Evidence Hub

Omega-3 fatty acids and cardiovascular risk-related metabolic markers in diverse populations: a meta-analysis of randomized trials

Chen C, Li X, Yan H, Liu J, Cao Y, Zhao H, Liu S, Wang Y et al.

Nutrition, metabolism, and cardiovascular diseases : NMCD, 2026

2,043 participants · 2 citations

Abstract

AIM

Many studies reported the effects of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) towards cardiovascular risk, but results are inconclusive. This meta-analysis systemically explored PUFA-mediated effects on representative cardiovascular-related metabolic markers, including glycolipid profile, adiponectin, and oxidative stress indicators in different people.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Literature search on PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were performed up to October 11, 2024. Randomized controlled trials focusing on the effects of n-3 PUFA supplementation on triacylglycerol (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), total cholesterol (TC), apolipoprotein, adipokine, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), c-reactive protein (CRP), and oxidative stress biomarkers were chosen as outcome variables. There were 24 studies with 2043 subjects showed significant effects: (1)TG decreased by 16.95 mg/dl (21 trials, n = 1491; 95 % CI: 23.25, -10.66), (2)HDL increased by 1.55 mg/dl (22 trials, n = 1914; 95 % CI: 0.69, 2.42), (3)adiponectin increased by 0.96 μg/ml (3 trials, n = 198; 95 % CI: 0.03, 1.8), (4)HbA1c decreased by 0.17 % (3 trials, n = 283; 95 % CI: 0.29, -0.04), (5)LDL decreased by 10.98 mg/dl in women (4 trials, n = 236; 95 % CI: 19.41, -2.5) and by 13.77 mg/dl in the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) (3 trials, n = 180; 95 % CI: 22.83, -4.7), (6)TC decreased by 15.58 mg/dl in women (4 trials, n = 236; 95 % CI: 24.64, -6.53).

CONCLUSIONS

The meta-analysis…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid. Reported size: 2,043 participants or records.

How the five levels of evidence work. The level is assigned automatically from the abstract and can be wrong, so check the paper.

Read the paper

Related studies

Go deeper in Evidence Hub

Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.

Open this study Sign up free