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The combined effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation and exercise training on body composition and cardiometabolic health in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis

M. Khalafi, A. H. Maleki, M. Symonds, S. Rosenkranz, M. Ehsanifar, Sanaz Mohammadi Dinani

Clinical Nutrition ESPEN, 2025

673 participants · 5 citations

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the effects of combining omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) supplementation with exercise training, as compared to exercise training alone, on body composition measures including body weight, body mass index (BMI), fat mass, body fat percentage, and lean body mass. Additionally, we determined the effects on cardiometabolic health outcomes including lipid profiles, blood pressure, glycemic markers, and inflammatory markers.

METHOD

Three primary electronic databases including PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched from inception to April 5th, 2023 to identify original articles comparing n-3 PUFA supplementation plus exercise training versus exercise training alone, that investigated at least one of the following outcomes: fat mass, body fat percentage, lean body mass, triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressures, fasting glucose and insulin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Standardized mean differences (SMD) or weighted mean differences (WMD), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using random-effects models.

RESULTS

A total of 21 studies involving 673 participants with BMIs ranging from 24-37 kg.m2 and ages ranging from 30-70 years were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, the results indicated that as compared with…

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: 673 participants or records.

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