Omega-3 supplementation effects on polycystic ovary syndrome symptoms and metabolic syndrome

Abstract

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common female endocrine disorder with unknown etiology andwith different complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of omega?3 supplementation on PCOS symptomsand metabolic syndrome. Materials and Methods: This double?blind clinical trial was performed in 2015 in Alzahra and ShahidBeheshti Hospitals, Isfahan, Iran, on 88 patients with PCOS. Intervention group took omega?3 supplements with dose of 2 g/dayfor 6 months (two capsules), but control group received two olive oil capsules. Finally, ultrasound and laboratory findings and therecovery rate of menstrual disorders in both groups were compared. Results: After 6 months’ intervention, waist circumference (WC)was significantly lower in omega?3 as compared to control (81.18 ± 2.87 vs. 84.22 ± 2.61 cm, respectively, P < 0.0001). High?densitylipoprotein was increased (47.2 ± 1.37 vs. 41.56 ± 1.34 mg/dl, respectively, P < 0.0001) while low?density lipoprotein (107.79 ± 1.68 vs.117.4 ± 1.57 mg/dl, respectively), triglyceride (116.02 ± 3.13 vs. 125.06 ± 2.91 mg/dl, respectively), and cholesterol (180.34 ± 6.34 vs.189.56 ± 5.93 mg/dl, respectively) in omega?3 were significantly lower than control (P < 0.0001). The interval between periods inomega?3 was significantly shorter than control (29.83 ± 4.68 vs. 47.11 ± 8.72 days, respectively, P < 0.001). Conclusion: Omega?3improves lipid profiles decrease, WC, and interval between periods while weight, hip circumference, fasting blood sugar, number ofovarian follicle, size of ovary, bleeding volume, menstrual bleeding, and hirsutism score did not change by administration of omega?3.

Key words: Metabolic syndrome, omega?3, polycystic ovary syndrome