Efficacy of Omega-3 supplementation in olfactory dysfunction: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

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.