The effects of vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acid co-supplementation on glycemic control and lipid concentrations in patients with gestational diabetes.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the effects of omega-3 fatty acids (including DHA) and vitamin D co-supplementation on glucose metabolism and lipid levels in gestational diabetes patients.
Results Summary
Co-supplementation of vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids (containing DHA) significantly improved fasting plasma glucose, insulin sensitivity, and lipid profiles compared to placebo or single supplementation. The combined intervention showed the most pronounced benefits.
Population
140 gestational diabetes (GDM) patients
Effective Dosage
1000 mg omega-3 fatty acids (containing 240 mg DHA) twice daily
Duration
6 weeks
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids co-supplementation | decrease | fasting plasma glucose | GDM patients | -7.3 ± 7.8 mg/dL | significantly decreased | #1 |
vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids co-supplementation | decrease | serum insulin levels | GDM patients | -1.9 ± 1.9 μIU/mL | significantly decreased | #2 |
vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids co-supplementation | decrease | homeostatic model of assessment for insulin resistance | GDM patients | -0.7 ± 0.6 | significantly decreased | #3 |
vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids co-supplementation | increase | quantitative insulin sensitivity check index | GDM patients | +0.01 ± 0.01 | increased | #4 |
vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids co-supplementation | decrease | serum triglycerides | GDM patients | -8.2 ± 41.0 mg/dL | significantly different changes | #5 |
vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids co-supplementation | decrease | very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol | GDM patients | -1.6 ± 8.2 mg/dL | significantly different changes | #6 |
vitamin D supplementation | decrease | fasting plasma glucose | GDM patients | -6.9 ± 6.6 mg/dL | decreased | #7 |
vitamin D supplementation | decrease | serum insulin levels | GDM patients | -1.3 ± 6.3 μIU/mL | decreased | #8 |
vitamin D supplementation | decrease | homeostatic model of assessment for insulin resistance | GDM patients | -0.5 ± 1.4 | decreased | #9 |
vitamin D supplementation | increase | quantitative insulin sensitivity check index | GDM patients | +0.008 ± 0.02 | increased | #10 |
omega-3 fatty acids supplementation | decrease | fasting plasma glucose | GDM patients | -4.0 ± 2.5 mg/dL | decreased | #11 |
omega-3 fatty acids supplementation | decrease | serum insulin levels | GDM patients | -0.4 ± 6.3 μIU/mL | decreased | #12 |
omega-3 fatty acids supplementation | decrease | homeostatic model of assessment for insulin resistance | GDM patients | -0.2 ± 1.5 | decreased | #13 |
omega-3 fatty acids supplementation | increase | quantitative insulin sensitivity check index | GDM patients | +0.002 ± 0.02 | increased | #14 |
placebo | increase | fasting plasma glucose | GDM patients | +1.0 ± 11.4 mg/dL | increased | #15 |
placebo | increase | serum insulin levels | GDM patients | +2.6 ± 6.5 μIU/mL | increased | #16 |
placebo | increase | homeostatic model of assessment for insulin resistance | GDM patients | +0.6 ± 1.5 | increased | #17 |
placebo | decrease | quantitative insulin sensitivity check index | GDM patients | -0.005 ± 0.02 | decreased | #18 |
OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to evaluate the effects of vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids co-supplementation on glucose metabolism and lipid concentrations in gestational diabetes (GDM) patients. METHODS: This randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial was done among 140 GDM patients. Participants were randomly divided into 4 groups to receive: (1) 1000 mg omega-3 fatty acids containing 360 mg eicosapentaenoic acid and 240 mg docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) twice a day + vitamin D placebo (n = 35); (2) 50,000 IU vitamin D every 2 weeks + omega-3 fatty acids placebo (n = 35); (3) 50,000 IU vitamin D every 2 weeks + 1000 mg omega-3 fatty acids twice a day (n = 35), and (4) vitamin D placebo + omega-3 fatty acids placebo (n = 35) for 6 weeks. RESULTS: After 6 weeks of intervention, patients who received combined vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids supplements compared with vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, and placebo had significantly decreased fasting plasma glucose (-7.3 ± 7.8, -6.9 ± 6.6, -4.0 ± 2.5, and +1.0 ± 11.4 mg/dL, respectively, P < .001), serum insulin levels (-1.9 ± 1.9, -1.3 ± 6.3, -0.4 ± 6.3, and +2.6 ± 6.5 μIU/mL, respectively, P = .005), homeostatic model of assessment for insulin resistance (-0.7 ± 0.6, -0.5 ± 1.4, -0.2 ± 1.5, and +0.6 ± 1.5, respectively, P < .001) and increased quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (+0.01 ± 0.01, +0.008 ± 0.02, +0.002 ± 0.02, and -0.005 ± 0.02, respectively, P = .001). In addition, changes in serum triglycerides (-8.2 ± 41.0, +7.6 ± 31.5, +3.6 ± 29.9, and +20.1 ± 29.6 mg/dL, respectively, P = .006) and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (-1.6 ± 8.2, +1.5 ± 6.3, +0.8 ± 6.0, and +4.0 ± 5.9 mg/dL, respectively, P = .006) in the vitamin D plus omega-3 fatty acids group were significantly different from the changes in these indicators in the vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, and placebo groups. CONCLUSION: Overall, vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids co-supplementation for 6 weeks among GDM patients had beneficial effects on fasting plasma glucose, serum insulin levels, homeostatic model of assessment for insulin resistance, quantitative insulin sensitivity check index, serum triglycerides, and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels.