Effect of fish-oil supplementation on the glycemic and lipidemic profiles of pregnant women: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

This article systematically reviews the effects of fish-oil-capsule supplementation, containing eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), on the glycemic and lipid profiles of pregnant women. Analyzing 15 randomized controlled trials involving 4,494 pregnant women, the meta-analysis found no overall significant impact of fish-oil supplementation on fasting glucose, insulin, insulin resistance (homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, HOMA-IR), oral-glucose-tolerance test (OGTT), or lipid parameters including total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and triglycerides. However, subgroup analyses indicated that fish-oil supplementation may reduce insulin levels and HOMA-IR in pregnant women with diabetes mellitus and that EPA doses below 200 mg/day were associated with improved insulin resistance. The review highlights the need for further research to clarify optimal dosing and efficacy of fish-oil supplementation as an adjuvant therapy for metabolic control during pregnancy, especially in women with preexisting metabolic disorders.