| Title: | Association of fish oil supplementation with risk of incident severe non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a prospective study of 488888 individuals |
| Journal: | Food & Function |
| Published: | 23 Feb 2026 |
| Pubmed: | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41614611/ |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.1039/d5fo02448j |
Publication 17656
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Abstract
Prospective evidence linking n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) supplementation to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) risk remains limited. In this cohort study of 488 888 UK Biobank participants, we evaluated associations of fish oil supplementation (a key source of n-3 PUFAs) with severe NAFLD incidence using Cox proportional hazards models. Mediation analysis evaluated the roles of serum metabolic and inflammatory biomarkers. Genetic interaction analyses included polymorphisms linked to n-3 PUFA metabolism. Over 12.3 years of follow-up, 5671 participants developed severe NAFLD. Fish oil supplementation was associated with a 7% lower risk of severe NAFLD (HR 0.93, 95% CI 0.87-0.99; P = 0.022). Mediation analyses revealed that C-reactive protein (CRP) (8.8% mediated), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (7.5%), and cystatin C (10.0%) partially explained this association. No significant interactions were observed between supplementation and genetic variants (all P > 0.05). These findings support the use of n-3 PUFA supplements in the primary prevention of severe NAFLD.</p>
16 Keywords
- Adult
- Aged
- Biomarkers
- C-Reactive Protein
- Dietary Supplements
- Fatty Acids, Omega-3
- Female
- Fish Oils
- Humans
- Incidence
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
- Prospective Studies
- Risk Factors
- United Kingdom
7 Authors
- Youyou Zheng
- Yang Ao
- Xunan Lin
- Xiaohui Liu
- Pan Zhuang
- Yu Zhang
- Jingjing Jiao
1 Application
| Application ID | Title |
|---|---|
| 47365 | Dietary patterns and genetic predisposition to obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. |
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