---
title: "Evidence: anti-inflammatory long-chain PUFAs"
description: "Omega-3 supplements (LCn3) may slightly reduce coronary heart disease risk and triglycerides, while plant-based omega-3 (ALA) may slightly reduce overall…"
url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s128.md"
canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s128.html"
html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s128.html"
type: "study"
study_key: "s128"
journal: "Cochrane Database Syst Rev"
year: 2020
pmid: "32114706"
doi: "10.1002/14651858.CD003177.pub5"
citations: 1
updated: 2026-09-02
author: "Gabriel Radu, DO"
author_credentials: "Physiatrist (PM&R). NY medical license 275110. NPI 1376861765."
publisher: "Magellan Longevity"
content_format: "markdown"
---

# Evidence: anti-inflammatory long-chain PUFAs

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**HTML version:** https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s128.html · **In the Magellan app:** https://magellanlongevity.com/#/study/s128

## Citation

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Journal | Cochrane Database Syst Rev |
| Year | 2020 |
| PMID | [32114706](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32114706/) |
| DOI | [10.1002/14651858.CD003177.pub5](https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD003177.pub5) |
| Study key | s128 |

## Takeaway

Omega-3 supplements (LCn3) may slightly reduce coronary heart disease risk and triglycerides, while plant-based omega-3 (ALA) may slightly reduce overall cardiovascular events and arrhythmia.

## The question

What are the effects of increased intake of fish- and plant-based omega-3 fats (LCn3 and ALA) on all-cause mortality, cardiovascular events, adiposity, and lipids?

## Hypothesis

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids from oily fish (LCn3) and plants (ALA) may benefit cardiovascular health.

## Methods

This systematic review included 86 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with 162,796 participants, lasting at least 12 months. Trials compared supplementation or advice to increase LCn3 or ALA intake versus usual or lower intake. Data were extracted and validity assessed by two independent reviewers, with separate random-effects meta-analyses for ALA and LCn3 interventions and meta-regression for dose-response relationships.

## Results

Increasing LCn3 had little or no effect on all-cause mortality (RR 0.97), cardiovascular mortality (RR 0.92), cardiovascular events (RR 0.96), stroke (RR 1.02), or arrhythmia (RR 0.99). It may slightly reduce coronary heart disease mortality (RR 0.90, NNTB 334) and coronary heart disease events (RR 0.91, NNTB 167). Increasing ALA intake probably made little or no difference to all-cause mortality (RR 1.01), cardiovascular mortality (RR 0.96), coronary heart disease mortality (RR 0.95), and coronary heart disease events (RR 1.00). Increased ALA may slightly reduce risk of cardiovascular disease events (NNTB 500) and probably slightly reduces risk of arrhythmia (RR 0.73, NNTB 91). Increasing LCn3 reduced triglycerides by approximately 15% in a dose-dependent manner.

## Conclusion

Increasing LCn3 slightly reduces the risk of coronary heart disease mortality and events, and reduces serum triglycerides. Increasing ALA slightly reduces the risk of cardiovascular events and arrhythmia.

## Limitations

The certainty of evidence for some outcomes, such as coronary heart disease mortality and events for LCn3, and cardiovascular disease events and arrhythmia for ALA, was low to moderate. Most LCn3 evidence came from supplement trials, and there was little evidence regarding the effects of eating fish.

## Verbatim from the abstract

> increasing omega-3 slightly reduces risk of coronary heart disease mortality and reduces triglycerides

## Where this study is used on Magellan

This paper is one of the citations behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of affiliate commissions.

| Compound or device | Evidence grade | Graded pages |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Omega-3 EPA/DHA Fish Oil | Moderate evidence | [Omega-3 EPA/DHA Fish Oil](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/128.md) |

## Reference

1. **Evidence: anti-inflammatory long-chain PUFAs**
   Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2020 · [PMID 32114706](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32114706/) · [DOI 10.1002/14651858.CD003177.pub5](https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD003177.pub5)

   > increasing omega-3 slightly reduces risk of coronary heart disease mortality and reduces triglycerides

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## Related on Magellan Longevity

- [Omega-3 EPA/DHA Fish Oil](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/128.md) — product graded on this and related evidence
- [Effect of omega-3 fatty acids on cardiovascular outcomes: a systematic review and…](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d34505026.md)
- [Effect of Omega-3 Dosage on Cardiovascular Outcomes: An Updated Meta-Analysis of…](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d32951855.md)
- [Longevity research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html)
- [Evidence-based longevity supplements](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-supplements.md)

## Scope and disclosures

Educational information, not medical advice. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your physician before starting any supplement or device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication.

Editorial firewall: evidence grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of any affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, Magellan Longevity earns from qualifying purchases.

Reviewed for accuracy by a board-certified physician (DO).