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Dr. Grey AI

Supplement

Arachidonic Acid

Arachidonic acid is an omega-6 fatty acid found in cell membranes throughout the body, where it serves as a building block for signaling molecules involved in inflammation and muscle repair. People mostly look at it for body composition and exercise performance, and the evidence is limited: in one small study, anaerobic capacity improved, while body fat showed no clear difference. That research involved only 31 people, so it says little about how results might apply more broadly.

Best evidence
Grade C
Conditions studied
5
Outcomes
20
Graded outcomes
0051

Evidence by condition

  • Strong
  • Moderate
  • Limited
  • Very limited

5 conditions

Body Composition: outcomes studied for Arachidonic Acid
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Anaerobic Capacity

Small Improvement

Improves (the measure goes up)Small effect31 people
Body Fat

No effect

NoneNo effect31 people
Power OutputImproves (the measure goes up)1 study31 people

Studies that measured power output

CortisolChanges; see studies31 people
Muscle MassImproves (the measure goes up)31 people
TestosteroneImproves (the measure goes up)31 people

Metabolic Health: outcomes studied for Arachidonic Acid
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Anaerobic Capacity

Small Improvement

Improves (the measure goes up)Small effect31 people

Muscle Size Strength

  • Anaerobic Capacity: improves
Muscle Size Strength: outcomes studied for Arachidonic Acid
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Anaerobic Capacity

Small Improvement

Improves (the measure goes up)Small effect31 people

General Athletic Performance

  • Anaerobic Capacity: improves
  • Power Output: improves
  • Body Fat: changes; see studies
General Athletic Performance: outcomes studied for Arachidonic Acid
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Anaerobic Capacity

Small Improvement

Improves (the measure goes up)Small effect31 people
Power OutputImproves (the measure goes up)1 study31 people

Studies that measured power output

Body FatChanges; see studies31 people
CortisolChanges; see studies31 people
Muscle MassImproves (the measure goes up)31 people
TestosteroneImproves (the measure goes up)31 people

Muscle Size & Strength

  • Anaerobic Capacity: improves
  • Power Output: improves
  • Body Fat: changes; see studies
Muscle Size & Strength: outcomes studied for Arachidonic Acid
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Anaerobic Capacity

Small Improvement

Improves (the measure goes up)Small effect31 people
Power OutputImproves (the measure goes up)1 study31 people

Studies that measured power output

Body FatChanges; see studies31 people
CortisolChanges; see studies31 people
Muscle MassImproves (the measure goes up)31 people
TestosteroneImproves (the measure goes up)31 people

Key findings

  • Anaerobic CapacityBody CompositionImproves (the measure goes up)
  • Body FatBody Composition

Shop Arachidonic Acid

Third-party tested Arachidonic Acid products. The evidence above is limited, so read it before you buy.

  • Grade C

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Studies cited

1 study from PubMed

  1. Effects of arachidonic acid supplementation on training adaptations in resistance-trained malesJ Int Soc Sports Nutr · PMID 18045476