| Abstract
Context: One of the most common complications of pregnancy is gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), which is increasing worldwide.
Experimental and epidemiological studies have shown that higher intake of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids may
decrease the risk of various diseases such as diabetes. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of fish oil supplementation
on the prevention and treatment of GDM.
Evidence Acquisition: This systematic review was performed by searching several databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Google
Scholar, the Cochrane Library, ProQuest, Science Direct SID, Magiran and IranMedex since 1983. The researchers also searched for
references in reviewed clinical trial articles in which fish oil supplementation was compared with placebo or no supplementation.
Results: Only two published and in-press articles are included in this review. Based on these studies, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-
enriched fish oil (800 mg/d) had no effect on prevention of GDM [0.97 (95% CI: 0.74, 1.27)]. Furthermore, omega-3 fatty acid supplementation
containing 180mgof eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and 120mgDHA had beneficial effects on insulin resistance in women
with GDM (change from baseline: 1.57.5 vs 3.58.5 mIU/mL, P = 0.02) but did not influence fasting plasma glucose, homeostatic
model assessment-Beta cell function (HOMA-B), the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI), or lipid profiles (P > 0.05).
Conclusions: There is not enough evidence to support or refute the routine use of fish oil supplements during pregnancy for the
prevention or treatment of diabetes. It is suggested that further randomized controlled trials be conducted to evaluate the role of
fish oil supplementation in pregnancy. |