Clinical Interventions in Aging (Aug 2022)
Calanus Oil Supplementation Does Not Further Improve Short-Term Memory or Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Older Women Who Underwent Exercise Training
Abstract
Klára Daďová,1 Miroslav Petr,2 James J Tufano,2 Lenka Sontáková,2 Eva Krauzová,3,4 Marek Štěpán,3 Michaela Šiklová,3 Michal Šteffl2 1Department of Adapted Physical Education and Sports Medicine, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic; 2Department of Physiology, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic; 3Department of Pathophysiology, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic; 4Department of Internal Medicine, Královské Vinohrady University Hospital and Third Faculty of Medicine, Prague, Czech RepublicCorrespondence: Michal Šteffl, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Charles University, J. Martího 31, 162 52 Praha 6, Prague, Czech Republic, Tel +420 778701882, Email [email protected]: 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: cognitive function, n-3 PUFA, physical activity, aging, circuit training, Nordic walking
