Evidence check: FADS1 in the context of Sport

The FADS1 gene variant (e.g., rs174547) modulates delta-5-desaturase activity, a key enzyme in polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) metabolism. Carriers of certain variants tend to have lower arachidonic acid and higher linoleic acid levels. In a sports context, this could influence exercise-induced inflammation and recovery – a more favorable inflammatory response is plausible. However, the evidence is weak: no randomized trials directly show performance or recovery benefits from FADS1-based dietary adjustments. Effects are small and overshadowed by total fat intake, omega-3 supplementation, and training status. Personalized supplementation (e.g., EPA/DHA) may be useful if omega-3 levels are low, but it is not FADS1-specific. Conclusion: FADS1 is a promising but not yet clinically actionable marker for athletes. Evidence: human-moderate (GWAS + biochemical plausibility, but no intervention studies).