Calanus Oil Supplementation Does Not Further Improve Short-Term Memory or Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Older Women Who Underwent Exercise Training

Clin Interv Aging. 2022 Aug 13:17:1227-1236. doi: 10.2147/CIA.S368079. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

Purpose: In our study, we examined changes in short-term episodic memory and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in women after an exercise program alone or in combination with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 PUFA) supplementation.

Patients and methods: Fifty-five healthy elderly women (65-80 years) were randomly split into two groups: in the first group were women attending an exercise program while taking wax esters-rich oil (Calanus) supplementation (n = 28) and in the other group were women undergoing the same exercise program while taking placebo (n = 27). The 16-week exercise program consisted of functional circuit training (twice a week) and Nordic walking lessons (once a week). Short-term episodic memory was evaluated by the Czech screening Test "Pojmenování OBrázků A jejich Vybavení" (POBAV) baseline and after the program lasting 16 weeks.

Results: Our results show that short-term memory significantly improved following the exercise program, but there was no added value in using n-3 PUFA supplements. BDNF values did not differ between baseline and follow-up in either group. However, there was a statistically significant positive relationship between relative change (%) in the POBAV test and VO2peak in the placebo group (r = 0.49).

Conclusion: Despite the added value of n-3 PUFA supplementation not being proven, our results may strengthen the importance of physical activity in averting age-related memory decline and dementia.

Keywords: Nordic walking; aging; circuit training; cognitive function; n-3 PUFA; physical activity.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor*
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Exercise
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3* / pharmacology
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3* / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Memory, Short-Term

Substances

  • Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3

Grants and funding

This work was a part of research project nr. 16-29182A “Effect of Exercise training and Omega-3 fatty acids on metabolic health and Dysfunction of Adipose tissue in elderly” which gained support from the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic. The manuscript preparation was also supported by the program of the institutional support for the development of science at Charles University Progress, No. Q41 “Biological aspects of the investigation of human movement”. The funding agencies did not play any role in the study design, the data collection, and analysis, the decision to publish, or the preparation of the manuscript.