Does Omega-3 Help Keep Arteries Flexible? A Look Across 20 Clinical Trials

This systematic review pulled together 20 randomized controlled trials that tested whether omega-3 supplements could reduce arterial stiffness, measured using a common test called pulse wave velocity (PWV). Stiffer arteries are generally linked to higher cardiovascular risk, so researchers wanted to see if omega-3 intake made a measurable difference.

The results were mixed. Slightly more than half of the studies found a significant improvement in arterial stiffness, while the rest showed no meaningful change. When the researchers looked closer, a pattern emerged: benefits were more consistently seen in trials using higher omega-3 doses (roughly 1.8 to 4 grams per day), those lasting 12 weeks or longer, and those involving people with metabolic conditions or elevated cardiovascular risk.

On the other hand, trials using lower doses, short-term interventions, or plant-based omega-3 sources (rather than fish-derived EPA/DHA) were more likely to show no significant effect. The authors concluded that study design factors like dose, duration, and who is being studied likely explain much of the inconsistency in this research area.