Omega-3 Research
40 peer-reviewed studies · Evidence score: 9/10
Comparative efficacy and tolerability of nutraceuticals for depressive disorder: A systematic review and network meta-analysis
Cheng YC et al. • Psychological medicine (2025)
This extensive systematic review and NMA of nutraceuticals for treating depressive disorders indicated a number of nutraceuticals that could offer benefits, either as adjuncts or monotherapies.
- Adjunctive nutraceuticals consistently showed better efficacy than antidepressants (ADT) alone in outcomes including SMD, remission, and response.
- This extensive systematic review and NMA of nutraceuticals for treating depressive disorders indicated a number of nutraceuticals that could offer benefits, either as adjuncts or monotherapies.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Vitamin D supplementation vs. placebo and incident type 2 diabetes in an ancillary study of the randomized Vitamin D and Omega-3 Trial
Tobias DK et al. • Nature communications (2025)
This meta-analysis examined the effects of Omega-3.
- Mean body mass index (BMI) was 27.5 kg/m2 (SD = 5.3), with 51% female and 17% Black race/ethnicity.
- T2D incidence (cases/1000py) at median follow-up of 5.3 y was 3.98 for vitamin D and 4.37 for placebo (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.91; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.76, 1.09).
- In conclusion, Vitamin D supplementation did not reduce T2D in older US adults, but a modest reduction was observed when meta-analyzed with prior trials.
Omega-3 fatty acids for intermittent claudication
Mohammady M et al. • The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2024)
The evidence is very uncertain about the effect of omega-3 fatty acids in people with intermittent claudication on quality of life, walking distance (pain-free or maximal), ankle-brachial index, and the incidence of revascularisation procedures or frequency of amputation in the lower limb.
- Omega-3 compared with a control may have little to no effect on ankle-brachial index (MD -0.02, 95% CI -0.08 to 0.04; 3 studies, 168 participants; very low-certainty evidence).
- The evidence is very uncertain about the effect of omega-3 fatty acids in people with intermittent claudication on quality of life, walking distance (pain-free or maximal), ankle-brachial index, and the incidence of revascularisation procedures or frequency of amputation in the lower limb.
- The evidence suggests that omega-3 results in little to no difference in adverse events.
The effects of omega-3, DHA, EPA, Souvenaid® in Alzheimer's disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Calderon Martinez E et al. • Neuropsychopharmacology reports (2024)
The CDR scale showed reduced progression of cognitive decline among patients with n-3-PUFA supplemental interventions, with no differences between different n-3-PUFA supplements.
- Most publications described positive cognitive outcomes from supplements (58%).
- CDR scale showed reduced progression of cognitive decline (SMD = -0.4127, 95% CI: [-0.5926; -0.2327]), without subgroup differences between different dietary supplement interventions.
- However, Souvenaid® showed a significant negative effect (SMD = -0.3593, 95% CI: -0.5834 to -0.1352) in ventricular volumes.
High Dosage Omega-3 Fatty Acids Outperform Existing Pharmacological Options for Migraine Prophylaxis: A Network Meta-Analysis
Tseng PT et al. • Advances in nutrition (Bethesda, Md.) (2024)
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- Migraine is a highly prevalent neurologic disorder with prevalence rates ranging from 9% to 18% worldwide.
- Current pharmacologic prophylactic strategies for migraine have limited efficacy and acceptability, with relatively low response rates of 40% to 50% and limited safety profiles.
- Forty RCTs were included (N = 6616; mean age = 35.0 y; 78.9% women).
Efficacy and safety of omega-3 fatty acids supplementation for anxiety symptoms: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Bafkar N et al. • BMC psychiatry (2024)
The present dose-response meta-analysis suggested evidence of very low certainty that supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids may significantly improve anxiety symptoms, with the greatest improvements at 2 g/d.
- Each 1 gram per day supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids resulted in a moderate decrease in anxiety symptoms (SMD: -0.70, 95%CI: -1.17, -0.22; GRADE = low).
- The non-linear dose-response analysis indicated the greatest improvement at 2 g/d (SMD: -0.93, 95%CI: -1.85, -0.01), and that supplementation in a dose lower than 2 g/d did not affect anxiety symptoms.
- Omega-3 fatty acids did not increase adverse events (odds ratio: 1.20, 95%CI: 0.89, 1.61; GRADE = moderate).
The effect of Omega-3 supplementation and fish oil on preeclampsia: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Rajati M et al. • Clinical nutrition ESPEN (2024)
Based on the results of the present study, the consumption of omega-3 supplementation and fish oil significantly reduces the risk of developing preeclampsia.
- Based on the results of the present study, the consumption of omega-3 supplementation and fish oil significantly reduces the risk of developing preeclampsia.
- Published in Clinical nutrition ESPEN (2024)
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Assessing the Efficacy of Omega-3 Fatty Acids + Statins vs. Statins Only on Cardiovascular Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 40,991 Patients
Irfan A et al. • Current problems in cardiology (2024)
Our research reinforces that all patients, regardless of their cardiovascular health, may benefit from adding omega-3 fatty acids to their statin therapy.
- In contrast, our analysis found no statistically significant difference in the incidence of fatal and non-fatal stroke, coronary revascularization, and cardiovascular mortality.
- Our research reinforces that all patients, regardless of their cardiovascular health, may benefit from adding omega-3 fatty acids to their statin therapy.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Effects of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on reducing anxiety and/or depression in adults; A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Kelaiditis CF et al. • Prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and essential fatty acids (2023)
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- Only one study reported significant reduction in anxiety severity with 2.1 g/day EPA (85.6% of total EPA + DHA), therefore meta-analysis was not possible.
- These results support the therapeutic potential of EPA in depression at proportions ≥ 60% of total EPA + DHA and doses ≥ 1 g/day and < 2 g/day.
- Published by Elsevier Ltd..
Omega-3 Fatty Acid Biomarkers and Incident Atrial Fibrillation
Qian F et al. • Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2023)
In vivo levels of omega-3 fatty acids including EPA, DPA, DHA, and EPA+DHA were not associated with increased risk of incident AF.
- In multivariable analysis, EPA levels were not associated with incident AF, HR per interquintile range (ie, the difference between the 90th and 10th percentiles) was 1.00 (95% CI: 0.95-1.05).
- HRs for higher levels of DPA, DHA, and EPA+DHA, were 0.89 (95% CI: 0.83-0.95), 0.90 (95% CI: 0.85-0.96), and 0.93 (95% CI: 0.87-0.99), respectively.
- In vivo levels of omega-3 fatty acids including EPA, DPA, DHA, and EPA+DHA were not associated with increased risk of incident AF.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of the omega-3 fatty acids effects on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)
Ziaei S et al. • Nutritional neuroscience (2024)
The present systematic review and meta-analysis indicate the efficacy of omega-3 FAs in increasing the serum concentration of BDNF.
- The present systematic review and meta-analysis indicate the efficacy of omega-3 FAs in increasing the serum concentration of BDNF.
- Therefore, omega-3 FAs should be prioritized as agents for increasing BDNF in interventions.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Postoperative Inflammatory Response: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Mohsen G et al. • Nutrients (2023)
although reduced inflammatory markers were observed, preoperative administration of omega-3 FAs immunonutrients had no significant effect on the postoperative inflammatory response in patients undergoing abdominal surgeries.
- There was no significant difference between the groups with respect to inflammatory markers IL-6: -0.55 [-1.22; 0.12] p = 0.10, CRP: -0.14 [-0.67; 0.40] p = 0.55, WBC: -0.58 [-3.05; 1.89] p = 0.42, or hospital stay -0.5 [-1.43; 0.41] p = 0.2.
- although reduced inflammatory markers were observed, preoperative administration of omega-3 FAs immunonutrients had no significant effect on the postoperative inflammatory response in patients undergoing abdominal surgeries.
- Yet, results obtained from this study are inconclusive, likely attributed to the limited number of trials and patients included.
Effect of omega-3 fatty acids supplementation on adipokines: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Sepidarkish M et al. • Critical reviews in food science and nutrition (2022)
The evidence supports a beneficial effect of omega-3 FAs intake on serum adiponectin levels but does not appear to impact on leptin concentrations.
- Omega-3 FAs intake was associated with a significant increase in plasma adiponectin levels (n = 43; 3,434 participants; SMD: 0.21, 95% CI: 0.04, 0.37; p = 0.01; I2= 80.14%).
- However, omega-3 FAs intake had no significant effect on leptin levels (SMD: -0.02, 95% CI: -0.20, 0.17, I2= 54.13%).
- The evidence supports a beneficial effect of omega-3 FAs intake on serum adiponectin levels but does not appear to impact on leptin concentrations.
Omega-3 fatty acids for depression in adults
Appleton KM et al. • Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2021)
Omega-3 fatty acids have a small-to-modest beneficial effect on depression compared to placebo.
- Significant reduction in depressive symptoms
- EPA-dominant formulas more effective for mood
- Effects seen at doses >1g EPA/day
Effect of omega-3 fatty acids and fish oil supplementation on multiple sclerosis: a systematic review
AlAmmar WA et al. • Nutritional neuroscience (2021)
These roles were attributed to their beneficial effects on inflammatory markers, glutathione reductase, reducing the relapsing rate, and achieving balanced omega-6 to omega-3 ratios.Conclusion: Omega-3 and fish oils supplementations have beneficial effects on reducing the relapsing rate, inflammatory markers, and improving the quality of life for MS patients.
- The inclusions were studies performed on humans both male and female, aged 18 years at minimum, diagnosed with MS according to McDonald 2010 criteria.
- Otherwise, all studies were excluded.Results: A total of 5554 studies were screened and seven were thoroughly focused on as they typically met the inclusion criteria.
- These studies showed the beneficial roles of fish oil supplementation and omega-3 fatty acids in improving the quality of life of MS patients.
Omega 3 fatty acid supplementation after myocardial infarction: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Popoff F et al. • BMC cardiovascular disorders (2019)
For adult patients with AMI, omega 3 fatty-acids probably yield no benefit to patient important outcomes.
- Regarding adverse events, we are uncertain if Omega 3 fatty acids improve/reduce non severe adverse events (RR 1.39 95% CI 0.36 to 5.34; very low certainty).
- There is probably little or no difference in the outcome suspension due to adverse events (RR 1.19 CI 95% 0.97 to 1.47; moderate certainty).
- For adult patients with AMI, omega 3 fatty-acids probably yield no benefit to patient important outcomes.
Systematic review and meta-analysis of omega-3-fatty acids in elderly patients with depression
Bae JH et al. • Nutrition research (New York, N.Y.) (2018)
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- In the well-being mental health group, the Hedges g was 0.12 (95% confidence interval, -0.05 to 0.29), which indicated no significant effect of n-3 PUFA supplementation on depressed mood compared with placebo.
- In the depressive group, the pooled Hedges g was -0.94 (95% CI, -1.37 to -0.50]) for the random-effects model, which indicated a large effect of n-3 PUFA supplementation on those with depressed mood compared with placebo.
- Although this review shows that omega-3 fatty acids are effective in the treatment of elderly depressed patients, the benefits of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation were significant only in the elderly patients with mild to moderate depression.Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc.
Effects of omega-3 fatty acids on coronary revascularization and cardiovascular events: a meta-analysis
Dinu M et al. • European journal of preventive cardiology (2024)
Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation reduced the risk of cardiovascular events and coronary revascularization, regardless of background statin use.
- Lower risk was still observed in trials where most participants (≥60%) were on statin therapy.
- Compared with DHA + EPA, EPA alone showed a further significant risk reduction of revascularizations (0.76, 95% CI 0.65-0.88; P = 0.0002; P-interaction = 0.005) and all outcomes except HF.
- Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation reduced the risk of cardiovascular events and coronary revascularization, regardless of background statin use.
Role of omega-3 fatty acids in reducing proteinuria: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Fei L et al. • Asia Pacific journal of clinical nutrition (2024)
The find-ings highlight the heterogeneity in responses to omega-3 fatty acid supplementation and emphasize the need for cautious interpretation.
- The meta-analysis revealed a neutral overall effect size of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on proteinuria levels, assessed under both common and random effect models.
- Despite the lack of statistically significant evidence supporting the efficacy of omega-3 fatty acids in reducing proteinuria, the variability in interventions and patient populations suggests potential individual responses.
- The find-ings highlight the heterogeneity in responses to omega-3 fatty acid supplementation and emphasize the need for cautious interpretation.
Marine-Based Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Metabolic Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Basirat A et al. • Nutrients (2025)
Marine-derived omega-3 supplementation produces substantial triglyceride reductions, especially at doses >2000 mg/day for ≥8 weeks.
- In other subgroups, either there were no data available or the number of studies was limited and could not be considered as statistically significant in meta-analysis due to low power.
- Marine-derived omega-3 supplementation produces substantial triglyceride reductions, especially at doses >2000 mg/day for ≥8 weeks.
- HDL cholesterol and blood pressure benefits are not consistent, fasting glycemia is largely unaffected, and LDL cholesterol may increase, especially in low doses.