Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Exercise in Obesity Management: Independent and Synergistic Benefits in Metabolism and Knowledge Gaps

Viviana Sandoval; Álvaro Vergara-Nieto; Amanda Bentes; Saulo Silva; Carolina Núñez; Sergio Martínez-Huenchullán

doi:10.3390/biology14050463

Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Exercise in Obesity Management: Independent and Synergistic Benefits in Metabolism and Knowledge Gaps

Journal

Biology

ISSN

2079-7737

Date Issued

2025-04-24

Author(s)

Viviana Sandoval

Álvaro Vergara-Nieto

Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud

Amanda Bentes

Saulo Silva

Carolina Núñez

Sergio Martínez-Huenchullán

Type

journal-article

DOI

10.3390/biology14050463

URL

https://investigadores.udd.cl/handle/123456789/11130

URL Institutional Repository

https://hdl.handle.net/11447/10819

Abstract

Obesity is a significant global health issue, profoundly affecting metabolic and cardiovascular health and other related chronic conditions. In Chile, the prevalence of obesity is among the highest within the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries, highlighting a critical public health challenge. This narrative review examines current evidence on the independent and potential synergistic roles of omega-3 fatty acids and exercise in managing obesity-related metabolic dysfunction. Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), have been shown to lower triglyceride levels, enhance lipid metabolism, and modulate inflammation via pathways involving peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) and sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c). Exercise interventions, such as moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT), provide distinct yet complementary metabolic benefits. Specifically, MICT improves body fat distribution and mitochondrial efficiency, whereas HIIT has notable effects on metabolic adaptability and insulin signaling. Additionally, emerging evidence points toward a potential role of the kinin-kallikrein system, particularly kallikrein 7 (KLK7), in obesity-associated insulin resistance. Despite these promising findings, several knowledge gaps persist regarding optimal dosing, intervention timing, population-specific effects, and the exact mechanisms behind the potential synergistic interactions between omega-3 supplementation and structured exercise. This review emphasizes the importance of conducting further research, particularly controlled clinical trials, to clarify these combined interventions’ effectiveness and establish targeted therapeutic strategies tailored to individual metabolic profiles.

Subjects

exercise

;

fatty acids

;

omega-3

;

precision medicine