Omega-3 Fats Do Not Promote Fat Loss

Omega-3 fatty acids have been linked to fat loss in animals in several studies and in humans in one short-term study. Researchers from the University of Washington recently sought to clarify the effects of omega-3 fats on body fat levels in humans with a longer-term study. Twenty-six overweight and obese men and women participated in the study. Half were placed on a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids while the other half were placed on a “healthy” diet that was lower in omega-3’s. Calories were controlled for two weeks, and then for 12 weeks members of both groups were able to eat as much as they pleased. The two groups lost similar similar amounts of weight during the intervention period. There were also no differences betwen the two groups in terms of appetite and resting metabolic rates. These results suggest that the long list of health benefits associated with omega-3 fats cannot be extended to include fat loss.