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 (Ω‐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 Ω‐3PUFA and 7.5 g of oleate (Ω‐3 + OLE). Results Ω‐3 + OLE treatment elevated 30% plasma Ω‐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 Ω‐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 Ω‐3PUFA and oleate enhanced cardiometabolic benefits of intense aerobic exercise training in patients with MSyn.