Fish oil consumption may improve insulin sensitivity and adipocyte function, according to data from a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Using data from 14 trials, Jason Wu, PhD,and colleagues at the Harvard School of Public Health, along with the University of Western Australia, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, aimed to determine the effects of consuming long-chain polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) on circulating adiponectin in humans.

Participants in the 14 trials received fish oil at a median dose of 1.3 g/day for a median of 8 weeks (n=682) or placebo (olive and sunflower oil were most commonly used; n=641).

Fish oil was associated with a 0.37-mcg/mL (95% CI, 0.07-0.67) increase in adiponectin. According to the study results, statistical heterogeneity was evident but unexplained by n-3 PUFA dose or duration, study quality score, study location or baseline BMI (P>.05 each).

Two trial arms in one study examined the effect of fish meal feeding on adiponectin, but it was not statistically significant (–0.01 mcg/mL; P=.99).

“These findings support potential beneficial effects of fish oil supplementation on pathways related to adipocyte health and adiponectin metabolism,” Wu and colleagues wrote.

Source: Endocrine today