The Effect of Omega-3 Fatty Acids Supplementation on the Improvement of Metabolic Syndrome in Patients with Ischemic Heart Disease: A Double-blind, Randomised, Placebo-controlled Trial

Introduction: Metabolic syndrome is a set of metabolic abnormalities that increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Omega-3 fatty acids may play a role in improving metabolic syndrome by affecting endothelial status. Aim: To study the effect of omega-3 fatty acids on metabolic syndrome in patients with cardiac ischemia. Materials and Methods: This was a 12-weeks, doubleblind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial. Ninety patients with a history of cardiac ischemia and metabolic syndrome were randomly divided into intervention (n=45) and placebo (n=45) groups. In the end, 86 people completed the study. The intervention group consumed daily Omega-3 capsules containing 1000 mg fish oil, 180 mg EPA and 120 mg DHA. The placebo group took gelatin-containing capsules. Serum triglycerides, Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS), cholesterol, LowDensity Lipoprotein (LDL), High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) were measured at baseline and the end of the study and weight, waist circumference, Body Mass Index (BMI) were measured at baseline, middle and end of the study. Independent t-test was used for comparing the baseline and mean changes. The variables that measured in three times were compared using repeated measurement test between two groups. Paired t-test was performed to compare within group differences. Results: Serum triglyceride, FBS, weight and systolic blood pressure decreased and serum HDL increased compared to the placebo group. There were no significant changes in serum cholesterol, LDL, BMI, waist circumference and diastolic blood pressure after omega-3 administration. Conclusion: Omega-3 supplementation for 12 weeks improves some of the indicators of metabolic syndrome in individuals with ischemic heart disease. (IRCT Code: IRCT20190819044563N1).