flow and cardiac output in both healthy individuals and athletes.  

With high-impact training programmes, particularly in the run up to big events, athletes must also look after their joints and muscles which can suffer during sport. Research into the health anti-inflammatory effects of DHA is expanding and initial studies suggest there may be significant benefits in areas such as decreasing perceived pain and muscle swelling as well as reducing certain protein levels associated with inflammation.

Another area which is receiving significant investment into research is brain health in athletes. DHA constitutes 97 per cent of fatty acids in the brain  and has been shown to have benefits in both brain development and memory enhancement. One of the biggest concerns facing athletes is the damaging effects of brain injury through concussion. Pre-clinical trials highlight the importance of further investigation into the protective effects of DHA in traumatic brain injury (TBI). For example, one study shows that pre-TBI supplementation with algal life’sDHA in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats was successful in lowering the number of amyloid precursor protein (APP) positive axons that mark axonal injury. Equally interesting is that a second study, published in Neurotrauma, indicates that supplementation with algal DHA after TBI also reduced APP levels.

Research into sports nutrition and the beneficial effects with DHA supplementations is very much in its infancy but initial results indicate significant potential for DHA as a sports nutrition supplement. Martek, now part of DSM’s health platform, is dedicated to investing resources into expanding research and better understanding how DHA and omega-3s can play an important role in improving and protecting athlete performance.

References
Buckley et al. 2009
Peoples et al 2008
Walser et al 2008
Walser 2006
Harris 1997
Tartibian 2008
Burke 2009
Andrade 2007
Mickleborough 2003
Salem N Jr, et al. Mechanisms of action of docosahexaenoic acid in the nervous system. Lipids, 2001. 36:945-59.