Omega-3 supplementation and diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#blood-glucose #diabetes-mellitus #diabetes-mellitus-type-2 #dietary-supplements #fatty-acids-omega-3

Omega-3 supplementation and diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Delpino et al., 2022 | Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr | Meta Analysis

Citation

Delpino Felipe Mendes, Figueiredo Lílian Munhoz, ... Gigante Denise Petrucci. Omega-3 supplementation and diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2022;62(16):4435-4448. doi:10.1080/10408398.2021.1875977

Abstract

This study aimed to review the literature on studies that evaluated the effects of omega-3 supplementation on parameters of diabetes in humans. An online search was conducted in the following databases: Pubmed, LILACS, Scielo, Scopus, and Web of Science. It included experimental studies that investigated the effects of omega-3 supplementation for diabetes treatment or prevention and its relationship with fasting blood glucose, insulin resistance, and glycated hemoglobin. Observational, non-human studies and non-randomized clinical trials were excluded. The Cochrane scale assessed the quality of the studies. A meta-analysis was carried out to evaluate the effect of omega-3 on fasting blood glucose, insulin resistance, and glycated hemoglobin. Thirty studies were included in the review. Almost 70% (n = 20) demonstrated at least one significant effect of the omega-3 supplementation related to diabetes. In the meta-analysis, there was a significant effect on the reduction of fasting blood glucose [SMD: -0.48; CI95%: -0.76, -0.19; p = 0.01; I2 = 88%] and insulin resistance [SMD: -0.61; CI95%: -0.98, -0.24; p = 0.01; I2 = 90%]. For glycated hemoglobin, there was no significant effect in the meta-analysis. This systematic review with meta-analysis demonstrated that supplementation with omega-3 has protective effects on diabetes parameters.

Key Findings

This systematic review with meta-analysis demonstrated that supplementation with omega-3 has protective effects on diabetes parameters.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size 20
Age Range See abstract
Condition diabetes

MeSH Terms

  • Blood Glucose
  • Diabetes Mellitus
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3
  • Glycated Hemoglobin
  • Humans
  • Insulin Resistance

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: omega-3

Provenance

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