Diet supplemented with fish oil reduces severity of metabolic syndrome
The study evaluated the effects of a CRD supplemented with protein and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids from fish oil on metabolic syndrome
Metabolic syndrome may be controlled by a calorie-restriction diet (CRD) supplemented with fish oil, according to a study published online in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
These results offer hope of a new means to battle this disease, which is essentially a condition that combines symptoms of cardiovascular disease and insulin resistance.
The study conducted in Taipei, Taiwan, on women over 40 with metabolic syndrome evaluated the effects of a CRD supplemented with protein and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids from fish oil on their condition.
In total, 143 participants were recruited between 2012 and 2013 and assigned to four different dietary interventions: CRD of 1500kcal per day; CRD using a meal replacement plan; CRD supplemented with fish oil; and CRD meal replacement plan supplemented with fish oil.
The anthropometric, biochemical, clinical and dietary status of each participant was assessed at baseline, 6 weeks and 12 weeks. The women also received instruction on healthy eating, making positive lifestyle changes, getting exercise and keeping food diaries.
Data on the 136 participants remaining at the end of the 12-week study revealed reductions in body weight body mass index, and waist circumference in all groups with the greatest reduction in the CRD plus fish oil group. Overall, the CRD plus fish oil group showed vast improvement in anthropometric measures, metabolic profiles, inflammatory response and severity of metabolic syndrome.
Although further studies are needed to fully understand the mechanism behind improvement in inflammatory markers and reduced severity of metabolic syndrome, chalk up this study as further evidence for the benefits of fish oil.
