Interactive tool to catalog omega-3 human studies introduced by trade group

A one-of-a-kind interactive tool that catalogs all human studies on EPA and DHA omega-3s was introduced recently by the Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3s (GOED), an industry trade organization. The Clinical Study Database (CSD) is a comprehensive searchable database that allows users to understand the body of evidence supporting the benefits of omega-3s and can be filtered by outcome, population demographics, study size or dosage.

The group also published a peer-reviewed article highlighting the methodology behind the development of the database in Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids (PLEFA). The article, “Development of a novel database to review and assess the clinical effects of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids,” outlines the database capabilities and the methods used to gather data on the 45,000+ studies on EPA and DHA omega-3s.

By publishing this paper, GOED has provided transparency into the methods used for creating the database and collecting the underlying data and shown that this process is done according to established best practices. All data included was and continues to be extracted and reviewed by independent research assistants not affiliated with GOED, with built-in verification and correction procedures to ensure the information remains free from conflicts of interest, ensuring the scientific integrity of the database.

“We believe that having a peer-reviewed publication detailing the CSD methodology improves the credibility of the database,” said Aldo Bernasconi, PhD, vice president of data science for GOED and lead developer of the Clinical Study Database. “We hope that by validating and describing our data extraction and processing methods, scientists will be more inclined to trust the tool and employ it as part of their research-gathering.”

With more than 45,000 journal articles published to date, and 200-250 new papers published each month, research on EPA and DHA omega-3s is an active field. By cataloging and navigating this immense body of evidence, the CSD allows scientists and companies to:

1. Identify gaps in EPA and DHA omega-3 research
2. Perform literature searches for systematic reviews and meta-analyses
3. Gather Information for scientific outreach
4. Substantiate marketing messaging and regulatory claims

A virtual demonstration video of the database is available online. To inquire or schedule a personal demo, contact Kaitlin Roke, PhD, at kaitlin@goedomega3.com.

About GOED: GOED (Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3s) represents the worldwide EPA and DHA omega-3 industry, with a mission to increase consumption of EPA and DHA omega-3s around the world. The membership is built on a quality standard unparalleled in the market and members must comply with quality and ethics guidelines that ensure members produce quality products that consumers can trust. Our 160+ members represent the entire supply chain of EPA and DHA omega-3s, from fisheries and crude oil suppliers to refiners, concentrators and finished product brands.