The effect of omega 3 supplementation on serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction: The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is crucial for metabolic and mental health. Numerous intervention experiments with the goal of increasing BDNF levels have been conducted as a result of the fact that higher concentrations are linked to better cognitive function. In order to obtain a better viewpoint from them, this study was conducted as the first study in this field, with the aim of comprehensively investigating the effects of omega-3 supplementation on BDNF.Methods: Scopus, PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, and Embase databases or platform were searched using standard keywords to identify all controlled trials investigating the BDNF effects of omega 3 supplementation. Pooled weighted mean difference and 95% confidence intervals were achieved by random-effects model analysis for the best estimation of outcomes. We used the Egger's test to determine whether there was publication bias. Results: Eleven studies with 698 participants were included in this study. Results of random-effects meta-analysis indicated that BDNF levels were significantly increased after supplementation with omega 3 compared with the control group (pooled weight mean difference (WMD) of 1.01 & mu;mol/L; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.35 to 1.67; P = 0.003; I2 = 97.7%), and this increase was even greater with intervention duration >10 weeks and doses & LE;1500 mg/day. In addition, the effect of omega-3 supplementation on increasing glucose levels was greater in people under 50 years of age and patients with psychological diseases.Conclusions: In general, the present systematic review and meta-regression analysis demonstrated that omega 3 supplementation may be able to significantly improve BDNF.