Efficacy of Omega-3 supplementation in olfactory dysfunction: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials
Abstract Background Olfactory dysfunction (OD) significantly impacts patients’ quality of life, yet effective treatments are limited. Omega-3 fatty acids have shown promise in improving olfactory function, but further research is needed to evaluate their efficacy. Aims/Objectives This systematic rev...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-07-01
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| Series: | BMC Nutrition |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40795-025-01114-1 |
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| author | Raghad S. Alzahrani Taif F. Alkhatabi Abdulaziz F. Bokhari Wed M. Ismail Abdullah S. Alyamani Ali S. Alsudais Bassam AlRajhi Dakheelallah M. Almutairi |
| author_facet | Raghad S. Alzahrani Taif F. Alkhatabi Abdulaziz F. Bokhari Wed M. Ismail Abdullah S. Alyamani Ali S. Alsudais Bassam AlRajhi Dakheelallah M. Almutairi |
| author_sort | Raghad S. Alzahrani |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Olfactory dysfunction (OD) significantly impacts patients’ quality of life, yet effective treatments are limited. Omega-3 fatty acids have shown promise in improving olfactory function, but further research is needed to evaluate their efficacy. Aims/Objectives This systematic review aimed to assess the effects of omega-3 supplementation on OD. Methods A comprehensive search identified randomized controlled trials investigating omega-3 supplementation in OD patients. Inclusion criteria involved adult patients receiving omega-3 fatty acids and undergoing olfactory function assessments. Results Three studies with 175 participants were included. Two studies reported omega-3’s protective effect against olfactory loss over three months. However, a trial on COVID-19 patients found no significant improvement in olfactory function. Conclusions Omega-3 supplementation, along with olfactory training or nasal rinses, appears to improve olfactory function in OD patients. However, further research is needed to evaluate its standalone efficacy. Omega-3 fatty acids offer a potential therapy for OD, warranting optimization and long-term effects investigation. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-fffd7a7e19624fd8a354cbee875cdea6 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2055-0928 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Nutrition |
| spelling | doaj-art-fffd7a7e19624fd8a354cbee875cdea62025-08-20T04:01:53ZengBMCBMC Nutrition2055-09282025-07-011111810.1186/s40795-025-01114-1Efficacy of Omega-3 supplementation in olfactory dysfunction: a systematic review of randomized controlled trialsRaghad S. Alzahrani0Taif F. Alkhatabi1Abdulaziz F. Bokhari2Wed M. Ismail3Abdullah S. Alyamani4Ali S. Alsudais5Bassam AlRajhi6Dakheelallah M. Almutairi7College of Medicine, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health SciencesCollege of Medicine, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health SciencesCollege of Medicine, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health SciencesCollege of Medicine, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health SciencesCollege of Medicine, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health SciencesCollege of Medicine, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health SciencesCollege of Medicine, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health SciencesCollege of Medicine, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health SciencesAbstract Background Olfactory dysfunction (OD) significantly impacts patients’ quality of life, yet effective treatments are limited. Omega-3 fatty acids have shown promise in improving olfactory function, but further research is needed to evaluate their efficacy. Aims/Objectives This systematic review aimed to assess the effects of omega-3 supplementation on OD. Methods A comprehensive search identified randomized controlled trials investigating omega-3 supplementation in OD patients. Inclusion criteria involved adult patients receiving omega-3 fatty acids and undergoing olfactory function assessments. Results Three studies with 175 participants were included. Two studies reported omega-3’s protective effect against olfactory loss over three months. However, a trial on COVID-19 patients found no significant improvement in olfactory function. Conclusions Omega-3 supplementation, along with olfactory training or nasal rinses, appears to improve olfactory function in OD patients. However, further research is needed to evaluate its standalone efficacy. Omega-3 fatty acids offer a potential therapy for OD, warranting optimization and long-term effects investigation.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40795-025-01114-1Omega-3Olfactory dysfunctionAnosmiaHyposmiaLoss of smell |
| spellingShingle | Raghad S. Alzahrani Taif F. Alkhatabi Abdulaziz F. Bokhari Wed M. Ismail Abdullah S. Alyamani Ali S. Alsudais Bassam AlRajhi Dakheelallah M. Almutairi Efficacy of Omega-3 supplementation in olfactory dysfunction: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials BMC Nutrition Omega-3 Olfactory dysfunction Anosmia Hyposmia Loss of smell |
| title | Efficacy of Omega-3 supplementation in olfactory dysfunction: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials |
| title_full | Efficacy of Omega-3 supplementation in olfactory dysfunction: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials |
| title_fullStr | Efficacy of Omega-3 supplementation in olfactory dysfunction: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials |
| title_full_unstemmed | Efficacy of Omega-3 supplementation in olfactory dysfunction: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials |
| title_short | Efficacy of Omega-3 supplementation in olfactory dysfunction: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials |
| title_sort | efficacy of omega 3 supplementation in olfactory dysfunction a systematic review of randomized controlled trials |
| topic | Omega-3 Olfactory dysfunction Anosmia Hyposmia Loss of smell |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40795-025-01114-1 |
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