The Study
Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acid in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Meta-Analysis
This study looked at 10 smaller experiments where people took omega-3 pills and saw what happened to their liver. It found that, on average, their liver fat and some blood numbers got a little better—but not everyone improved the same way. It doesn’t prove the pills fixed the problem, just that they might help a bit.
Analysis score
Maximum 100 for a systematic review with meta-analysis.
Where the score came from
Scientists tested if taking fish oil pills helps people with fatty liver disease by looking at 10 studies where people took fish oil or a placebo.
Where does this study sit?
Reviews of RCTs (Meta-analyses)
Max 100Randomized Trials
Max 90Reviews of Cohort Studies
Max 85Cohort Studies
Max 72Reviews of Case-Control Studies
Max 63Case-Control Studies
Max 58Cross-Sectional & Case Series
Max 50Expert Opinion
Max 547 / 100
Quality score
The highest quality evidence. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses that pool randomized controlled trials, giving the most reliable summary of experimental evidence.
Key takeaways
Summary
Based on the study abstract and findings.
- 1These changes suggest fish oil helps reduce fat and bad fats in the liver and improves good cholesterol, which may help slow liver damage.
- 2Fish oil lowered liver fat, GGT by 9 points, triglycerides by 35 mg/dL, and raised HDL by 5.5 mg/dL.
- 3It did not change ALT, AST, cholesterol, or LDL.
Score breakdown, methodology, conflicts of interest, evidence analysis & raw study data
Publication
Journal
Gastroenterology Research and Practice
Year
2016
Authors
Wenxia Lu, Sainan Li, Jingjing Li, JianRong Wang, Rong Zhang, Yuqing Zhou, Q. Yin, Yuanyuan Zheng, Fan Wang, Yujing Xia, Kan Chen, Tong Liu, Jie Lu, Yingqun Zhou, Chuanyong Guo
Related Content
Claims (8)
Insulin resistance and chronic inflammation interact in a cycle that increases fat buildup in the liver.
Persistent inflammation reduces the liver's ability to respond to insulin, leading to increased blood sugar and fat buildup in the liver.
In adults with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, taking omega-3 fatty acid supplements lowers blood triglyceride levels by an average of 35.55 mg/dL.
In adults with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, taking omega-3 fatty acid supplements results in an average increase of 5.51 mg/dL in HDL cholesterol levels.
Taking omega-3 fatty acid supplements at 2.85 grams per day for one year reduces liver fat in adults diagnosed with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, as confirmed by ultrasound, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, or liver biopsy.
Taking omega-3 fatty acid supplements decreases fat buildup in the liver and reduces levels of the liver enzyme gamma-glutamyl transferase in people diagnosed with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.