Omega-3 Deficiency

The Impact of a High-Fat Diet on Eye Health.

Pieńczykowska K, Bryl A, Mrugacz M · Nutrients · 2025

Background: The increasing prevalence of high-fat diets is associated with a rise in metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases. The retina and retinal pigment epithelium are metabolically active tissues exposed to oxidative stress, making them particularly vulnerable to lipid excess. Materials and Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted covering years until 2025 inclusive. Results: High-fat diets lead to cholesterol accumulation and lipid metabolism disturbances in the retina, retinal pigment epithelium, and ocular vessels. They activate inflammatory and oxidative stress pathways, resulting in structural and functional damage. Omega-3 deficiency exacerbates inflammation, while supplementation improves the tear film stability, corneal epithelial function, intraocular pressure regulation, and exerts neuroprotective effects. Conclusions: High-fat diets represent a significant risk factor for ocular diseases by disrupting lipid metabolism, enhancing inflammation, and inducing

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

AHA

The American Heart Association provides information on omega-3 fatty acids focusing on their role in cardiovascular health. It offers dietary recommendations and discusses supplements in the context of heart disease prevention.

Fish and Omega-3 Fatty Acids

AHA

The American Heart Association provides recommendations on the consumption of fish and omega-3 fatty acids for cardiovascular health. This guidance helps individuals understand the benefits and appropriate intake of these nutrients.

Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Tobacco Craving in Tobacco Users: A Single-blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Study.

Singh A, Verma N, Kant S, Verma AK, Tripathi A, Bhardwaj K · The Journal of the Association of Physicians of India · 2026 · n=83

Tobacco use and its smoke produces oxidative stress in the body, which eventually triggers cell damage by lipid peroxidation. Smokers report lower levels of omega-3 fatty acids (FAs) in their serum as compared to nonsmokers. Omega-3 deficiency impairs neurotransmission, resulting in hypofunctioning of the mesocortical system, which is a reward and dependency system that can raise tobacco cravings, disrupting tobacco quitting efforts. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) regulates stress, anxiety, and negative emotions that are associated with tobacco urges. Limited research has assessed the supplementation effect of omega-3 PUFA [in the form of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)] on tobacco craving. We aimed to explore the effects of omega-3 PUFA (ALA) on the frequency of tobacco use per day, tobacco dependence, and tobacco craving when compared to placebo in regular tobacco users. Regular tobacco users (n = 83) recruited from the Tobacco Cessation Clinic were randomly allocated to two

Correction of omega-3 fatty acid deficiency and improvement in disease activity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus treated with krill oil concentrate: a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Salmon J, Wallace DJ, Rus V, Cox A, Dykas C, Williams B · Lupus science & medicine · 2024 · n=39

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) play a critical role in regulating inflammation and lipid metabolism. This study sought to ascertain the frequency of omega-3 deficiency in patients with SLE and investigate whether supplementation with krill oil concentrate (KOC) could replenish omega-3 levels and decrease SLE disease activity. A multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in adult patients with active SLE. Eligible patients were randomised to receive 4 g/day KOC or placebo (vegetable oil mixture) for the first 24 weeks, and thereafter patients could opt to enter an open-label extension. The primary end point was improvement of the red blood cell Omega-3 Index from baseline to week 24. Changes in clinical features, including SLE Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K) disease activity scores, were also monitored. Seventy-eight patients met eligibility criteria and were randomised to a treatment group (n=39 per group). The baseline Omega-3

Effect of omega-3 supplementation on inflammatory parameters in patients on chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

Naini AE, Asiabi RE, Keivandarian N, Moeinzadeh F · Advanced biomedical research · 2015 · n=20

End stage renal disease (ESRD) is a state of micro inflammation that attenuates patient's life span and quality of life. Inflammatory markers like interlukin 6 (IL-6) and C- reactive protein (CRP) can predict inflammatory state in ESRD patients. Dietary limitations are risk factors for omega-3 deficiency in these patients. Omega-3 supplementation is an attractive material that proposed in inflammation modulation. The aim of this study is evaluation of effect of omega-3 supplementation on IL-6 and CRP level in chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients. This randomized controlled double-blind clinical trial is performed in 40 CAPD patients in two academic hospitals in Isfahan, Iran. One group received 1000 mg omega-3 capsule (each capsule contains 180 mg Eicosapentanoic and 120 mg Dosahexanoic acid) three times a day orally for 8 weeks (n = 20) and the other matched group by placebo (n = 20). Serum level of IL-6 and quantitative CRP (Q-CRP) were measured in beginning and th

Omega-3 fatty acids in mental disorders: from neurobiological and metabolic mechanisms to therapeutic potential.

Fleig K, Haslinger L, Dawczynski C, Kolassa IT · Frontiers in nutrition · 2026

Nutritional psychiatry is an emerging field. Micro- and macro-nutrients play a role in energy metabolism and the regulation of inflammation; particularly, an insufficient dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids and an imbalanced intake of omega-6/omega-3 fatty acids, with a shift toward increased inflammation, are of relevance for the pathophysiology of mental disorders. This review summarizes evidence on the role of omega-3 fatty acids in the pathophysiology of mental disorders (schizophrenia, affective and anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and eating disorders), neurodevelopmental disorders (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder) and neurodegenerative disorders (Alzheimer's disease) and explores potential treatment implications. In addition, the underlying neurobiological mechanisms through which omega-3 fatty acids might exert a protective effect are also discussed. Despite methodological variability and heterogeneous results, an increa

Selected Lipidome Components and Their Association with Perinatal Depression.

Ładno D, Nowak B, Palka A, Strzelecki D, Gawlik-Kotelnicka O · Nutrients · 2025

Background/Objectives: Perinatal depression affects approximately 21% of pregnant women and 15% postpartum, significantly impacting both maternal and child health. Lipid metabolism alterations, particularly involving fatty acids and lecithin, have been associated with mood disorders during the perinatal period. Omega-3 PUFAs (polyunsaturated fatty acids) play a key role in mood regulation and neuroinflammatory processes, while lecithin significantly influences neurotransmitter synthesis. Methods: A narrative review was conducted using PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar for relevant articles which were qualitatively analyzed. Most of the literature included was published between 2020 and 2025 with selected earlier studies used, primarily, to outline the theoretical background. Results: This narrative review highlights substantial evidence linking components of lipidome, particularly omega-3 fatty acids and lecithin, and the occurrence of perinatal depression. Omega-3 deficiency increases

Maternal fatty acid intake and human embryonic growth: the Rotterdam Periconception Cohort.

Rubini E, van Rossem L, Schoenmakers S, Willemsen SP, Sinclair KD, Steegers-Theunissen RPM · European journal of epidemiology · 2024

The required intake of macronutrients by women during the periconceptional period for optimal fetal growth is the subject of ongoing investigation. Intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) is positively associated with fetal neural development, growth velocity and birth weight. However, limited evidence indicates that PUFAs play a role in embryogenesis. We aim to investigate the associations between maternal PUFA dietary intake and first trimester embryonic volume (EV) and head volume (HV). In a prospective cohort study (2013-2020), 464 pregnant women at < 8 weeks of gestation were included. Maternal dietary intake of PUFAs, including omega 3 (docosahexaenoic acid, DHA and eicosapentaeonic acid, EPA) and 6, was obtained from food frequency questionnaires, and first trimester three-dimensional ultrasound examinations were performed to measure EV and HV using Virtual Reality techniques. More than 70% of the population had omega 3 intakes below recommendations. A higher inta

Dietary Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Deprivation Does Not Alter Seizure Thresholds but May Prevent the Anti-seizure Effects of Injected Docosahexaenoic Acid in Rats.

Taha AY, Trepanier MO, Coibanu FA, Saxena A, Jeffrey MA, Taha NMY · Frontiers in neurology · 2018

Background: Brain concentrations of omega-3 docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) have been reported to positively correlate with seizure thresholds in rodent seizure models. It is not known whether brain DHA depletion, achieved by chronic dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) deficiency, lowers seizure thresholds in rats. Objective: The present study tested the hypothesis that lowering brain DHA concentration with chronic dietary n-3 PUFA deprivation in rats will reduce seizure thresholds, and that compared to injected oleic acid (OA), injected DHA will raise seizure thresholds in rats maintained on n-3 PUFA adequate and deficient diets. Methods: Rats (60 days old) were surgically implanted with electrodes in the amygdala, and subsequently randomized to the AIN-93G diet containing adequate levels of n-3 PUFA derived from soybean oil or an n-3 PUFA-deficient diet derived from coconut and safflower oil. The rats were maintained on the diets for 37 weeks. Afterdischarge seizure

Omega-3 Supplements: In Depth

NIH/NCCIH

The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) offers an in-depth look at omega-3 supplements, discussing the current scientific evidence for their various health claims. It evaluates their efficacy for different conditions.

Prospective Evaluation of a Parenteral Omega-3 Fatty Acid Preparation (Omegaven™) in Therapy of Patients With TPN-Induced Cholestasis

n=72 · NCT00826020 · COMPLETED · COMPLETED

The purpose of this study is to determine if established parenteral nutrition (PN) associated liver disease can be reversed or its progression halted by using a parenteral fat emulsion prepared from fish oil as measured by normalization of serum levels of hepatic enzymes and bilirubin.

The Effects of a Dialysis-Specific Formula Rich in Branched-Chain Amino Acids, Omega-3, and Dietary Fiber on Nutritional Status

n=100 · NCT07060040 · NOT_YET_RECRUITING · NOT_YET_RECRUITING

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of a specialized oral nutritional supplement (SF) enriched with BCAAs, omega-3 fatty acids, and dietary fiber on improving the nutritional status of dialysis patients with mild to moderate malnutrition, and thereby alleviating fatigue and enhancing quality of life. We will assess various aspects of protein-energy wasting (PEW), as well as changes in the Malnutrition Inflammation Score (MIS), Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI), fatigue, appetite, serum BCAA levels, uremic toxins, and gut microbiota composition.

Phase II Safety and Tolerability Study of High Fat/High Calorie Versus High Calorie Versus Optimal Nutrition in Subjects With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

n=28 · NCT00983983 · COMPLETED · COMPLETED

The purpose of this study is to determine the safety, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy of long-term use of high fat/high calorie and high calorie diets in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) (Lou Gehrig's disease).

TRIP Database: Omega-3 Deficiency Search

TRIP Database

TRIP is a clinical search engine that allows health professionals to quickly and easily find high-quality research evidence to support their practice regarding conditions like omega-3 deficiency.

Cochrane Library- Omega-3 fatty acids

Cochrane

The Cochrane Library provides a collection of systematic reviews and meta-analyses related to omega-3 fatty acids. It synthesizes evidence to inform healthcare decisions and is considered a leading source for evidence-based medicine.

TRIP Database - Omega-3 Fatty Acids

TRIP Database

TRIP is a clinical search engine designed to allow users to quickly and easily find high-quality research evidence to support their practice. Searching for 'Omega-3 Fatty Acids' provides access to a wide range of evidence-based resources.