Scientists wanted to know if omega-3 supplements (a type of healthy fat found in fish) combined with exercise could help slow down aging in the liver. They studied obese mice over one year and found something interesting: neither fish oil nor exercise alone could fully protect the mice’s cells from aging damage. But when the mice got both fish oil supplements AND regular exercise together, their liver cells stayed younger and healthier. This suggests that combining these two healthy habits might be more powerful than doing just one.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether omega-3 fish oil supplements and exercise, alone or together, could slow down cellular aging in the livers of overweight, older mice
  • Who participated: Female mice that were made overweight by eating a high-fat diet, then followed for about one year as they aged from young adults to elderly
  • Key finding: Only when mice received both omega-3 supplements AND exercise together did their liver cells maintain their protective structures (called telomeres) and stay younger. Either treatment alone wasn’t enough to prevent aging damage.
  • What it means for you: This animal study suggests that combining fish oil supplements with regular physical activity might work better together than separately for protecting your cells from aging. However, this was tested in mice, so we need human studies to know if the same applies to people.

The Research Details

Researchers started with young female mice and fed some of them a high-fat diet for four months to make them overweight, similar to obesity in humans. Then they divided the overweight mice into four groups: one group stayed on the high-fat diet with no treatment, one got exercise, one got omega-3 supplements added to their food, and one got both exercise and supplements. All groups were followed for about one year until the mice became elderly (18 months old). The scientists then examined the mice’s liver cells to see how much aging had occurred.

The key thing they measured was telomere length. Telomeres are like the plastic tips on shoelaces—they protect the ends of our DNA. Every time a cell divides, telomeres get a little shorter, which is a natural sign of aging. When telomeres get too short, cells can’t divide anymore and may die or stop working properly.

The researchers also looked at genes and proteins related to stress and inflammation in the liver cells, since obesity causes extra stress and swelling inside the body.

This study design is important because it followed mice over a long time period (one year in mouse years equals several human years), allowing researchers to see real aging effects. By testing four different groups, they could figure out whether fish oil, exercise, or the combination worked best. This type of controlled experiment helps scientists understand which treatments actually work and why.

This study was conducted in a controlled laboratory setting with carefully monitored conditions, which is good for accuracy. However, it was only done in mice, not humans, so results may not directly apply to people. The study didn’t specify exactly how many mice were in each group, which makes it harder to judge how reliable the results are. The research was published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal, meaning other experts reviewed it before publication.

What the Results Show

The most important finding was that overweight mice on a high-fat diet showed significant shortening of their telomeres—a sign of accelerated aging in their liver cells. This telomere shortening happened naturally as the mice aged, but obesity made it worse.

When mice received only exercise OR only omega-3 supplements, the telomere shortening still happened, though the supplements alone did reduce some inflammation markers. However, when mice received BOTH omega-3 supplements AND regular exercise together, their telomeres stayed much longer and healthier, similar to mice that weren’t overweight.

The combined treatment also activated protective genes in the liver cells that help fight oxidative stress (a type of cellular damage). These genes—named Sirt3, Foxo3, Sod1, and Cat—are like the body’s natural defense system against aging damage.

Interestingly, both omega-3 supplements and exercise separately reduced inflammation markers (specifically a protein called Il-1b) compared to the untreated obese mice. However, when combined, this anti-inflammatory benefit didn’t increase further, suggesting the two treatments may work through similar pathways for reducing inflammation. The combined treatment’s main advantage was in protecting telomere length and activating multiple protective genes simultaneously.

Previous research has shown that obesity speeds up cellular aging and that both omega-3 fatty acids and exercise have anti-aging properties individually. This study builds on that knowledge by showing that the combination may be more effective than either treatment alone. The finding that exercise and omega-3 supplements work synergistically (better together than apart) is relatively novel and suggests that lifestyle interventions might need to be combined for maximum benefit.

This research was conducted only in mice, and mouse biology doesn’t always match human biology perfectly. The study didn’t specify the exact number of mice in each group, making it difficult to assess statistical reliability. The mice were all female, so results may not apply equally to males. The study also didn’t test different doses of omega-3 or different exercise intensities, so we don’t know the optimal amounts. Finally, this is a single study, so results need to be confirmed by other researchers before drawing firm conclusions.

The Bottom Line

Based on this animal research, combining omega-3 supplements with regular exercise appears promising for protecting cells from aging damage. However, this is preliminary evidence from mice studies. For humans, current general health guidelines already recommend both regular physical activity and a diet rich in omega-3 sources (like fish, flaxseed, or walnuts). If you’re considering omega-3 supplements, consult your doctor first, especially if you take blood thinners or have other health conditions.

This research is most relevant to people who are overweight or obese and concerned about aging-related health problems, particularly liver health. It’s also interesting for anyone interested in anti-aging strategies. However, this is animal research, so people should not make major health decisions based solely on these findings. People with bleeding disorders, those taking blood thinners, or those with fish allergies should be especially cautious about omega-3 supplements and should consult healthcare providers.

In the mouse study, benefits took about one year to become apparent. In humans, cellular changes typically happen more slowly, so meaningful benefits from combining these approaches might take several months to a year or more to notice. Patience and consistency with both exercise and supplementation would be important.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track weekly exercise minutes (aim for 150 minutes of moderate activity) alongside daily omega-3 supplement intake. Monitor energy levels and general wellness monthly as indirect markers of cellular health.
  • Set a daily reminder to take omega-3 supplements at the same time each day, and schedule three to five exercise sessions per week. Use the app to log both activities together to reinforce the idea that they work best as a combined strategy.
  • Create a dashboard showing the synergy between exercise and supplementation over time. Track consistency with both habits monthly, and note any changes in energy, digestion, or overall health markers. Set quarterly goals to maintain or increase both activities.

This research was conducted in mice and has not been tested in humans. These findings are preliminary and should not replace professional medical advice. Before starting omega-3 supplements or significantly changing your exercise routine, especially if you have existing health conditions, take blood thinners, or are pregnant, consult with your healthcare provider. This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical diagnosis, treatment, or professional medical advice.