Supplementation with omega-3 and lean body mass in the general population: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Level 1 - systematic review of randomized trials
Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
PubMed 34330453 · doi:10.1016/j.clnesp.2021.05.002
What was done
The authors conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis across eight databases (PubMed, LILACS, SciELO, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, SPORTDiscus, and Cochrane Library). They included randomized clinical trials evaluating the effects of omega-3 supplementation compared to placebo on lean body mass in humans, using the Cochrane tool to assess risk of bias.
What was found
Eleven studies were included. Two studies individually reported significant effects on lean body mass, but the pooled meta-analysis found no significant effect of omega-3 supplementation compared to placebo. No numerical effect sizes, confidence intervals, or p-values were reported in the abstract.
Why it matters
Contrary to previous narrative reviews and findings in specific subgroups, this systematic synthesis indicates that omega-3 supplementation does not improve lean body mass in the broader human population.
Limits
The abstract lacks total participant numbers, pooled effect sizes, confidence intervals, intervention durations, doses, and detailed population demographics.
Cited by
- contradicts Meta-analyses support that omega-3 supplementation improves muscle mass in humans.