Insight into the effects of Omega-3 fatty acids on gut microbiota: impact of a balanced tissue Omega-6/Omega-3 ratio
Emerging evidence suggests that Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are essential structural and functional nutrients that significantly influence the composition and function of the gut microbiota, a key mediator of host health. Although evidence suggests that increasing tissue Omega-3 leve...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Nutrition |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1575323/full |
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| author | Bo Zou Dan Zhao Shuang Zhou Jing X. Kang Jing X. Kang Bin Wang Bin Wang |
| author_facet | Bo Zou Dan Zhao Shuang Zhou Jing X. Kang Jing X. Kang Bin Wang Bin Wang |
| author_sort | Bo Zou |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Emerging evidence suggests that Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are essential structural and functional nutrients that significantly influence the composition and function of the gut microbiota, a key mediator of host health. Although evidence suggests that increasing tissue Omega-3 levels through dietary intervention may optimize gut microbiota–host interaction through modulation of composition, metabolite production, and the intestinal mucus barrier, some studies have reported inconsistent findings regarding these protective effects. Studies indicate that a high Omega-6/Omega-3 ratio appears to attenuate the beneficial effects of Omega-3 supplementation on microbial diversity and abundance, while a balanced ratio fosters a more favorable microbiome profile. This review comprehensively highlights the potential effects of differential endogenous Omega-6/Omega-3 ratios on the gut microbiota-modulating capacity of Omega-3 PUFAs, which should be incorporated as a mandatory monitoring indicator in future clinical investigations. These insights provide a new direction for further optimizing the clinical application of Omega-3 PUFAs in chronic disease prevention and treatment. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-af23002107d74fc4a1e4e82f0c553b60 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2296-861X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Nutrition |
| spelling | doaj-art-af23002107d74fc4a1e4e82f0c553b602025-08-20T03:49:36ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Nutrition2296-861X2025-05-011210.3389/fnut.2025.15753231575323Insight into the effects of Omega-3 fatty acids on gut microbiota: impact of a balanced tissue Omega-6/Omega-3 ratioBo Zou0Dan Zhao1Shuang Zhou2Jing X. Kang3Jing X. Kang4Bin Wang5Bin Wang6Department of Clinical Nutrition, Shenzhen Longgang Central Hospital, Shenzhen, ChinaDepartment of Clinical Nutrition, Shenzhen Longgang Central Hospital, Shenzhen, ChinaCollege of Food Science and Engineering, Laboratory of Functional Chemistry and Nutrition of Food, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, ChinaLaboratory for Lipid Medicine and Technology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United StatesOmega-3 and Global Health Institute, Boston, MA, United StatesDepartment of Clinical Nutrition, Shenzhen Longgang Central Hospital, Shenzhen, ChinaLaboratory for Lipid Medicine and Technology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United StatesEmerging evidence suggests that Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are essential structural and functional nutrients that significantly influence the composition and function of the gut microbiota, a key mediator of host health. Although evidence suggests that increasing tissue Omega-3 levels through dietary intervention may optimize gut microbiota–host interaction through modulation of composition, metabolite production, and the intestinal mucus barrier, some studies have reported inconsistent findings regarding these protective effects. Studies indicate that a high Omega-6/Omega-3 ratio appears to attenuate the beneficial effects of Omega-3 supplementation on microbial diversity and abundance, while a balanced ratio fosters a more favorable microbiome profile. This review comprehensively highlights the potential effects of differential endogenous Omega-6/Omega-3 ratios on the gut microbiota-modulating capacity of Omega-3 PUFAs, which should be incorporated as a mandatory monitoring indicator in future clinical investigations. These insights provide a new direction for further optimizing the clinical application of Omega-3 PUFAs in chronic disease prevention and treatment.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1575323/fullOmega-3 fatty acidsOmega-6/Omega-3 ratiogut microbiotachronic low-grade systemic inflammationexperimental standardization |
| spellingShingle | Bo Zou Dan Zhao Shuang Zhou Jing X. Kang Jing X. Kang Bin Wang Bin Wang Insight into the effects of Omega-3 fatty acids on gut microbiota: impact of a balanced tissue Omega-6/Omega-3 ratio Frontiers in Nutrition Omega-3 fatty acids Omega-6/Omega-3 ratio gut microbiota chronic low-grade systemic inflammation experimental standardization |
| title | Insight into the effects of Omega-3 fatty acids on gut microbiota: impact of a balanced tissue Omega-6/Omega-3 ratio |
| title_full | Insight into the effects of Omega-3 fatty acids on gut microbiota: impact of a balanced tissue Omega-6/Omega-3 ratio |
| title_fullStr | Insight into the effects of Omega-3 fatty acids on gut microbiota: impact of a balanced tissue Omega-6/Omega-3 ratio |
| title_full_unstemmed | Insight into the effects of Omega-3 fatty acids on gut microbiota: impact of a balanced tissue Omega-6/Omega-3 ratio |
| title_short | Insight into the effects of Omega-3 fatty acids on gut microbiota: impact of a balanced tissue Omega-6/Omega-3 ratio |
| title_sort | insight into the effects of omega 3 fatty acids on gut microbiota impact of a balanced tissue omega 6 omega 3 ratio |
| topic | Omega-3 fatty acids Omega-6/Omega-3 ratio gut microbiota chronic low-grade systemic inflammation experimental standardization |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1575323/full |
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