Benefits of fish oil supplementation in hyperlipidemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#animals #cholesterol-hdl #cholesterol-ldl #dietary-fats #dietary-supplements

Benefits of fish oil supplementation in hyperlipidemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Eslick et al., 2009 | Int J Cardiol | Meta Analysis

Citation

Eslick Guy D, Howe Peter R C, ... Bensoussan Alan. Benefits of fish oil supplementation in hyperlipidemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Cardiol. 2009-Jul-24;136(1):4-16. doi:10.1016/j.ijcard.2008.03.092

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Fish oils have been widely reported as a useful supplement to reduce fasting blood triglyceride levels in individuals with hyperlipidemia. We performed an updated meta-analysis to quantitatively evaluate all the randomized trials of fish oils in hyperlipidemic subjects. METHODS: We conducted a systematic literature search using several electronic databases supplemented by manual searches of published reference lists, review articles and conference abstracts. We included all placebo-controlled randomized trials of parallel design that evaluated any of the main blood lipid outcomes: total, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol or triglycerides (TG). Data were pooled using DerSimonian-Laird's random effects model. RESULTS: The final analysis comprised of 47 studies in otherwise untreated subjects showed that taking fish oils (weighted average daily intake of 3.25 g of EPA and/or DHA) produced a clinically significant reduction of TG (-0.34 mmol/L, 95% CI: -0.41 to -0.27), no change in total cholesterol (-0.01 mmol/L, 95% CI: -0.03 to 0.01) and very slight increases in HDL (0.01 mmol/L, 95% CI: 0.00 to 0.02) and LDL cholesterol (0.06 mmol/L, 95% CI: 0.03 to 0.09). The reduction of TG correlated with both EPA+DHA intake and initial TG level. CONCLUSION: Fish oil supplementation produces a clinically significant dose-dependent reduction of fasting blood TG but not total, HDL or LDL cholesterol in hyperlipidemic subjects.

Key Findings

The final analysis comprised of 47 studies in otherwise untreated subjects showed that taking fish oils (weighted average daily intake of 3.25 g of EPA and/or DHA) produced a clinically significant reduction of TG (-0.34 mmol/L, 95% CI: -0.41 to -0.27), no change in total cholesterol (-0.01 mmol/L, 95% CI: -0.03 to 0.01) and very slight increases in HDL (0.01 mmol/L, 95% CI: 0.00 to 0.02) and LDL cholesterol (0.06 mmol/L, 95% CI: 0.03 to 0.09). The reduction of TG correlated with both EPA+DHA in

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population hyperlipidemia
Sample Size 47
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Cholesterol, HDL
  • Cholesterol, LDL
  • Dietary Fats
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Fish Oils
  • Humans
  • Hyperlipidemias
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Triglycerides

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: omega-3

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09