Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is produced by the pituitary gland and plays a central role in ovarian function and fertility. Elevated FSH levels are often associated with reduced fertility, menopause, or premature ovarian aging, although interpretation depends on age, cycle timing, and overall hormonal context.
A prospective, interventional study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism (2016 Jan;101(1):324–333. doi:10.1210/jc.2015-2913) examined whether omega-3 fatty acid supplementation influenced FSH levels in women of different body weights. The study included 15 obese women and 12 normal-weight women, ages 28 to 34, all of whom had normal menstrual cycles and normal ovarian reserve.
FSH levels were measured before and after one month of supplementation with 4 grams per day of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), providing eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). In normal-weight women, omega-3 supplementation was associated with an average 17% reduction in serum FSH levels and a reduced FSH response to gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulation (P = .06 and P = .03, respectively). These hormonal changes were not observed in obese women.
In contrast, obese women experienced reductions in inflammatory markers, including interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), following omega-3 supplementation. However, these inflammatory changes were not accompanied by corresponding changes in FSH levels.
The researchers concluded that dietary omega-3 fatty acid supplementation reduced serum FSH levels in non-obese women but not in obese women with normal ovarian reserve. These findings suggest that body weight and inflammatory status may influence how omega-3 fatty acids interact with reproductive hormone regulation.
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