Effects of Fish Oil Supplementation on Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM): A Systematic Review

Abstract

ContextOne of the most common complications of pregnancy is gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), which is increasing worldwide. Experimental and epidemiological studies have shown that higher intake of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids may decrease the risk of various diseases such as diabetes. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of fish oil supplementation on the prevention and treatment of GDM.Evidence AcquisitionThis systematic review was performed by searching several databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, the Cochrane Library, ProQuest, Science Direct SID, Magiran and IranMedex since 1983. The researchers also searched for references in reviewed clinical trial articles in which fish oil supplementation was compared with placebo or no supplementation.ResultsOnly two published and in-press articles are included in this review. Based on these studies, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-enriched fish oil (800 mg/d) had no effect on prevention of GDM [0.97 (95% CI: 0.74, 1.27)]. Furthermore, omega-3 fatty acid supplementation containing 180 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and 120 mg DHA had beneficial effects on insulin resistance in women with GDM (change from baseline: 1.5 ± 7.5 vs ‏3.5 ± 8.5 mIU/mL, P = 0.02) but did not influence fasting plasma glucose, homeostatic model assessment-Beta cell function (HOMA-B), the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI), or lipid profiles (P > 0.05).ConclusionsThere is not enough evidence to support or refute the routine use of fish oil supplements during pregnancy for the prevention or treatment of diabetes. It is suggested that further randomized controlled trials be conducted to evaluate the role of fish oil supplementation in pregnancy.

Gestational diabetes status and dietary intake modify maternal and cord blood allostatic load markers

“…A few micronutrients were supplemented to GDM women in previous studies but the intervention outcomes for the mother and child dyad showed mixed results. 32–34 Neither vitamin C nor vitamin D intakes modified any growth outcomes or AL in our study, though in some pilot interventions they showed promising results. 34 However, since the sample size of this study is relatively small, it may not have enough power to detect all potential nutrient and health outcome associations.…”

“… 27–31 A few studies investigated the effects of nutrients such as antioxidants, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and vitamin D on improving GDM outcomes, targeting their roles in inflammation suppression and oxidative stress reduction, yet the results are preliminary and inconsistent. 32–34 Dietary habits such as higher fruit and lower vegetable consumption or higher fat preference have been associated with higher AL in non-pregnant populations with type 2 diabetes or metabolic syndrome. 6 35 AL is also suggested as a mediator between nutrient-based Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension diet score and all cause mortality in the 2001–2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys.…”

Cod-Liver Oil Improves Metabolic Indices and hs-CRP Levels in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Patients: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

“…EPA and DHA have been widely reported to have protective functions for GDM patients [44][45][46]. However, EPA and Note: n = 268 in the interventional group and n = 270 in the control group.…”

Diet and Healthy Lifestyle in the Management of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

“…Contrary to these results, a systematic review from 2016 did not find any effect of fish oil supplements on FPG, Homeostatic model assessment-Beta cell function, or lipid profiles. It was concluded that there is not enough evidence to support the routine use of fish oil supplements during pregnancy in the treatment of diabetes [ 78 ].…”