Do omega-3 pills work better for some people because of their genes?
Evaluating the Impact of Omega-3 Fatty Acid (SolowaysTM) Supplementation on Lipid Profiles in Adults with PPARG Polymorphisms: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Omega-3s had zero significant effect on hsCRP, HDL-C, or total cholesterol — even in gene carriers.
Most public health messaging claims omega-3s reduce inflammation and improve overall lipid profiles — but this rigorous trial shows no such broad benefits.
Practical Takeaways
If you're taking fish oil for cholesterol and see no change, consider getting tested for PPARG polymorphisms (rs10865710, rs7649970, rs1801282, rs3856806).
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Omega-3s had zero significant effect on hsCRP, HDL-C, or total cholesterol — even in gene carriers.
Most public health messaging claims omega-3s reduce inflammation and improve overall lipid profiles — but this rigorous trial shows no such broad benefits.
Practical Takeaways
If you're taking fish oil for cholesterol and see no change, consider getting tested for PPARG polymorphisms (rs10865710, rs7649970, rs1801282, rs3856806).
Publication
Journal
Nutrients
Year
2023
Authors
E. Pokushalov, A. Ponomarenko, S. Bayramova, C. Garcia, I. Pak, Evgenia V Shrainer, E. Voronina, E. Sokolova, Michael Johnson, Richard Miller
Related Content
Claims (6)
People with a specific gene variation called PPARG may see much better results from taking omega-3 supplements—like lower bad cholesterol and triglycerides—than people without that gene variation.
For middle-aged and older adults with high 'bad' cholesterol and certain gene versions, taking 2000 mg of omega-3 fish oil every day for three months can lower their bad cholesterol and triglycerides more than a placebo — and their genes might make this effect stronger.
Taking 2000 mg of omega-3s daily for three months doesn’t change your good cholesterol, total cholesterol, or inflammation markers — so if it helps lower bad cholesterol and triglycerides, it’s not because it’s reducing overall inflammation or affecting all types of fats in your blood.
People with a specific gene variation and high 'bad' cholesterol tend to have even higher cholesterol levels than others, and their bodies might respond better to omega-3 supplements to help lower it.
Taking 2000 mg of omega-3 fish oil daily for three months doesn't lower a common marker of body inflammation called hsCRP, no matter what your genes say. So, if omega-3s help your cholesterol, it's probably not because they're calming down inflammation.