Synbiotic vs Omega-3: Both Boosted Antioxidant Levels in Teens Exposed to Air Pollution
This study looked at whether a synbiotic (a blend of probiotics and prebiotics) or an omega-3 fatty acid supplement could help improve antioxidant defenses in teenagers living in a polluted city. Air pollution is known to increase oxidative stress in the body, which can strain the body’s natural antioxidant systems.
Researchers followed 70 healthy adolescents in Isfahan, Iran, for 8 weeks, splitting them into a synbiotic group and an omega-3 group. They measured total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in blood before and after the supplementation period.
Both groups showed a meaningful increase in TAC by the end of the study. However, when the two groups were compared directly, there was no significant difference between them — meaning the synbiotic supplement did not outperform omega-3, and vice versa.
What this means for you
For teens living in areas with higher air pollution, this small study suggests that both synbiotic and omega-3 supplementation may support the body’s antioxidant status similarly over an 8-week period. It doesn’t show one option as clearly better than the other, and more research is needed to confirm these findings in larger groups.
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Journal of research in medical sciences : the official journal of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences · 2026-01-01 · DOI: 10.4103/jrms.jrms_753_25
Read the original source ↗This summary is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always talk to your healthcare provider before making changes to your supplement routine.