Omega-3 supplementation significantly reduces homocysteine levels, lowering CVD risk: Study
Tehran, Iran: Omega 3 supplementation significantly improves plasma homocysteine (Hcy) levels, show results from a meta-analysis. Further studies however will be needed to confirm the findings. The study was published in Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases on May 21, 2022.
The results of the analyses demonstrated that compared to the control group, omega 3 supplementations significantly reduced plasma Hcy levels (WMD: -1.34 μmol/L). In addition, the supplementation during the < 12 weeks intervention and with a dose of ≥ 3 gr per day resulted in a greater decrease in Hcy levels than the intervention ≥12 weeks and at a dose of < 3 gr.
Some evidence has suggested that the supplementation of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) influences enzymes involved in homocysteine formation and improves hyperhomocysteinemia. However, these findings are still contradictory in humans. Azita Hekmatdoost, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, and colleagues, therefore, aimed to examine the effects of omega 3 supplementation on Hcy using existing randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in a systematic and meta-analysis study.
For this purpose, the researchers searched the online databases to find relevant RCTs up to June 2021. The effect size was expressed as weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI).
Key findings of the study include:
- 20 RCT studies with 2,676 participants were included in the article.
- The analyses showed that omega 3 supplementation significantly reduced plasma Hcy levels (WMD: -1.34 μmol/L) compared to the control group.
- The results of subgroup analysis showed that omega-3 supplementation during the intervention of < 12 weeks and with a dose of≥ 3 gr per day causes a more significant decrease in Hcy levels than the intervention ≥12 weeks and at a dose of < 3 gr.
- Omega-3 supplements appear to have more beneficial effects in individuals with high levels of normal Hcy.
To conclude, the meta-analysis showed that omega 3 supplementation significantly improved Hcy. However, further studies are required to confirm the findings.
Reference:
The study titled, "Impact of Omega-3 supplementation on homocysteine levels in humans: a systematic review and meta‐regression analysis of randomised controlled trials," was published in the journal Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases.
