Condition
Low Birth Weight
Low birth weight means a baby is born smaller than the healthy range, often because of limited nourishment before birth, which raises the odds of later health problems. Prenatal multivitamins, iron and folic acid have the strongest evidence overall, yet for birth weight itself, iron studies found a change without a clear direction and folic acid results were mixed. Zinc showed no clear difference, and the iron findings came from one small review.
Sources: PMID 37403900; PMID 22992251
- Supplements studied
- 4
- Graded outcomes
- 4
- People studied
- 19,281
Evidence by supplement
- Strong
- Moderate
- Limited
- Very limited
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infant Birth Weight Mixed effect | 2 studies | 707 people | ||||
Studies that measured infant birth weight | ||||||
| Infant Death Risk | Improves (the measure goes down) | 4,002 people | ||||
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infant Birth Weight Small Increase | Improves (the measure goes down) | Small effect | 1 study | 361 people | ||
Studies that measured infant birth weight | ||||||
| Iron Deficiency Anemia Risk | Changes; see studies | 1,670 people | ||||
| Iron Deficiency Risk | Changes; see studies | 1,663 people | ||||
Fish Oil
- Infant Birth Weight: improves
- Pre-Eclampsia Risk: changes; see studies
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infant Birth Weight Small Increase | Improves (the measure goes down) | Small effect | 2,302 people | |||
| Pre-Eclampsia Risk | Changes; see studies | 1 study | 1,831 people | |||
Studies that measured pre-eclampsia risk | ||||||
Zinc
- Infant Birth Weight
- Preterm Birth Risk: changes; see studies
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infant Birth Weight No effect | NoneNo effect | 6,757 people | ||||
| Preterm Birth Risk | Changes; see studies | 1 study | 7,637 people | |||
Studies that measured preterm birth risk | ||||||
Key findings
- Infant Birth Weight
The Low Birth Weight Prevention (Prenatal Nutrition) protocol
2 primary supplements · 5 supporting supplements
- Prenatal MultivitaminOne prenatal multivitamin daily throughout pregnancy
- Iron27–60 mg daily (higher if anemic)
Studies cited
100 studies from PubMed
- A comparison of the effects of n-3 fatty acids from linseed oil and fish oil in well-controlled type II diabetes
- Effect of omega 3 fatty acid on plasma lipids, cholesterol and lipoprotein fatty acid content in NIDDM patients
- Dietary supplementation with eicosapentaenoic acid, but not with other long-chain n-3 or n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, decreases natural killer cell activity in healthy subjects aged >55 y
- Metabolic and endocrine effects of long-chain versus essential omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in polycystic ovary syndrome
- DHA-rich oil modulates the cerebral haemodynamic response to cognitive tasks in healthy young adults: a near IR spectroscopy pilot study
- Effects of a Small Quantity of omega-3 Fatty Acids on Cardiovascular Risk Factors in NIDDM. A Randomized, Prospective, Double-Blind, Controlled Study
- Eicosapentaenoic and Docosahexaenoic Acids Attenuate Progression of Albuminuria in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Coronary Artery Disease
- Early impact of prescription Omega-3 fatty acids on platelet biomarkers in patients with coronary artery disease and hypertriglyceridemia
- Fish oil supplementation for primary prevention of atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass graft surgery: A randomized clinical trial
- Intake of n-3 fatty acids from fish does not lower serum concentrations of C-reactive protein in healthy subjects
- A systematic review of fish-oil supplements for the prevention and treatment of hypertension
- Benefits of fish oil supplementation in hyperlipidemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis
- Efficacy and tolerability of adding prescription omega-3 fatty acids 4 g/d to simvastatin 40 mg/d in hypertriglyceridemic patients: an 8-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
- A controlled study on the effects of n-3 fatty acids on lipid and glucose metabolism in non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients
- Effects of adding prescription omega-3 acid ethyl esters to simvastatin (20 mg/day) on lipids and lipoprotein particles in men and women with mixed dyslipidemia
- Effect of n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Supplementation on Metabolic and Inflammatory Biomarkers in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients
- Prescription omega-3-acid ethyl esters reduce fasting and postprandial triglycerides and modestly reduce pancreatic β-cell response in subjects with primary hypertriglyceridemia
- Additive benefits of long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and weight-loss in the management of cardiovascular disease risk in overweight hyperinsulinaemic women
- Effects of prescription omega-3-acid ethyl esters on fasting lipid profile in subjects with primary hypercholesterolemia
- A comparison of fish oil or corn oil supplements in hyperlipidemic subjects with NIDDM
- The hypotriglyceridemic effect of fish oil in adult-onset diabetes without adverse glucose control
- Effect of fish oil supplementation on serum triglycerides, LDL cholesterol and LDL subfractions in hypertriglyceridemic adults
- Acute fish oil and soy isoflavone supplementation increase postprandial serum (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids and isoflavones but do not affect triacylglycerols or biomarkers of oxidative stress in overweight and obese hypertriglyceridemic men
- Dose-response effects of omega-3 fatty acids on triglycerides, inflammation, and endothelial function in healthy persons with moderate hypertriglyceridemia
- Combined effects of aerobic exercise and omega-3 fatty acids in hyperlipidemic persons
- The effect of low-dose marine n-3 fatty acids on the biosynthesis of pro-inflammatory 5-lipoxygenase pathway metabolites in overweight subjects: a randomized controlled trial
- The influence of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and very low calorie diet during a short-term weight reducing regimen on weight loss and serum fatty acid composition in severely obese women
- Dietary supplementation with n-3 PUFA does not promote weight loss when combined with a very-low-energy diet
- Moderate consumption of fatty fish reduces diastolic blood pressure in overweight and obese European young adults during energy restriction
- Effects of fish oil supplementation on glucose and lipid metabolism in NIDDM
- Metabolic effects of omega-3 fatty acids in type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetic patients
- Moderate intake of n-3 fatty acids for 2 months has no detrimental effect on glucose metabolism and could ameliorate the lipid profile in type 2 diabetic men. Results of a controlled study
- Effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplements on serum lipids, apolipoproteins and malondialdehyde in type 2 diabetes patients
- Fish oil supplementation in type 2 diabetes: a quantitative systematic review
- Effect of fish oil concentrate on lipoprotein composition in NIDDM
- Fish oil supplementation improves endothelial function in normoglycemic offspring of patients with type 2 diabetes
- Supplementation with n-3 fatty acids reduces triglycerides but increases PAI-1 in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
- Effects of fish oil supplements in NIDDM subjects. Controlled study
- The efficacy of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on plasma homocysteine and malondialdehyde levels of type 2 diabetic patients
- Treatment for 2 mo with n 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids reduces adiposity and some atherogenic factors but does not improve insulin sensitivity in women with type 2 diabetes: a randomized controlled study
- Randomized Controlled Trial of DHA Supplementation during Pregnancy: Child Adiposity Outcomes
- Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation improves vascular function and reduces inflammation in obese adolescents
- Is fish oil supplementation effective on maternal serum FBS, oral glucose tolerance test, hemoglobin and hematocrit in low risk pregnant women? A triple-blind randomized controlled trial
- Effect of 6 Weeks of n-3 fatty-acid supplementation on oxidative stress in Judo athletes
- The effects of ingestion of omega-3 fatty acids on perceived pain and external symptoms of delayed onset muscle soreness in untrained men
- The effects of fish oil and isoflavones on delayed onset muscle soreness
- Effect of eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid on resting and exercise-induced inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers: a randomized, placebo controlled, cross-over study
- Dietary fish oil decreases C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and triacylglycerol to HDL-cholesterol ratio in postmenopausal women on HRT
- Supplementation with omega3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and all-rac alpha-tocopherol alone and in combination failed to exert an anti-inflammatory effect in human volunteers
- Fish oil supplementation alters circulating eicosanoid concentrations in young healthy men
- The effects of low dose n-3 fatty acids on serum lipid profiles and insulin resistance of the elderly: a randomized controlled clinical trial
- Effect of fish oil (n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids) on plasma lipids, lipoproteins and inflammatory markers in HIV-infected patients treated with antiretroviral therapy: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
- Effect of dietary supplementation with increasing doses of docosahexaenoic acid on neutrophil lipid composition and leukotriene production in human healthy volunteers
- No effect of fish oil supplementation on serum inflammatory markers and their interrelationships: a randomized controlled trial in healthy, middle-aged individuals
- Effects of marine omega-3 fatty acids on serum systemic and vascular inflammation markers and oxidative stress in hemodialysis patients
- Influence of very long-chain n-3 fatty acids on plasma markers of inflammation in middle-aged men
- Influence of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on soluble cellular adhesion molecules as biomarkers of cardiovascular risk in young healthy subjects
- Effect of dietary fish oil on body fat mass and basal fat oxidation in healthy adults
- The effect of dietary n-3 fatty acids on serum concentrations of C-reactive protein: a dose-response study
- Effects of fish oil on the neuro-endocrine responses to an endotoxin challenge in healthy volunteers
- Blunting the response to endotoxin in healthy subjects: effects of various doses of intravenous fish oil
- Effect of Fish Oil on Insulin Sensitivity in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized, Controlled Trials.
- Omega-3 supplementation on inflammatory markers in patients with chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy: a randomized clinical study
- Fish oil supplementation augments post-exercise immune function in young males
- Effects of omega-3 fatty acids on postprandial triglycerides and monocyte activation
- The effects of eicosapentaenoic acid-fortified food on inflammatory markers in healthy subjects--A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study
- Limited effect of eicosapentaenoic acid on T-lymphocyte and natural killer cell numbers and functions in healthy young males
- The synergistic effects of ω-3 fatty acids and nano-curcumin supplementation on tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α gene expression and serum level in migraine patients
- Dietary supplementation with gamma-linolenic acid or fish oil decreases T lymphocyte proliferation in healthy older humans
- Docosahexaenoic acid supplementation decreases liver fat content in children with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: double-blind randomised controlled clinical trial
- Efficacy of fish oil supplementation on metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: a meta-analysis.
- DHA-rich Fish Oil Increases the Omega-3 Index and Lowers the Oxygen Cost of Physiologically Stressful Cycling in Trained Individuals
- n-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation During 4 Weeks of Training Leads to Improved Anaerobic Endurance Capacity, but not Maximal Strength, Speed, or Power in Soccer Players
- Age- and dose-dependent effects of an eicosapentaenoic acid-rich oil on cardiovascular risk factors in healthy male subjects
- Moderate doses of EPA and DHA from re-esterified triacylglycerols but not from ethyl-esters lower fasting serum triacylglycerols in statin-treated dyslipidemic subjects: Results from a six month randomized controlled trial
- n-3 LC-PUFA-enriched dairy products are able to reduce cardiovascular risk factors: a double-blind, cross-over study
- The effect of prescription omega-3 fatty acids on body weight after 8 to 16 weeks of treatment for very high triglyceride levels
- The effect of omega 3 fatty acid supplementation on premenstrual syndrome and health-related quality of life: a randomized clinical trial
- Cognitive and physiological effects of Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation in healthy subjects
- Omega-3 fatty acids (fish-oil) and depression-related cognition in healthy volunteers
- Effect of maternal docosahexaenoic acid supplementation on postpartum depression and information processing
- High-dose eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) improves attention and vigilance in children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and low endogenous EPA levels
- Effect of supplementation with long-chain ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on behavior and cognition in children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): a randomized placebo-controlled intervention trial
- Effect of Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Lutein/Zeaxanthin, or Other Nutrient Supplementation on Cognitive Function: The AREDS2 Randomized Clinical Trial
- Beneficial effects of docosahexaenoic acid on cognition in age-related cognitive decline
- Effect of long-term omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation with or without multidomain intervention on cognitive function in elderly adults with memory complaints (MAPT): a randomised, placebo-controlled trial
- Omega-3 Supplementation and the Neural Correlates of Negative Affect and Impulsivity: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial in Midlife Adults
- Omega-3 fatty acids for a better mental state in working populations - Happy Nurse Project: A 52-week randomized controlled trial
- Blood profiles, body fat and mood state in healthy subjects on different diets supplemented with Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids
- Do long-chain n-3 fatty acids reduce arterial stiffness? A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
- Effect of low doses of long-chain n-3 PUFAs on endothelial function and arterial stiffness: a randomized controlled trial
- A meta-analysis shows that docosahexaenoic acid from algal oil reduces serum triglycerides and increases HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol in persons without coronary heart disease
- Influence of age and dietary fish oil on plasma soluble adhesion molecule concentrations
- Effect of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid supplementation on C-peptide preservation in pregnant women with type-1 diabetes: randomized placebo controlled clinical trial
- Effects of dietary modification and fish oil supplementation on dyslipoproteinemia in pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus
- A randomised interventional trial of omega-3-polyunsaturated fatty acids on endothelial function and disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus
- Beneficial effect of eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids in the management of systemic lupus erythematosus and its relationship to the cytokine network
- Effect of MaxEPA in patients with SLE. A double-blind, crossover study
- The clinical effect of dietary supplementation with omega-3 fish oils and/or copper in systemic lupus erythematosus
- Fish oil in lupus nephritis: clinical findings and methodological implications