The Effects of aerobic exercise and omega-3 supplementation on plasma ghrelin and appetite levels in obese women

Ghrelin is a hormone that has the main role in energy regulation and obesity, so it would be important to have strategies for monitoring this substrate. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of omega 3 supplement and aerobic exercises on plasma levels of ghrelin and appetite in obese women.
Among all healthy Lahijan women, 60 non-athlete obese healthy subjects (35-45 yr.) were chosen voluntarily and randomly divided into four groups (aerobic, supplement 槪, supplement, control). Training supplements group and training group were exerted 12-week aerobic program. As well as training supplements and supplements groups also consumed omega-3 daily 2 capsules. The exercise groups jogged 4 d/wk. at 55% to 65% of maximal reserve heart rate. Plasma ghrelin, appetite, and anthropometrical characteristics were assessed 48 hours following and prior to training and at the end of luteal phase. Dependent t-test and One Way ANOVA and Tukey tests were used to analyze the data.
the results indicated that ghrelin and appetite increased significantly in aerobic and supplement槪 groups (p=0.0001), while didn’t change in supplement and control groups.
it was concluded that omega-3 supplement has no significant effect on ghrelin and appetite levels whereas aerobic exercise may increase ghrelin and appetite in obese women. This result probably proves this hypothesis that aerobic exercises lead to increased levels of ghrelin and increased calorie intake due to elevated energy expenditure.