Supplementation with a low–moderate dose ofn-3 long-chain PUFA has no short-term effect on bone resorption in human adults

Abstract

Previous research suggests thatn-3 PUFA may play a role in bone health. The present analysis aimed to investigate the impact ofn-3 PUFA supplementation on bone resorption in adult men and women. Serum samples from 113 mild–moderately depressed individuals (twenty-six males and eighty-seven females, aged 18–67 years) randomised to receive 1·48 g EPA+DHA/d (n53) or placebo (n60) for 12 weeks as part of a large recent randomised controlled trial were assayed forn-3 PUFA status and a bone resorption marker, C-terminal cross-linking telopeptide of type 1 collagen (β-CTX). Regression analyses revealed thatn-3 PUFA status following supplementation was associated with randomisation (placebo/n-3 PUFA) (B = 3·25, 95 % CI 2·60, 3·91,P < 0·01). However, β-CTX status following supplementation was not associated with randomisation (B = − 0·01, 95 % CI − 0·03, 0·04). Change in β-CTX status was also not associated with change inn-3 PUFA status (B = − 0·002, 95 % CI − 0·01, 0·01). These findings provide no evidence for an association betweenn-3 PUFA supplementation (1·48 g EPA+DHA/d) for 12 weeks and bone resorption in humans assessed by β-CTX, and suggest thatn-3 PUFA supplementation may be unlikely to be of benefit in preventing bone loss.