Abstract
Background It is uncertain if omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are associated with increase in resting metabolic rate (RMR) in adults. Objective The aim of the present study was to evaluate the overall effects of omega-3 on RMR. Methods Both PubMed and Scopus libraries were searched up to April 2021. Study quality was assessed using the Jadad scale. Random- and fixed-effects models were utilized in order to obtain pooled estimates of omega-3 supplementation impacts on RMR, using weight mean difference (WMD). Results Seven studies including a total of 245 participants were included. There was significantly higher FFM-adjusted RMR in the intervention group than the control group (WMD: 26.666 kcal/kg/day, 95% CI: 9.010 to 44.322, p=0.003). Study quality showed that four of seven included studies were of high quality. However, there was no significant difference in results in the subgroup analysis according to the quality of studies. Subgroup analyses revealed significant changes for sex (for women: WMD = 151.793 kcal/day, 95% CI = 62.249 to 241.337, p=0.001) and BMI (for BMI > 25: WMD = 82.208 kcal/day, 95% CI = 0.937 to 163.480, p=0.047). Influence analysis indicated no outlier among inclusions. Conclusion The current study depicted that omega-3 polyunsaturated acids can significantly increase RMR in adults. However, further assessments of omega-3 supplementation therapy are critical to monitor its long-term outcomes and potential clinical application.
Highlights
It is uncertain if omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are associated with increase in resting metabolic rate (RMR) in adults
Random- and fixed-effects models were utilized in order to obtain pooled estimates of omega-3 supplementation impacts on RMR, using weight mean difference (WMD)
Seven studies including a total of 245 participants were included. ere was significantly higher FFMadjusted RMR in the intervention group than the control group (WMD: 26.666 kcal/kg/day, 95% CI: 9.010 to 44.322, p 0.003)
Summary
Several studies have suggested increasing the intake of Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) that exerts beneficial effects by reducing body weight and fat mass through stimulating energy expenditure [4], which may help elevating the resting metabolic rate (RMR) of individuals. Eligible publications were included based on the following criteria: (1) investigating population was adults (over 18 years of age); (2) all studies assessed the effects of omega-3 supplementation on RMR or resting energy expenditure (REE); (3) the control group received non-n-3 PUFA (such as olive oil and oleic acid); (4) studies with a design of randomized, controlled clinical trial; (5) human studies; and (6) manuscripts published in English language. Some studies provided a standard error of mean which was used to compute standard deviation according to the formula SD SEM × square root of N. en, we calculated SD of the mean difference as follows: SD change square root [(SDbaseline2 + SDfinal2) −
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