Bali Medical and Wellness Journal
Vol. 2 No. 2 (2025): Bali Medical and Wellness Journal

The Role of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Mitigating Metabolic Risk Factors Associated with Alzheimer's Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Agustinus I Wayan Harimawan (Department of Clinical Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Udayana, Denpasar, Indonesia)
Cuay Yusnianingsih (Department of Clinical Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Udayana, Denpasar, Indonesia)
Anak Agung Sagung Mirah Prabandari (Department of Clinical Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Udayana, Denpasar, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
26 Sep 2025

Abstract

Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is linked to metabolic conditions like obesity and hypertension, which share inflammation and oxidative stress as common factors. Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) may have neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory benefits. Objective: This study aims to review the effectiveness of omega-3 supplements in reducing metabolic risk factors and slowing cognitive decline in people with AD. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published until July 2025. Eligible studies included older adults (≥65 years) with AD or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and assessed the impact of omega-3 supplements on cognitive and/or metabolic outcomes. The risk of bias was evaluated using the Cochrane ROB-2 tool. Data were analyzed with Review Manager 5.4 using fixed-effects models for continuous outcomes. Results: Five RCTs with a total of 490 participants were included. Meta-analysis of four trials (326 participants) revealed that omega-3 supplementation significantly improved Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores compared to placebo (mean difference: 0.21; 95% CI: 0.02–0.41; P = 0.03; I² = 0%). No significant effects were found for ADAS-Cog scores (mean difference: 0.11; 95% CI: –0.40 to 0.62; P = 0.68; I² = 46%) or IADL scores (mean difference: 0.48; 95% CI: –0.17 to 1.13; P = 0.15; I² = 36%). Conclusion: Omega-3 fatty acids may offer modest cognitive benefits in AD, though heterogeneity among studies limits general conclusions. Future well-designed RCTs should consider metabolic profiles and standardized dosing to identify populations most likely to benefit from omega-3 supplementation.

Copyrights © 2025






Journal Info

Abbrev

bmwj

Publisher

Subject

Dentistry Health Professions Medicine & Pharmacology Nursing Public Health

Description

The Bali Medical and Wellness Journal is an internationally open-access, peer-reviewed journal that aims to disseminate high-quality research and knowledge related to medical sciences and wellness practices fostering a holistic approach to health, integrating physical, mental, and social well-being. ...