Comparing the cardiovascular risk-reducing effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids in fish oil and krill oil: A network meta-analysis

Abstract

The study aimed to compare the cardiovascular benefits of fish oil (FO) and krill oil (KO) in various molecular forms/variants. These included ethyl ester (EE), triglyceride (TG), re-esterified triacylglycerol (rTAG), phospholipid/free fatty acid (PL/FFA), high concentration phospholipid (HPL), low concentration phospholipid (LPL), and emulsion (EM), across diverse dosages. A network meta-analysis approach adhering to PRISMA guidelines was used. Sixty studies from databases including Embase, PubMed, ClinicalTrials.gov, ICTRP-WHO, and Cochrane (1993–2023) were analyzed with RStudio (PROSPERO ID: CRD42024502338). Key findings included KO-PL/FFA 2000–2900 mg effectively lowering triglycerides, FO-EE above 3000 mg reducing total cholesterol, FO-EE above 3000 mg and FO-TG below 2000 mg notably reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and FO-TG 2000–2900 mg improving high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The study confirmed high reliability with no publication bias (p > 0.05, Egger’s test). In conclusion, KO-PL/FFA, FO-EE above 3000 mg, FO-TG 2000–2900 mg, and FO-rTAG 300–1900 mg effectively reduce cardiovascular risk factors.

Keywords

• Marine oils
• Omega-3
• Cholesterols
• Triglycerides
• Cardiovascular risk factors