Research

Algae Oil (Omega-3)

80 peer-reviewed studies curated from PubMed and Semantic Scholar.

8
Meta-analyses
1
Systematic reviews
60
RCTs
11
Other studies
Meta-analyses (10%)
Systematic reviews (1%)
RCTs (75%)
Observational (4%)

Studies

Sorted by quality and recency

2025·Indian pediatrics·Shweta Khandelwal, Tavleen Kaur, Dimple Kondal, et al

Docosahexaenoic Acid Supplementation During Pregnancy and Lactation and Infant Morbidity: Findings from DHANI Trial.

RCTn = 957Immunity Inflammation

A double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial assessed the impact of maternal DHA supplementation during pregnancy and lactation on infant morbidity. The study found fewer respiratory infection symptoms at 1 month and fewer occurrences of other symptoms at 6 months in the DHA group compared to placebo, but no major differences in common morbidity symptoms at 1, 6, and 12 months.

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2025·European journal of pediatrics·Hymel Rais, Etienne Pronovost, Mireille Guillot, et al

Can prenatal conditions impact the effect of omega-3 on bronchopulmonary dysplasia in very preterm infants? A secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial.

RCTn = 271

Secondary analysis of the MOBYDIck RCT evaluating the effect of neonatal high-dose DHA supplementation through maternal breastmilk on bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in very preterm infants. The study found that the association between DHA and BPD differed by chorioamnionitis status, with a reduced risk of physiological BPD in infants exposed to chorioamnionitis and born vaginally.

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2024·Prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and essential fatty acids·Dirk Wackernagel, Anders K Nilsson, Ulrika Sjöbom, et al

Enteral supplementation with arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acid and pulmonary outcome in extremely preterm infants.

RCTn = 204

RCT evaluating enteral supplementation with arachidonic acid (AA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in 204 extremely preterm infants. The study found that AA:DHA supplementation was not associated with increased bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) severity, but higher AA levels were linked to less severe BPD.

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2023·JAMA network open·Isabelle Marc, Amélie Boutin, Etienne Pronovost, et al

Association Between Enteral Supplementation With High-Dose Docosahexaenoic Acid and Risk of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia in Preterm Infants: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Meta-analysisn = 2,304

Systematic review and meta-analysis of 4 RCTs involving 2304 preterm infants to assess the effect of high-dose DHA supplementation on bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Overall, DHA was not associated with BPD, but an inverse association was found in RCTs using a stringent BPD definition, suggesting mixed effects.

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2023·Nutrients·Karen P Best, Thomas R Sullivan, Anoja W Gunaratne, et al

Effect of Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) Supplementation of Preterm Infants on Growth, Body Composition, and Blood Pressure at 7-Years Corrected Age: Follow-Up of a Randomized Controlled Trial.

RCTn = 657Nutrition -Physique

Seven-year follow-up of a randomized controlled trial assessing the effects of high-DHA supplementation in preterm infants on growth, body composition, and blood pressure. No significant effects were found overall or by sex and birthweight strata, but a higher risk of obesity was noted in the high-DHA group.

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2022·Neonatology·Georgina Angoa, Etienne Pronovost, Aissatou Bintou Khairy Thilor Ndiaye, et al

Effect of Maternal Docosahexaenoic Acid Supplementation on Very Preterm Infant Growth: Secondary Outcome of a Randomized Clinical Trial.

RCTn = 528Nutrition

RCT examining the effect of maternal DHA supplementation during lactation on the growth of very preterm infants. DHA positively affected female infants' weight profile and velocity, but negatively affected male infants' weight at 36 weeks' PMA.

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2022·Current problems in cardiology·Seyed Abdulmajid Ayatollahi, Sedigheh Asgary, Fahimeh Ghanbari, et al

Quantifying the Impact of Algae Supplement on Blood Pressure: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Meta-analysisHeart Health

Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials evaluating the antihypertensive activity of algae supplements on blood pressure. The meta-analysis of 10 studies showed no difference in mean systolic blood pressure but a significant reduction in mean diastolic blood pressure in the treatment group compared to control. Further investigation and large-scale RCTs are needed to confirm these results.

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2021·Pediatric research·Kathleen M Gustafson, Danielle N Christifano, Dirk Hoyer, et al

Prenatal docosahexaenoic acid effect on maternal-infant DHA-equilibrium and fetal neurodevelopment: a randomized clinical trial.

RCTn = 300Brain Health -

RCT testing the effect of maternal DHA supplementation on maternal-infant DHA equilibrium and fetal neurodevelopment. Pregnant women receiving 800mg DHA were more likely to achieve equilibrium, but equilibrium status had no effect on fetal neurodevelopment.

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2021·JAMA pediatrics·Ann Hellström, Anders K Nilsson, Dirk Wackernagel, et al

Effect of Enteral Lipid Supplement on Severe Retinopathy of Prematurity: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

RCTn = 206Womens Health

The Mega Donna Mega trial, a randomized clinical trial, investigated the effect of enteral supplementation with arachidonic acid (AA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on severe retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in extremely preterm infants. The study found that AA:DHA supplementation reduced the risk of severe ROP by 50% compared to standard care and increased serum levels of AA and DHA.

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2020·European journal of clinical pharmacology·Rakesh Balachandar, Soundarya Soundararajan, Bhavani Shankara Bagepally

Docosahexaenoic acid supplementation in age-related cognitive decline: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Meta-analysisn = 2,327Brain Health -

Systematic review and meta-analysis of DHA supplementation in 2327 elderly individuals to assess its effects on age-related cognitive decline. The study found minimal or no significant effects on memory, attention, working memory, and executive function.

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2020·Pediatrics·Kelly M Boone, Andria Parrott, Joseph Rausch, et al

Fatty Acid Supplementation and Socioemotional Outcomes: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Trial.

RCTn = 377Brain Health

Secondary analysis of a randomized trial testing the effect of DHA and AA supplementation on socioemotional outcomes in preterm children. No significant benefit on broad socioemotional development was observed, but supplementation decreased the risk of being at-risk for ASD.

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2020·Journal of Alzheimer's disease : JAD·Natalie Tomaszewski, Xulei He, Victoria Solomon, et al

Effect of APOE Genotype on Plasma Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA), Eicosapentaenoic Acid, Arachidonic Acid, and Hippocampal Volume in the Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study-Sponsored DHA Clinical Trial.

RCTn = 275Brain Health

RCT examining the effect of DHA supplementation on plasma DHA/AA and EPA/AA ratios and hippocampal volumes in Alzheimer's patients with different APOE genotypes. APOE4 carriers showed no cognitive benefit from DHA, while non-carriers benefited. DHA-treated APOE3/3 and APOE2/3 carriers had greater increases in plasma DHA/AA compared to APOE4/4 carriers.

PubMedRead on PubMed
2020·Ageing research reviews·Mahboobeh Hosseini, Anne Poljak, Nady Braidy, et al

Blood fatty acids in Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment: A meta-analysis and systematic review.

Meta-analysisBrain Health

Meta-analysis and systematic review of plasma fatty acids in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) was significantly lower in both MCI and AD, suggesting it may be a driver of pathology. Total fatty acids were 27.2% lower in AD relative to controls.

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2019·Translational psychiatry·Yuhua Liao, Bo Xie, Huimin Zhang, et al

Efficacy of omega-3 PUFAs in depression: A meta-analysis.

Meta-analysisn = 2,160Mood

Meta-analysis of 26 double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trials with 2160 participants assessing the efficacy of omega-3 PUFAs, particularly EPA and DHA, on depression. The analysis found that EPA-pure and EPA-major formulations showed beneficial effects on depression symptoms, while DHA formulations did not.

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2016·BMC Pediatrics·C. Collins, R. Gibson, M. Makrides, et al

The N3RO trial: a randomised controlled trial of docosahexaenoic acid to reduce bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants < 29 weeks’ gestation

RCTn = 1,244

This multicentre, randomised controlled trial investigates the effectiveness of supplementary docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in reducing bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in preterm infants less than 29 weeks' gestation. Infants are randomized to receive an enteral emulsion containing DHA or a control emulsion without DHA, with the primary outcome being the requirement for supplemental oxygen and/or assisted ventilation at 36 weeks' postmenstrual age.

Semantic ScholarRead on Semantic Scholar
2012·Journal of atherosclerosis and thrombosis·Hiroshige Itakura, Mitsuhiro Yokoyama, Masunori Matsuzaki, et al

The change in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration is positively related to plasma docosahexaenoic acid but not eicosapentaenoic acid.

RCTn = 13,901Heart Health

The study examined the correlation between changes in plasma fatty acids and serum lipids in 13,901 JELIS participants. It found that changes in DHA, but not EPA, showed a positive correlation with changes in LDL cholesterol levels.

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2011·The Journal of nutrition·Adam M Bernstein, Eric L Ding, Walter C Willett, et al

A meta-analysis shows that docosahexaenoic acid from algal oil reduces serum triglycerides and increases HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol in persons without coronary heart disease.

Meta-analysisn = 485Heart Health

Meta-analysis of 11 RCTs with 485 healthy participants examining algal oil DHA supplementation. DHA from algal oil reduced serum triglycerides and increased HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol in persons without coronary heart disease.

PubMedRead on PubMed
2025·Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland)·Gunnthorunn Gunnarsdottir, Madelaine Eloranta Rossholt, Tone Nordvik, et al

High dose arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acid in very preterm infants and neurodevelopment at 2 years - A double-blind randomized controlled trial.

RCTn = 120Brain Health -

RCT of 120 very preterm infants receiving ARA and DHA supplementation versus medium chain triglycerides. At two years corrected age, there were no significant differences in neurodevelopmental outcomes between the treatment groups. Factors like maternal education and growth rates were associated with neurodevelopmental outcomes.

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2025·Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland)·Tingchao He, Jian Zhang, Ai Zhao, et al

Docosahexaenoic acid supplementation in pregnancy and early lactation: Impacts on breast milk docosahexaenoic acid and Maternal-Infant gut microbiota - A randomized controlled trial.

RCTn = 79Gut Health Nutrition

This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effects of DHA supplementation during pregnancy on DHA concentrations in colostrum and the gut microbiota of mothers and infants. The study found that DHA supplementation significantly increased DHA levels in colostrum and influenced Lactobacillus abundance in the fecal microbiome at 42 days postpartum.

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2025·Breast cancer research : BCR·Jaqueline Munhoz, Marnie Newell, Susan Goruk, et al

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation attenuates changes in the concentration, phenotype, and response of immune peripheral blood cells in breast cancer patients undergoing neoadjuvant therapy. Secondary findings from the DHA-WIN trial.

RCTImmunity Womens Health

The DHA-WIN trial assessed the effects of DHA supplementation on immune function in women with early-stage breast cancer undergoing neoadjuvant therapy. DHA supplementation maintained T cell and monocyte levels, stabilized the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and enhanced cytokine secretion, suggesting improved systemic immune function.

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2024·Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland)·Susanna Klevebro, Simon Kebede Merid, Ulrika Sjöbom, et al

Arachidonic acid and docosahexaenoic acid levels correlate with the inflammation proteome in extremely preterm infants.

RCTn = 183Inflammation

Retrospective exploratory study of 183 extremely preterm infants from the Mega Donna Mega trial, examining associations between DHA, AA, and inflammation-related proteins. The study found that both DHA and AA contribute to the regulation of the inflammatory proteome, with 41 proteins related to inflammation. IL-6 and CCL7 cytokines were negatively related to DHA and AA levels.

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2024·Clinical nutrition ESPEN·Sara-Pier Paquet, Etienne Pronovost, David Simonyan, et al

Maternal high-dose docosahexaenoic acid supplementation and neurodevelopment at 5 Years of preterm children.

RCTn = 132Brain Health -

This study is a follow-up of a multicenter RCT assessing the effects of high-dose DHA supplementation through maternal breastmilk on neurodevelopmental outcomes in very preterm children at 5 years. The study found no significant differences in behavioral functioning between the DHA and placebo groups.

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2023·Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland)·Madelaine Eloranta Rossholt, Marianne Bratlie, Kristina Wendel, et al

Effect of arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acid supplementation on quality of growth in preterm infants: A secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial.

RCTn = 121Nutrition

This secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial evaluated the effect of arachidonic acid (ARA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation on growth and body composition in preterm infants. The ARA:DHA group showed better linear growth from birth to term equivalent age compared to the control group, but no differences in growth and body composition outcomes at 3 months corrected age.

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2023·Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland)·Sissel J Moltu, Tone Nordvik, Madelaine E Rossholt, et al

Arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acid supplementation and brain maturation in preterm infants; a double blind RCT.

RCTn = 120Brain Health

Double-blind RCT of 120 preterm infants testing ARA and DHA supplementation versus control. The ARA:DHA group showed significantly higher fractional anisotropy and lower radial diffusivity in several white matter tracts, suggesting improved brain maturation.

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2023·Neonatology·Kristina Wendel, Gunnthorunn Gunnarsdottir, Marlen Fossan Aas, et al

Essential Fatty Acid Supplementation and Early Inflammation in Preterm Infants: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial.

RCTn = 120Inflammation

Secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial investigating the effect of ARA and DHA supplementation on systemic inflammation in very preterm infants. The ARA:DHA group had significantly lower IL-6 levels compared to the control group, suggesting that supplementation may modulate inflammation.

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2023·European journal of nutrition·Benjamin Seethaler, Katja Lehnert, Maryam Yahiaoui-Doktor, et al

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids improve intestinal barrier integrity-albeit to a lesser degree than short-chain fatty acids: an exploratory analysis of the randomized controlled LIBRE trial.

RCTn = 68Gut Health

The study assessed the effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) on intestinal barrier integrity in 68 women from the LIBRE trial. Results showed that adherence to a Mediterranean diet increased DHA levels and improved markers of barrier integrity, such as plasma LBP and fecal zonulin, although the effect was less pronounced than that of short-chain fatty acids.

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2023·F1000Research·Sebastián Jannas-Vela, Alejandro A Candia, Luis Peñailillo, et al

Role of specialized pro-resolving mediators on inflammation, cardiometabolic health, disease progression, and quality of life after omega-3 PUFA supplementation and aerobic exercise training in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized 16-week, placebo-controlled interventional trial.

RCTInflammation Heart Health

This randomized, placebo-controlled trial investigates the effects of omega-3 PUFA supplementation and aerobic exercise on inflammation, cardiometabolic health, and quality of life in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis over 16 weeks. The study aims to elucidate the role of specialized pro-resolving mediators in these outcomes.

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2022·Nutrients·Julio Plaza-Diaz, Francisco Javier Ruiz-Ojeda, Javier Morales, et al

Effects of a Novel Infant Formula on Weight Gain, Body Composition, Safety and Tolerability to Infants: The INNOVA 2020 Study.

RCTn = 210Nutrition

Multicenter RCT evaluating a novel infant formula (INN) with altered protein content and increased DHA/arachidonic acid on weight gain and body composition in infants. Both formula groups showed higher weight gain than the breastfed group, with no differences between the INN and standard formula groups. The INN formula was considered safe, with fewer general disorders compared to the standard formula.

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2022·Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland)·Kristina Wendel, Marlen Fossan Aas, Gunnthorunn Gunnarsdottir, et al

Effect of arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acid supplementation on respiratory outcomes and neonatal morbidities in preterm infants.

RCTn = 120

This study is a secondary analysis of the ImNuT trial, investigating the effect of ARA and DHA supplementation on respiratory outcomes in preterm infants. The supplementation led to a significant reduction in days with respiratory support and lower oxygen demand compared to the control group, with no significant differences in incidence of BPD and other major morbidities.

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2022·European journal of nutrition·Elena García-Maldonado, Alexandra Alcorta, Belén Zapatera, et al

Changes in fatty acid levels after consumption of a novel docosahexaenoic supplement from algae: a crossover randomized controlled trial in omnivorous, lacto-ovo vegetarians and vegans.

RCTn = 116Nutrition

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial in 116 omnivorous, lacto-ovo vegetarians, and vegans assessed the effects of a 250 mg/day DHA supplement from microalgae on serum fatty acid profiles. The DHA supplement increased serum DHA levels across all diet groups, with the greatest increase in vegans, and improved the serum n-6/n-3 ratio.

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2022·Nutrients·Kaori Yokoi-Shimizu, Kenichi Yanagimoto, Kohsuke Hayamizu

Effect of Docosahexaenoic Acid and Eicosapentaenoic Acid Supplementation on Sleep Quality in Healthy Subjects: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

RCTn = 66Sleep

RCT of 66 healthy Japanese adults aged ≥ 45 years comparing DHA/EPA supplementation to placebo for 12 weeks. The DHA/EPA group showed significant improvements in sleep quality, including frequent dreaming and sleep efficiency.

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2022·International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry·Alexia Mengelberg, J. Leathem, J. Podd, et al

The effects of docosahexaenoic acid supplementation on cognition and well‐being in mild cognitive impairment: A 12‐month randomised controlled trial

RCTBrain Health Mental Clarity

This randomised controlled trial investigated the cognitive effects of a DHA fish oil supplement in older adults with mild cognitive impairment, examining the moderating effect of the APOE ɛ4 allele on cognition and well-being.

Semantic ScholarRead on Semantic Scholar
2021·Scientific reports·Hélène Fougère, Jean-François Bilodeau, Pascal M Lavoie, et al

Docosahexaenoic acid-rich algae oil supplementation on breast milk fatty acid profile of mothers who delivered prematurely: a randomized clinical trial.

RCTNutrition Inflammation

RCT examining the effect of DHA-rich algae oil supplementation on the breast milk fatty acid profile of mothers who delivered prematurely. Supplementation increased DHA content and altered the ratio of fatty acids, potentially impacting inflammation and clinical outcomes.

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2020·Nutrients·Ella Schaefer, Hans Demmelmair, Jeannie Horak, et al

Multiple Micronutrients, Lutein, and Docosahexaenoic Acid Supplementation during Lactation: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

RCTn = 70Nutrition

RCT in 70 healthy lactating women in Germany evaluating supplementation with multiple micronutrients, lutein, and DHA compared to placebo. Supplementation increased maternal milk DHA by 30% and improved maternal blood levels of DHA, eicosapentaenoic acid, 25-OH-vitamin D, vitamin B12, lutein, and beta carotene, while decreasing homocysteine.

PubMedRead on PubMed
2020·Nutrients·Maddalena Massari, Chiara Novielli, Chiara Mandò, et al

Multiple Micronutrients and Docosahexaenoic Acid Supplementation during Pregnancy: A Randomized Controlled Study.

RCTWomens Health Nutrition

This multicenter, parallel, randomized controlled trial evaluated the effects of once-daily supplementation with multiple micronutrients and DHA on maternal biomarkers and infant anthropometric parameters during pregnancy. Supplementation significantly increased maternal RBC DHA levels, the omega-3 index, and vitamin D levels, and resulted in greater subscapular skinfold thickness in infants.

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2017·Journal of human nutrition and dietetics : the official journal of the British Dietetic Association·J C Craddock, E P Neale, Y C Probst, et al

Algal supplementation of vegetarian eating patterns improves plasma and serum docosahexaenoic acid concentrations and omega-3 indices: a systematic literature review.

Systematic reviewNutrition

Systematic review examining the effect of algal DHA supplementation on DHA concentrations and omega-3 indices in vegetarian populations. The review found that algal DHA significantly improves DHA concentrations and omega-3 indices in these populations.

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2015·PloS one·Usha Ramakrishnan, Amanda Stinger, Ann M DiGirolamo, et al

Prenatal Docosahexaenoic Acid Supplementation and Offspring Development at 18 Months: Randomized Controlled Trial.

RCTn = 730

RCT in Cuernavaca, Mexico, evaluating prenatal DHA supplementation effects on offspring development at 18 months. No significant effects on psychomotor or mental development indices were found, though potential benefits were suggested for infants from poor quality home environments.

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2015·PloS one·Karin Yurko-Mauro, Dominik D Alexander, Mary E Van Elswyk

Docosahexaenoic acid and adult memory: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Meta-analysisBrain Health

This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the effect of DHA, alone or combined with EPA, on memory domains in healthy adults. Results showed significant improvements in episodic memory with DHA/EPA supplementation, particularly in adults with mild memory complaints. Observational studies also support a beneficial association between DHA/EPA intake and memory function in older adults.

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2011·Pediatrics·Beth Imhoff-Kunsch, Aryeh D Stein, Reynaldo Martorell, et al

Prenatal docosahexaenoic acid supplementation and infant morbidity: randomized controlled trial.

RCTn = 849Immunity

RCT in Mexico where pregnant women received 400 mg of DHA or placebo from 18 to 22 weeks' gestation through parturition. DHA supplementation decreased the occurrence of colds in children at 1 month and influenced illness symptom duration at 1, 3, and 6 months.

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2010·The American journal of clinical nutrition·Eileen E Birch, Susan E Carlson, Dennis R Hoffman, et al

The DIAMOND (DHA Intake And Measurement Of Neural Development) Study: a double-masked, randomized controlled clinical trial of the maturation of infant visual acuity as a function of the dietary level of docosahexaenoic acid.

RCTn = 343Brain Health

This double-masked, randomized controlled trial studied the effect of DHA supplementation on visual acuity in formula-fed infants. Infants fed DHA-supplemented formulas showed improved visual acuity at 12 months compared to those fed control formula. No additional benefits were observed with higher DHA amounts.

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2004·The American journal of clinical nutrition·Erik J Giltay, Louis J G Gooren, Arno W F T Toorians, et al

Docosahexaenoic acid concentrations are higher in women than in men because of estrogenic effects.

RCTn = 292

The study compared DHA status between 72 male and 103 female volunteers on controlled diets and examined the effects of sex hormones in 56 male-to-female and 61 female-to-male transsexual subjects. Results showed higher DHA concentrations in women, influenced by estrogen, with oral ethinyl estradiol increasing DHA and testosterone decreasing it.

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2001·Lipids·R Uauy, D R Hoffman, P Peirano, et al

Essential fatty acids in visual and brain development.

Meta-analysisBrain Health

Meta-analysis of the role of essential fatty acids, particularly DHA, in visual and brain development. DHA enhances visual acuity maturation and cognitive functions, with supplementation improving visual function in formula-fed infants to match breast-fed infants.

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2025·The Journal of nutritional biochemistry·Jaqueline Munhoz, Gilbert Bigras, Marnie Newell, et al

The effects of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on plasma cytokines, oxylipins, and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes from women with breast cancer undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy in the DHA-WIN trial.

RCTn = 49Immunity

The DHA-WIN trial evaluated the impact of DHA supplementation during neoadjuvant chemotherapy on immune modulation in women with breast cancer. DHA supplementation resulted in greater increases in plasma cytokines IFN-γ and TNF-α and higher production of oxylipins compared to placebo, suggesting enhanced immune responses.

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2025·International journal of cancer·Jaqueline Munhoz, Marnie Newell, Gilbert Bigras, et al

Safety and efficacy of docosahexaenoic acid supplementation during neoadjuvant breast cancer therapy: Findings from the phase II, double-blind, randomized controlled DHA-WIN trial.

RCTn = 49

This phase II, double-blind, randomized controlled trial investigated the safety and efficacy of DHA supplementation in breast cancer patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The study found no significant effects of DHA on Ki-67 expression, although there was a trend of greater reduction in the HER2+++ subtype. DHA levels in erythrocytes and plasma phospholipids increased in the DHA group, with no adverse effects reported.

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2024·Ultrasound in obstetrics & gynecology : the official journal of the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology·P Zielinsky, D R Alves, J D Á Foresti, et al

Maternal supplementation with docosahexaenoic acid does not cause constriction of fetal ductus arteriosus: randomized controlled trial.

RCTn = 48

This randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of maternal DHA supplementation on maternal prostaglandin levels and fetal ductus arteriosus flow dynamics in the third trimester. The study found no significant differences in maternal serum PGE2 levels or Doppler echocardiographic parameters of ductal flow between the DHA and placebo groups, and no cases of ductus arteriosus constriction were observed.

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2023·Nutrients·Cristina Peris-Martínez, José Vicente Piá-Ludeña, María José Rog-Revert, et al

Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Oral Supplementation with a Highly-Concentrated Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) Triglyceride in Patients with Keratoconus: A Randomized Controlled Preliminary Study.

RCTn = 34Inflammation

A randomized controlled preliminary study in patients with keratoconus stages I-III evaluated the effects of a 1000 mg/day DHA supplement for 3 months. Significant improvements were observed in corneal topography variables and plasma biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation in the DHA group compared to controls, suggesting antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.

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2022·Early human development·Kelly M Boone, Mark A Klebanoff, Lynette K Rogers, et al

Effects of Omega-3-6-9 fatty acid supplementation on behavior and sleep in preterm toddlers with autism symptomatology: Secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial.

RCTn = 31Mood Mental Clarity

A 90-day randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial studied the effects of omega 3-6-9 supplementation on behavior and sleep in preterm toddlers with autism symptomatology. The omega 3-6-9 group showed medium magnitude benefits on anxious and depressed behaviors and internalizing behaviors, and a large magnitude benefit on interpersonal relationship adaptive behaviors compared to placebo. No effects were observed on other aspects of behavior or sleep.

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2021·Journal of dietary supplements·Alessandro Scotto di Palumbo, Fionn T McSwiney, Michelle Hone, et al

Effects of a Long Chain n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid-rich Multi-ingredient Nutrition Supplement on Body Composition and Physical Function in Older Adults with Low Skeletal Muscle Mass.

RCTn = 37Physical Performance Physique

RCT of a multi-ingredient nutrition supplement containing LC n-3 PUFA, whey protein isolate, vitamin D3, and resveratrol in older adults with low skeletal muscle mass. The supplement improved physical function but did not change lean body mass, while fat mass increased.

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2020·EBioMedicine·Isabella C Arellanes, Nicholas Choe, Victoria Solomon, et al

Brain delivery of supplemental docosahexaenoic acid (DHA): A randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial.

RCTn = 33

RCT of 33 individuals comparing 2,152 mg of DHA per day to placebo over 6 months. The DHA treatment arm showed a 28% increase in CSF DHA and a 43% increase in CSF EPA compared to placebo. No differences in brain volumes or cognitive scores were observed between groups.

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2020·Nutrients·Domingo J Ramos-Campo, Vicente Ávila-Gandía, Fco Javier López-Román, et al

Supplementation of Re-Esterified Docosahexaenoic and Eicosapentaenoic Acids Reduce Inflammatory and Muscle Damage Markers after Exercise in Endurance Athletes: A Randomized, Controlled Crossover Trial.

RCTn = 15Inflammation Recovery Physical Performance -

This randomized, controlled crossover trial studied the effect of 10 weeks of DHA + EPA supplementation on inflammatory and muscle damage markers in 15 endurance athletes. The study found significantly lower values of IL1β, IL6, CPK, and LDH-5, and reduced muscle soreness after DHA + EPA consumption, but no significant differences in strength deficit variables.

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2019·JAMA network open·Elizabeth H Kerling, Jamie M Hilton, Jocelynn M Thodosoff, et al

Effect of Prenatal Docosahexaenoic Acid Supplementation on Blood Pressure in Children With Overweight Condition or Obesity: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial.

RCTn = 171Heart Health

This secondary analysis of the Kansas University DHA Outcome Study (KUDOS) examined the effect of prenatal DHA supplementation on childhood blood pressure. The study found that children who were overweight or obese and whose mothers received DHA during pregnancy had lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure compared to those whose mothers received a placebo.

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2019·JPEN. Journal of parenteral and enteral nutrition·Mariela Bernabe-García, Raúl Villegas-Silva, Astrid Villavicencio-Torres, et al

Enteral Docosahexaenoic Acid and Retinopathy of Prematurity: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

RCTn = 110

This randomized clinical trial tested the effect of enteral DHA on retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in preterm infants. While there was no difference in overall ROP risk, DHA reduced the risk of severe stage 3 ROP. Hospital stay was similar between the DHA and control groups.

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2018·Developmental medicine and child neurology·Morag J Andrew, Jeremy R Parr, Christine Montague-Johnson, et al

Neurodevelopmental outcome of nutritional intervention in newborn infants at risk of neurodevelopmental impairment: the Dolphin neonatal double-blind randomized controlled trial.

RCTn = 59Brain Health -

RCT investigating the effect of docosahexaenoic acid, choline, and uridine-5-monophosphate supplementation on neurodevelopment in neonates at risk of impairment. The treatment group showed non-significant improvements in cognitive and language scores compared to controls, suggesting feasibility but no statistically significant advantage.

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2018·Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif.)·Samia S Al-Ghannami, Samir Al-Adawi, Kebreab Ghebremeskel, et al

Randomized open-label trial of docosahexaenoic acid-enriched fish oil and fish meal on cognitive and behavioral functioning in Omani children.

RCTBrain Health Mental Clarity

This randomized open-label trial examined the effect of DHA-enriched fish oil supplement and grilled fish meal on cognitive and behavioral functioning in Omani children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. DHA levels increased significantly in both groups, with marked improvements in the Trail Making Test and Vanderbilt Assessment Scales, indicating cognitive and behavioral benefits.

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2017·Nutrients·Angela M Devlin, Cecil M Y Chau, Roger Dyer, et al

Developmental Outcomes at 24 Months of Age in Toddlers Supplemented with Arachidonic Acid and Docosahexaenoic Acid: Results of a Double Blind Randomized, Controlled Trial.

RCTn = 133Brain Health

A double-blind RCT in toddlers aged 13.4 months, randomized to receive DHA and ARA supplements or corn oil control until age 24 months, assessed neurodevelopmental outcomes. No overall effect on cognitive and language development was found, but a positive relationship between RBC PE ARA and cognitive and language composites was observed in supplemented boys and girls.

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2017·Fish physiology and biochemistry·Ai Jin, Cai-Xia Lei, Jing-Jing Tian, et al

Dietary docosahexaenoic acid decreased lipid accumulation via inducing adipocytes apoptosis of grass carp, Ctenopharygodon idella.

RCT

The study explored the mechanism by which docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) inhibits lipid accumulation in grass carp. DHA supplementation resulted in a lower intraperitoneal fat index by reducing adipocyte numbers and increasing apoptosis-related protein expression, suggesting DHA suppresses lipid accumulation by inducing adipocyte apoptosis.

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2016·Lifestyle Genomics·Anahita Mansoori, G. Sotoudeh, M. Djalali, et al

Docosahexaenoic Acid-Rich Fish Oil Supplementation Improves Body Composition without Influence of the PPARγ Pro12Ala Polymorphism in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

RCTPhysique

RCT investigating the impact of DHA-rich fish oil supplementation on body composition in patients with type 2 diabetes. The supplementation decreased waist circumference, body fat mass, body fat percent, and visceral fat rating, but did not affect glycemic control or show a gene-diet interaction with PPARγ Pro12Ala polymorphism.

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2015·BMC pediatrics·Morag J Andrew, Jeremy R Parr, Chris Montague-Johnson, et al

Optimising nutrition to improve growth and reduce neurodisabilities in neonates at risk of neurological impairment, and children with suspected or confirmed cerebral palsy.

RCTn = 120Brain Health

This double-blind, randomised placebo-controlled study investigates whether a neurotrophic dietary supplement containing docosahexaenoic acid, uridine, and choline improves growth and neurodevelopmental outcomes in neonates at risk of neurological impairment and infants with cerebral palsy. The primary outcome is the composite cognitive score on the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development III at 24 months.

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2014·Diabetic medicine : a journal of the British Diabetic Association·Y Min, O Djahanbakhch, J Hutchinson, et al

Effect of docosahexaenoic acid-enriched fish oil supplementation in pregnant women with Type 2 diabetes on membrane fatty acids and fetal body composition--double-blinded randomized placebo-controlled trial.

RCTn = 117Womens Health Nutrition

Double-blinded RCT testing docosahexaenoic acid-enriched fish oil supplementation in pregnant women with Type 2 diabetes. The supplementation increased DHA levels in red cell phosphatidylethanolamine in both mothers and neonates but had no effect on fetal body composition.

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2008·The British journal of dermatology·C Koch, S Dölle, M Metzger, et al

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation in atopic eczema: a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial.

RCTn = 53Skin Hair Health

RCT of 53 patients with atopic eczema comparing DHA supplementation to a control of saturated fatty acids for 8 weeks. DHA resulted in significant clinical improvement in atopic eczema as measured by the SCORAD index and reduced IgE synthesis.

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2007·Journal of renal nutrition : the official journal of the Council on Renal Nutrition of the National Kidney Foundation·Jonathan Himmelfarb, Stephen Phinney, T Alp Ikizler, et al

Gamma-tocopherol and docosahexaenoic acid decrease inflammation in dialysis patients.

RCTn = 63Inflammation

RCT examining the effects of gamma tocopherol and DHA on inflammation and oxidative stress markers in 63 hemodialysis patients. The treatment group showed significant decreases in IL-6, WBC count, and neutrophil fraction, indicating reduced inflammation.

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2007·Journal of animal science·M M Or-Rashid, J K G Kramer, M A Wood, et al

Supplemental algal meal alters the ruminal trans-18:1 fatty acid and conjugated linoleic acid composition in cattle.

RCT

The study evaluated the effects of dietary algal supplementation, a source of docosahexaenoic acid, on the fatty acid profile of rumen lipids in cattle. Algal meal supplementation decreased stearic acid and increased total trans-18:1 fatty acids, particularly 18:1 trans-10, suggesting changes in rumen microbial populations. The content of docosahexaenoic acid in rumen fluid increased with higher levels of algal meal supplementation.

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2006·Archives of neurology·Ernst J Schaefer, Vanina Bongard, Alexa S Beiser, et al

Plasma phosphatidylcholine docosahexaenoic acid content and risk of dementia and Alzheimer disease: the Framingham Heart Study.

Cohort studyn = 899Brain Health

A prospective follow-up study in 899 men and women assessed the association between plasma phosphatidylcholine DHA content and the risk of developing dementia. Subjects in the upper quartile of baseline plasma PC DHA levels had a 47% reduced risk of developing all-cause dementia compared to those in the lower quartiles.

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2006·Theriogenology·S Cerolini, L Zaniboni, A Maldjian, et al

Effect of docosahexaenoic acid and alpha-tocopherol enrichment in chicken sperm on semen quality, sperm lipid composition and susceptibility to peroxidation.

RCT

The study investigated the effect of fish oil and Vitamin E rich diets on semen production, sperm functions, and composition in broiler breeders. It found that dietary n-3 PUFA were successfully transferred into spermatozoan phospholipid, and sperm content of alpha-tocopherol was doubled with increased dietary availability. The enrichment affected cell functions and showed significant interactions between the two treatments.

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2004·Nutrition journal·Joanne Bradbury, Stephen P Myers, Chris Oliver

An adaptogenic role for omega-3 fatty acids in stress; a randomised placebo controlled double blind intervention study (pilot) [ISRCTN22569553].

RCTStress

Pilot RCT investigating the effect of DHA supplementation on perceived stress in university staff. Both fish oil (DHA) and placebo groups showed significant stress reduction from baseline, but no significant difference between them. Significant difference was found between fish oil group and no-treatment controls. The study suggests a potential adaptogenic role for omega-3 fatty acids in stress.

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2018·Nutrients·Claude Billeaud, Carole Boué-Vaysse, Leslie Couëdelo, et al

Effects on Fatty Acid Metabolism of a New Powdered Human Milk Fortifier Containing Medium-Chain Triacylglycerols and Docosahexaenoic Acid in Preterm Infants.

RCTn = 47Nutrition

RCT investigating fatty acid metabolism in 47 preterm infants receiving human milk fortified with a new powdered human milk fortifier containing medium-chain triacylglycerols and docosahexaenoic acid. The study found increased levels of monounsaturated fatty acids and enhanced assimilation of ALA and DHA into plasma and red blood cells.

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2012·International journal of sport nutrition and exercise metabolism·Vinicius Coneglian Santos, Adriana Cristina Levada-Pires, Sâmia Rocha Alves, et al

Effects of DHA-rich fish oil supplementation on lymphocyte function before and after a marathon race.

RCTn = 21Immunity

RCT investigating the effects of DHA-rich fish oil supplementation on lymphocyte function in 21 athletes before and after a marathon. FO supplementation increased lymphocyte proliferation and prevented a decrease in cytokine production, but did not prevent lymphocyte death induced by the marathon.

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2004·American journal of ophthalmology·Dennis R Hoffman, Kirsten G Locke, Dianna H Wheaton, et al

A randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial of docosahexaenoic acid supplementation for X-linked retinitis pigmentosa.

RCTn = 44

A 4-year randomized clinical trial with 44 male patients with X-linked retinitis pigmentosa, comparing DHA supplementation to placebo. RBC-DHA levels increased significantly in the DHA group, with some evidence of benefit in preserving cone and rod ERG function, particularly in younger patients, though overall cone ERG functional loss was not significantly different between groups.

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1996·Pediatric research·S E Carlson, A J Ford, S H Werkman, et al

Visual acuity and fatty acid status of term infants fed human milk and formulas with and without docosahexaenoate and arachidonate from egg yolk lecithin.

RCTn = 58Brain Health

RCT comparing visual acuity and fatty acid status in term infants fed human milk, standard formula, or formula supplemented with DHA and AA from egg yolk lecithin. Breast-fed and supplemented formula infants had higher grating acuity at 2 months than those fed standard formula, but the increase was transient.

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2025·Frontiers in Immunology·Rui Jiang, Yuanyuan Huang, Rongcai Ye, et al

Brown adipocyte exosome - derived C22:6 inhibits the IL-1β signaling pathway to alleviate rheumatoid arthritis

Animal studyInflammation

The study investigated the therapeutic potential of exosomes derived from human classical interscapular brown adipocytes (hcBAC-exos) in alleviating rheumatoid arthritis symptoms in a mouse model. The administration of hcBAC-exos significantly reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines and decreased ankle swelling and serum levels of IL-1β and TNFα. Lipidomic analysis identified docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6) as a key component inhibiting IL-1β expression.

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2023·BMC geriatrics·Jolan Dupont, Eva Wauters, Lenore Dedeyne, et al

Are dietary intake and nutritional status of specific polyunsaturated fatty acids correlated with sarcopenia outcomes in community-dwelling older adults with sarcopenia? - Exploratory results from ENHANce.

Cross-sectionaln = 29Physical Performance

Exploratory cross-sectional analysis from the ENHANce trial examining the relationship between dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) intake, nutritional PUFAs status, and sarcopenia outcomes in older adults. The study found mixed associations between specific PUFAs and sarcopenia-defining parameters, physical activity, and quality of life scores.

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2020·Marine Drugs·Tzu-Lun Huang, Yao-Tseng Wen, Yu-Chieh Ho, et al

Algae Oil Treatment Protects Retinal Ganglion Cells (RGCs) via ERK Signaling Pathway in Experimental Optic Nerve Ischemia

Animal studyBrain Health

The study investigated the therapeutic effects of algae oil (ALG) on retinal ganglion cells in a rat model of anterior ischemic optic neuropathy. ALG treatment improved visual function, increased RGC density, reduced inflammation and apoptosis, and modulated ERK signaling pathways.

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1998·Early human development·E Bondía-Martínez, M C López-Sabater, A I Castellote-Bargalló, et al

Fatty acid composition of plasma and erythrocytes in term infants fed human milk and formulae with and without docosahexaenoic and arachidonic acids from egg yolk lecithin.

RCTn = 49Nutrition

RCT comparing the fatty acid composition of plasma and erythrocytes in term infants fed human milk, standard formula, or formula supplemented with DHA and AA from egg yolk lecithin. Infants fed non-supplemented formula had significantly lower DHA and AA levels at 1 and 3 months compared to those fed breast milk or supplemented formula.

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2020·British Journal of Pharmacology·Cristiana‐Ioana Bercea, G. Cottrell, Francesco Tamagnini, et al

Omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and hypertension: a review of vasodilatory mechanisms of docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid

Review

The review discusses the vasodilatory mechanisms of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, specifically docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), in relation to hypertension. It highlights their effects on endothelial function and vascular smooth muscle cells, involving potassium channels and electrostatic interactions.

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2018·Scientific Reports·C. Iverson, Andrew Bacong, Shan Liu, et al

Omega-3-carboxylic acids provide efficacious anti-inflammatory activity in models of crystal-mediated inflammation

In vitroInflammation

The study evaluates the anti-inflammatory effects of omega-3-carboxylic acids (OM-3 CA) in vitro using human THP-1 macrophages and primary peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and in vivo using rat models of crystal-mediated inflammation. OM-3 CA reduced interleukin-1β production and inflammation markers, showing potential for treating crystal arthritis and other IL-1β-mediated diseases.

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2017·Translational Psychiatry·M. Maekawa, A. Watanabe, Y. Iwayama, et al

Polyunsaturated fatty acid deficiency during neurodevelopment in mice models the prodromal state of schizophrenia through epigenetic changes in nuclear receptor genes

Animal studyBrain Health

Animal study showing that dietary deprivation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (arachidonic acid and docosahexaenoic acid) during neurodevelopment in mice leads to schizophrenia-like phenotypes in adulthood. PUFA deficiency resulted in epigenetic changes in nuclear receptor genes, affecting oligodendrocyte integrity and the GABAergic system.

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2016·European journal of nutrition·Christoph Maas, Axel R Franz, Anna Shunova, et al

Choline and polyunsaturated fatty acids in preterm infants' maternal milk.

Observationaln = 34Nutrition

The study compared choline, DHA, and ARA levels in breast milk from mothers of preterm infants to those of term infants. It found that choline concentrations were lower in preterm infants' breast milk, while ARA and DHA levels were comparable. The study suggests supplementation to improve the nutritional status of preterm infants.

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2015·Nutrients·Wai Wing So, Wai-Nam Liu, K. Leung

Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Trigger Cell Cycle Arrest and Induce Apoptosis in Human Neuroblastoma LA-N-1 Cells

In vitro

In vitro study showing that docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) have anti-proliferative effects on human neuroblastoma LA-N-1 cells. DHA and EPA induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, with minimal cytotoxicity on non-tumorigenic cells, suggesting potential as anti-cancer agents.

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2015·BioMed Research International·Nayeong Kim, Soyeon Jeong, K. Jing, et al

Docosahexaenoic Acid Induces Cell Death in Human Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells by Repressing mTOR via AMPK Activation and PI3K/Akt Inhibition

In vitro

The study investigates the anticancer properties of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. DHA induced apoptosis and autophagy through AMPK activation and PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling inhibition. Findings were supported by experiments in Fat-1 transgenic mice, suggesting DHA's potential as a therapeutic agent for NSCLC.

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2013·The Journal of General Physiology·T. Hoshi, R. Xu, Shangwei Hou, et al

A point mutation in the human Slo1 channel that impairs its sensitivity to omega-3 docosahexaenoic acid

In vitro

The study examines the effect of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on human Slo1 channels, identifying a point mutation (Y318S) that impairs DHA sensitivity. The mutation affects the channel's response to DHA but not to other fatty acids like alpha-linolenic acid or arachidonic acid.

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