EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT.OMEGA OILS

Cod liver oil is an age-old supplement, but its key ingredient is still very relevant, discovers Rob Kemp

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Omega-3 is a polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) essential for human health, obtained from oily fish and certain plant sources. It supports anti-inflammatory functions, prevents blood clots and helps widen blood vessels. Studies in the 1970s of Greenland Eskimos, who recorded low rates of coronary heart disease, asthma and type-1 diabetes found that the Eskimos' superpower lay in the PUFA-packed oily fish they ate. Omega oils have since become a highly regarded food supplement, but what can they do for your cycling?

What's in it for cyclists?

"Consuming omega-3 PUFAs is linked to improvements in cognition and mood, cardiovascular dynamics, muscle recovery and inflammation," says researcher Lynsey James. Omega-3 PUFAs have also been shown to exert positive effects on cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis and chronic inflammation. "There's some evidence that athletes may need a higher omega-3 intake compared to the general population," adds Professor Mayur Ranchordas, an applied human nutrition specialist. "Their anti-inflammatory properties may help reduce muscle soreness and speed up recovery, supporting muscle cell regeneration and repair."

While research suggests that omega-3 PUFAs may lower the risk of arrhythmia - irregular heart rhythm - by stabilising heart cell membranes, the evidence is not entirely conclusive. Some studies show a possible reduction in arrhythmia risk, others show even a slight increase in atrial fibrillation risk.