No Effect of Calanus Oil on Maximal Oxygen Uptake in Healthy Participants: A Randomized Controlled Study

in International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism

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Lucas Tauschek Cardiac Exercise Research Group, Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging, NTNU—Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway

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Ragnhild E.N. Røsbjørgen Cardiac Exercise Research Group, Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging, NTNU—Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway

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Håvard Dalen Clinic of Cardiology, St. Olavs University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging, NTNU – Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
Department of Medicine, Levanger Hospital, Nord-Trøndelag Hospital Trust, Levanger, Norway

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Terje Larsen Department of Medical Biology, UIT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway

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Trine Karlsen Cardiac Exercise Research Group, Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging, NTNU—Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences, Nord University, Bodø, Norway

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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsnem.2022-0047
Keywords:
omega-3 fatty acids; VO2max; fitness
First Published Online:
23 Aug 2022
In Print:
Volume 32: Issue 6
Page Range:
468–478
Restricted access

We aimed to investigate the long-term effect of daily Calanus oil supplementation on maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) in healthy 30- to 50-year-old participants. The study was motivated by preclinical studies reporting increased VO2max and metabolic health with omega-3 rich Calanus oil. In a double-blinded study, 71 participants were randomized to receive 2 g/day of Calanus or placebo supplementation for a total of 6 months. The participants underwent exercise testing and clinical investigations at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. Main study endpoint was change in VO2max from baseline to 6 months. Fifty-eight participants completed the 6-month test and were included in the final data analysis (age: Calanus, 39.7 [38.0, 41.4] and placebo, 38.8 [36.8, 40.9] years; body mass index: Calanus, 24.8 [24.0, 25.6] and placebo, 24.8 [23.7, 25.8] kg/m2; and VO2max: Calanus, 50.4 [47.1, 53.8] and placebo, 50.2 [47.2, 53.1] ml·kg−1·min−1). There were no between-group differences at baseline, nor were there any between-group differences in absolute (Calanus, 3.74 [3.44, 4.04] and placebo, 3.79 [3.44, 4.14] L/min) or relative VO2max (Calanus, 49.7 [46.2, 53.2] and placebo, 49.5 [46.0, 53.1] ml·kg−1·min−1) at 6 months (mean [95% confidence interval]). There were no between-groups change in clinical measures from baseline to 3 and 6 months. In conclusion, VO2max was unaffected by 6 months of daily Calanus oil supplementation in healthy, physically fit, normal to overweight men and women between 30 and 50 years old.

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