Omega-3 supplementation effects on polycystic ovary syndrome symptoms and metabolic syndrome

Abstract

Background:Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common female endocrine disorder with unknown etiology and with different complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of omega-3 supplementation on PCOS symptoms and metabolic syndrome.Materials and Methods:This double-blind clinical trial was performed in 2015 in Alzahra and Shahid Beheshti Hospitals, Isfahan, Iran, on 88 patients with PCOS. Intervention group took omega-3 supplements with dose of 2 g/day for 6 months (two capsules), but control group received two olive oil capsules. Finally, ultrasound and laboratory findings and the recovery rate of menstrual disorders in both groups were compared.Results:After 6 months’ intervention, waist circumference (WC) was significantly lower in omega-3 as compared to control (81.18 ± 2.87 vs. 84.22 ± 2.61 cm, respectively, P < 0.0001). High-density lipoprotein was increased (47.2 ± 1.37 vs. 41.56 ± 1.34 mg/dl, respectively, P < 0.0001) while low-density lipoprotein (107.79 ± 1.68 vs. 117.4 ± 1.57 mg/dl, respectively), triglyceride (116.02 ± 3.13 vs. 125.06 ± 2.91 mg/dl, respectively), and cholesterol (180.34 ± 6.34 vs. 189.56 ± 5.93 mg/dl, respectively) in omega-3 were significantly lower than control (P < 0.0001). The interval between periods in omega-3 was significantly shorter than control (29.83 ± 4.68 vs. 47.11 ± 8.72 days, respectively, P < 0.001).Conclusion:Omega-3 decrease lipid profiles, WC, and interval between periods while weight, hip circumference, fasting blood sugar, number of ovarian follicle, size of ovary, bleeding volume, menstrual bleeding, and hirsutism score did not change by administration of omega-3.

Effectiveness of Omega-3 fatty acid for polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Among the 9 included RCTs, four studies [ 18 , 26 – 28 ] adopted unclear randomization procedures, while the others described adequate methods of random sequence generation: the block randomization procedure [ 25 ], website [ 17 ], random-maker software “random allocation” [ 8 ] or computer-generated randomization list [ 19 , 20 ]; we rated the five studies as having an unclear risk of bias, while the others trials were at low risk of bias. We rated three trials [ 8 , 17 , 25 ] as having an unclear risk of bias because they did not describe an acceptable method of allocation concealment; because of that the others [ 19 , 20 , 26 – 28 ] described that drugs in trial groups and control groups were similar in shape, size and so on that the patients and researcher were not aware until the end of the analysis, we rated them as having a low risk of bias. For participant and outcome assessment blinding, five trials were unclear [ 17 – 20 , 26 ], but they used objective measures (e.g.…”

“…Five RCTs [ 8 , 17 , 20 , 25 , 28 ] reported the change of HOMA at the end of treatment. Due to the low heterogeneity, we used fix effect model.…”

“…Five RCTs [ 8 , 17 , 19 , 25 , 27 ] reported triglyceride (TG) level. Due to the heterogeneity (Tau 2 = 383.21, I 2 = 84%, P <0.0001), we used random effect model.…”

“…The recommended treatments for PCOS women, especially for PCOS patients with obesity, are lifestyle and nutrition interventions and weight loss [ 6 , 7 ]. The current study shows that metabolic disorders in patients with PCOS may be improved by the intervention of dietary factors such as anti-inflammatory foods [ 8 ]. Among dietary factors, omega-3 fatty acids play an important role in immune regulation, insulin sensitivity, cellular differentiation, and ovulation [ 8 , 9 ].…”

“…The current study shows that metabolic disorders in patients with PCOS may be improved by the intervention of dietary factors such as anti-inflammatory foods [ 8 ]. Among dietary factors, omega-3 fatty acids play an important role in immune regulation, insulin sensitivity, cellular differentiation, and ovulation [ 8 , 9 ]. This dietary supplement may be used for improving excessive oxidative stress-caused folliculogenesis disorder and hyperinsulinemia in women with PCOS [ 10 – 12 ].…”