Abstract

This study examined the independent effects of eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acid supplementation on resting metabolic rate (RMR) and substrate oxidation in young healthy females and males. EPA or DHA supplementation had no effect on RMR and substrate oxidation in males, while DHA reduced RMR by similar to 7% (p < 0.01) in females. In conclusion, these data establish potential sex differences on RMR in response to DHA supplements. Novelty Supplementing with DHA decreases resting energy expenditure in healthy young females but not males.