Abstract

Background and aims Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) as the most common chronic liver disease is closely linked to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Omega-3 supplementation has been proposed as a strategy to manage T2DM and NAFLD. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of omega-3 supplementation on fatty liver index, lipid accumulation product and visceral adiposity index in diabetic patients with NAFLD. Methods In this 12-week double-blind, randomized controlled clinical trial, sixty diabetic patients with NAFLD were randomly assigned into the omega-3 and placebo groups for 12 weeks. The omega-3 group received 2000 mg/d omega-3 as capsule. Results Fifty-six participants completed the study. No significant difference was found between the two groups in the terms of fatty liver index, lipid accumulation product and visceral adiposity index at the baseline. Omega-3 supplementation compared with the placebo led to a significant improvement in fatty liver index (−3.6 ± 12.1 vs. 0.9 ± 8.9; P = 0.04), lipid accumulation product (−14.2 ± 27.9 vs. 8.0 ± 26.3; P = 0.002) and visceral adiposity index (−0.5 ± 0.9 vs. 0.0 ± 0.8; P = 0.01). Conclusion Omega-3 supplementation for 12 weeks improves fatty liver index, lipid accumulation product and visceral adiposity index. The study protocol was registered under Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials identifier number IRCT2016102530489N1.