Omega-3 Fatty Acids

    Written by:
    Daryl Nault

    Fact-checked

    by:

    Nick Milazzo
    Last Updated: September 26, 2023

    Omega-3 fatty acids are essential polyunsaturated fatty acids. That means humans must consume them through their diet from sources like fish, seafood, walnuts, and flaxseeds. Omega-3s have anti-inflammatory properties and are crucial for brain development and cardiovascular health.

    This page overlaps with our Fish Oil page, and the two will be merged in the coming months.

    Update History

    Examine Database References

    1. Lung Function - Watson H, Stackhouse COmega-3 fatty acid supplementation for cystic fibrosis.Cochrane Database Syst Rev.(2020-Apr-10)
    2. Interleukin 6 - Ibrahim Mohialdeen Gubari MEffect of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on markers of inflammation and endothelial function in patients with chronic heart disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Cell Mol Biol (Noisy-le-grand).(2024 Jun 30)
    3. Anxiety Symptoms - Bafkar N, Zeraattalab-Motlagh S, Jayedi A, Shab-Bidar SEfficacy and safety of omega-3 fatty acids supplementation for anxiety symptoms: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.BMC Psychiatry.(2024 Jun 18)
    4. Itching - Alqahtani S, Bakhamees BH, Almalki FM, Alshaer AB, Altaymani AF, Alazmi MM, Almutlaq KA, Albalawi AM, Alfaqih AA, Abdullah R, Alnashri AH, Ebrahim AM, Alghofaili JEfficacy and Safety of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Ameliorating Pruritus in Adult Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.Cureus.(2024 Aug)
    5. Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) - Muzammil K, Khaleel AQ, Merza MS, Kyada A, Ariffin IA, Verma S, Kaur H, Hasaanzadeh SThe effects of ω-3 fatty acids on inflammatory and oxidative stress markers in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled trials.Prostaglandins Other Lipid Mediat.(2024 Sep 5)
    6. Cardiovascular Disease Mortality - Dwiputra B, Ambari AM, Desandri DR, Purwowiyoto BS, Radi B, Pandhita BAW, Fatrin S, Santoso AThe Effect of Omega-3 Supplementation on Heart Failure Outcome: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trial.J Lipid Atheroscler.(2024 May)
    7. Cognition - Kalamara TV, Dodos K, Georgakopoulou VE, Fotakopoulos G, Spandidos DA, Kapoukranidou DCognitive efficacy of omega‑3 fatty acids in Alzheimer's disease: A systematic review and meta‑analysis.Biomed Rep.(2025 Apr)
    8. Depression Symptoms - Christos F Kelaiditis, E Leigh Gibson, Simon C DyallEffects of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on reducing anxiety and/or depression in adults; A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trialsProstaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids.(2023 Apr 2)
    9. Sleep Efficiency - Shimizu K, Kuramochi Y, Hayamizu KEffect of omega-3 fatty acids on sleep: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.J Clin Biochem Nutr.(2024 Nov 1)