Impact of Fatty Acid Supplementation on Cognitive Performance among United States (US) Military Officers: The Ranger Resilience and Improved Performance on Phospholipid-Bound Omega-3’s (RRIPP-3) Study

Study answer

What this study found

Krill oil omega-3 supplementation did not improve cognitive performance, resilience, or related mood outcomes versus placebo during military training. No statistically significant group-by-time interactions were found on any outcomes, including Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (p = 0.7287), PROMIS Fatigue (p = 0.1281), PROMIS Sleep Related Impairment (p = 0.6878), and PROMIS Applied Cognition (p = 0.7789). Some outcomes worsened over time in both groups, but these changes were not attributable to the supplement. Fifteen adverse events were reported overall, 7 in the experimental group and 8…

Study & population

This was a randomized, placebo-controlled trial in healthy young US Army officers enrolled in IBOLC and preparing for Ranger School, primarily male.

Intervention

The active supplement was concentrated krill oil from Euphausia superba, providing approximately 2.3 g/day omega-3s with an EPA:DHA ratio of about 2:1.

Key limitation

Retention was poor and compliance was questioned, which weakens confidence in the findings.

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Original abstract