Rittenhouse Melissa, Khurana Saachi, Scholl Stephen, Emerson Christopher
Department of Military and Emergency Medicine, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA.
Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., Bethesda, MD 20817, USA.
Nutrients. 2025 Jan 16;17(2):307. doi: 10.3390/nu17020307.
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Omega-3 fatty acids (-3), recognized for their anti-inflammatory and brain health benefits, are being studied to enhance cognitive function, aid physical recovery, and reduce injury rates among military service members (SMs). Given the unique demands faced by this tactical population, this systematic review aims to evaluate the evidence of -3 to support physical and mental resilience and overall performance.
This review was conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and includes articles that assessed -3 status or implemented -3 interventions in relation to physical and cognitive performance, recovery, and injury outcomes (2006 to 2024). Of the 1606 articles yielded in screening through Covidence, 755 were irrelevant, leaving 226 studies for full-text eligibility. Of those 226 studies, 165 studies were excluded, and 61 studies were included in this review.
The results highlighted evidence-based findings in five key areas where omega-3 fatty acids are being evaluated to benefit military service members. These key areas include cardiopulmonary function, exercise recovery, cognitive function, injury recovery, and strength and power. While existing research suggests promising benefits, the most significant evidence was seen with cardiopulmonary function, exercise recovery, and cognitive function.
Current research is promising and shows potential benefits, but the results are inconclusive and inconsistent. Future research is needed to determine optimal -3 status, dose, and possibly type of -3 across the various performance outcomes. Understanding these gaps in research will be essential to creating evidence-based -3 guidelines for optimal performance of SMs.
背景/目的：ω-3脂肪酸（-3）因其抗炎和对大脑健康的益处而受到关注，目前正在进行研究，以提高认知功能、促进身体恢复并降低军人的受伤率。鉴于这一战术人群面临的独特需求，本系统评价旨在评估-3支持身心恢复力和整体表现的证据。
本评价按照系统评价和Meta分析的首选报告项目（PRISMA）指南进行，纳入了评估-3状态或实施-3干预措施与身体和认知表现、恢复及受伤结果相关的文章（2006年至2024年）。在通过Covidence筛选出的1606篇文章中，755篇不相关，剩下226项研究进行全文资格审查。在这226项研究中，排除了165项研究，本评价纳入了61项研究。
结果突出了在五个关键领域基于证据的发现，这些领域正在评估ω-3脂肪酸对军人的益处。这些关键领域包括心肺功能、运动恢复、认知功能、损伤恢复以及力量和爆发力。虽然现有研究表明有潜在益处，但在心肺功能、运动恢复和认知功能方面的证据最为显著。
目前的研究很有前景，显示出潜在益处，但结果尚无定论且不一致。未来需要开展研究，以确定在各种表现结果方面的最佳-3状态、剂量以及可能的-3类型。了解这些研究差距对于制定基于证据的-3指南以实现军人的最佳表现至关重要。
