A diet rich in long chain omega-3 fatty acids modulates satiety in overweight and obese volunteers during weight loss

Long chain omega-3 fatty acids (LC n-3 FA) are considered nutritional factors with a potential to modulate food intake. Thus, the aim of the current study was to determine whether appetite could be affected by LC n-3 FA when included in a calorie-restricted diet to treat overweight or obesity. Appetite was explored in volunteers (31 ± 5 years; BMI: 28.3 ± 1.5 kg/m²) during the last 2 weeks of an 8-week energy-restricted balanced diet (weight loss = -5.9 ± 3.1%) providing either a low (<260 mg/day; n = 112) or a high amount (>1300 mg/day; n = 121) of LC n-3 FA. Erythrocyte membrane fatty acids were measured to detect diet-related changes in fatty acids and a validated visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to measure hunger sensations directly after and 2 h after a test dinner. The LC n-3 FA content in erythrocyte membrane was lower in the low LC n-3 FA group (10.5 ± 2.5% vs. 12.5 ± 2.6%; p < 0.001) after the intervention. The VAS assessment revealed lower hunger sensations in the high LC n-3 FA group immediately after the test dinner (fullness: p = 0.045) and after 120 min (fullness: p = 0.008; hunger: p = 0.039). Correlation analysis showed a positive relation between n-3 FA/n-6 FA ratio in erythrocyte membrane and fullness 2 h postprandial (r = 0.139; p = 0.032). In conclusion, LC n-3 FA intake modulates postprandial satiety in overweight and obese volunteers during weight loss. Further research is needed to investigate whether LC n-3 FA improve compliance to the nutritional treatment of overweight and obesity as well as weight loss maintenance.