Dietary Supplementation with Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Oleate Enhances Exercise Training Effects in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome

Objective: We studied the effects of exercise training alone or combined with dietary supplementation of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (Omega-3PUFA) and oleate on metabolic syndrome (MSyn) components and other markers of cardiometabolic health. Methods: Thirty-six patients with MSyn underwent 24 weeks of high-intensity interval training. In a double-blind randomized design, half of the group ingested 500 mL/day of semi-skim milk (8 g of fat; placebo milk) whereas the other half ingested 500 mL/day of skim milk enriched with 275 mg of Omega-3PUFA and 7.5 g of oleate (Omega-3+OLE). Results: Omega-3+OLE treatment elevated 30% plasma Omega-3PUFA but not significantly (P = 0.286). Improvements in VO2peak (12.8%), mean blood pressure (-7.1%), waist circumference (-1.8%), body fat mass (-2.9%), and trunk fat mass (-3.3%) were similar between groups. However, insulin sensitivity (measured by intravenous glucose tolerance test), serum concentration of C-reactive protein, and high-density lipoprotein improved only in the Omega-3+OLE group by 31.5%, 32.1%, and 10.3%, respectively (all P < 0.05). Fasting serum triacylglycerol, glucose, and plasma fibrinogen concentrations did not improve in either group after 24 weeks of intervention. Conclusions: Diet supplementation with Omega-3PUFA and oleate enhanced cardiometabolic benefits of intense aerobic exercise training in patients with MSyn.