Non-specific effect of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on autistic spectrum disorder: systematic review and meta-analysis.

METHODS: We searched seven databases and found 13 eligible controlled trials that use omega-3 supplementation in children and adolescents with ASD.Data extraction: We collected details on study design, intervention time, supplement dosage, and the autism assessment scale. Meta-analyses and subgroup analysis were conducted according to the autism symptoms. RESULTS: Omega-3 and omega-6 supplementation improved ASD symptoms according to the Aberrant Behavior Checklist (standard mean difference - SMD = -0.13; CI 95% = -0.34, -0.02). However, using subgroup analysis, we observed no efficacy in terms of improvements in hyperactivity (SMD = -0.03; CI 95%: -0.43, 0.36), irritability (SMD = -0.18; CI 95%: -0.51, 0.15), stereotypy (SMD = -0.03; CI 95%: -0.43, 0.36), inappropriate speech (SMD = -0.68; CI 95%: -1.49, 0.14), lethargy (SMD = -0.22; CI 95%: -0.58, 0.14), and social function (SMD = -0.71; IC 95%: -1.56, 0.14). W-3 and w-6 supplementation also showed no efficacy according to the Social Responsiveness Scale (SMD = 0.08; CI 95%: -0.23, 0.39). The adverse effects were classified as mild and equally distributed between the placebo and intervention groups. CONCLUSIONS: Despite w-3 and w-6 supplementation showing minimal beneficial effects in the treatment of autism, the subgroup analyses indicated that there is a lack of evidence on the beneficial role of w-3 and w-6 in treating ASD.Systematic Review Registration: PROSPERO number CRD42020146116.

Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Concentrations and Association with Weight Gain in Pregnancy.

Lower concentrations of omega-3 (ω-3) and higher concentrations of omega-6 (ω-6) have been associated with excess weight in adults; however, the information on this relationship in pregnancy remains in its infancy. This study aimed to investigate the association between plasma levels of ω-3 and ω-6 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and weight gain during the gestational period. This is a prospective cohort study involving 185 pregnant women registered with the prenatal services of a municipality in the northeast of Brazil. The dosage of the serum concentration of fatty acids and the anthropometric measurements were carried out at the baseline, and the women's weight information in the first, second, and third trimesters was collected from their pregnancy cards. Serum fatty acids were determined with the help of gas chromatography. The response variable of this study is the latent variable weight gain in pregnancy, derived from three variables: gestational weight in the first, second, and third trimesters. The main exposure was the plasma concentrations of PUFAs. Structural equation modeling was used for the data analysis. The mean age of the pregnant women was 26.74 years old (SD: 5.96 years). Most of the women had not completed high school (84%) and had a low income (70.86%). It was observed that the ω-3 PUFAs, represented by ALA plasm (alpha-linolenic acid), DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), and the EPA/ALA ratio (eicosapentaenoic acid to alpha-linolenic acid ratio), were negatively associated with the weight gain during pregnancy construct (-0.20, -0.12, and -0.14, respectively). Meanwhile, the PUFAs represented by the ratio between the ω-6 category acids ARA and LA (arachidonic acid and linoleic acid) had a direct and positive association (0.22) with that construct. Excess maternal weight gain was associated with ω-3 and ω-6 plasma levels. The women with the greatest gestational weight gain were the ones that presented the highest ARA/LA ratio (ω-6) and the lowest plasma concentrations of ALA, DHA, and EPA/ALA ratio (ω-3).

Obesity and overweight decreases the effect of vitamin D supplementation in adults: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Overweight and obesity are associated with vitamin D deficiency (VitD), which are both important health problems. Reduced serum vitamin D levels has been registered in all phases of life and is commonly associated with the genesis of overweight and obesity. Thus, the objective of this review with meta-analysis was to investigate and evidence the efficacy of vitamin D supplementation in vitamin D. Interventional studies were searched for in 5 databases, without restriction of publication date or language. The absolute mean difference was used as a summary measure of the selected studies. A total of 2370 studies were identified, of which 18 descriptive articles were eligible - based on criteria and variables of selection and exclusion. Then the data were synthesized and submitted to meta-analysis. The results evidence that after supplementation individuals with obesity presented increased serum vitamin D 39.83 nmol/L (95% CI: 34.06-45.61) in relation to the control/placebo group. However, the obese state decreased serum vitamin D concentration by -38.17 nmol/L (95% CI: -59.90/-16.44) compared to the normal weight group. In addition, increasing the dose of VitD supplementation does not appear to contribute significantly to increased serum VitD levels. The study observed that obesity in adults reduced the effect of vitamin D supplementation. Therefore, research should be developed on the optimal dose of vitamin D supplementation for people with obesity.Systematic Review Registration: PROSPERO number CRD42018091.