Changes in serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor following supplementation of omega 3 fatty acids: A systematic
Mohammad Hassan Sohouli1, Pejman Rohani2, Mohammad Mahdi Nasehi3
1Student Research Committee, Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Nutrition and Food Technology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology Research Center, Pediatrics Centre of Excellence, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran.
Background & Aims:
This study aimed to comprehensively investigate the effects of omega 3 supplementation on BDNF.
Methods:
Original databases were searched using standard keywords to identify all controlled trials that investigating the BDNF effects of omega 3 supplementation. Pooled weighted mean difference and 95% confidence intervals were achieved by random-effects model analysis for the best estimation of outcomes.
Results:
According to the results of a random-effects meta-analysis, omega 3 supplementation significantly raised BDNF levels compared to the control group (pooled WMD of 1.01 μmol/L; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.35 to 1.67; P = 0.003) and this increase was even more pronounced for interventions >10 weeks and doses ≤1500 mg/day. Additionally, in individuals under 50 years of age, a greater increase in the effects of omega-3 supplements on this brain factor was observed.
Conclusions:
The present comprehensive review and meta-regression analysis generally showed that omega-3 supplementation can statistically significantly increase BDNF levels.
