Randomized Controlled Trial of Omega-3 and -6 Fatty Acid Supplementation to Reduce Inflammatory Markers in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Sarah A Keim, Abigail Jude, Katie Smith and 8 others
PMID 35013866WHAT IT FOUND
Omega-3 and -6 supplements raised blood fatty acid levels and lowered one inflammatory marker (IL-2) in young children with ASD.
The study did not test behavior or core symptoms, so clinicians cannot infer clinical benefit from these lab changes.
Key findings
01Supplementation significantly increased red blood cell levels of EPA and DHA compared to placebo.
02A statistically significant decrease in the inflammatory cytokine IL-2 was observed, with a moderate effect size.
03The trial was designed to assess safety and biomarker changes, not clinical outcomes like ASD behaviors or core symptoms.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The study was small (70 participants) and conducted at a single site, limiting generalizability. The primary outcomes were biological markers (fatty acids and cytokines), not clinical behaviors or ASD symptoms, so the relevance to daily functioning is unknown. The study was not powered to analyze effects by dose, so it is unclear if weight-based dosing influenced outcomes. Participants were recently diagnosed and had not yet started therapy programs, which may differ from the typical clinical population. Attrition was 11% (8 of 70 participants did not complete the trial).
Declared interests
Nordic Naturals provided the investigational product at no cost, and Welsh, Holme, & Clark Co., Inc. provided the placebo canola oil at no cost. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret the reduction in inflammatory markers as evidence that this supplement improves ASD symptoms. The study measured only blood biomarkers and safety, not behavior or communication, and was not powered for clinical outcomes.