Researchers have found that omega-3s have positive effects on the immune system’s ability to deal with the Covid-19 virus.
- The body does not know how to make omega-3s, which are therefore provided by food.
- The WHO recommends consuming 250 mg of omega-3 fatty acids per day.
This is further proof of the beneficial effect of “good fat“on the body: according to a study published in the journal Clinical and Translational Medicine, omega-3s strengthen the immune system in the event of severe Covid. In food, it is found, for example, in vegetable oils (rapeseed, flax, walnut, etc.) and fatty fish (salmon, mackerel).
Inflammation worsens the condition of the patient with Covid-19
In patients with Covid-19, the immune system and in particular the white blood cells are overactivated. This can lead to what is called a “systemic inflammatory storm“which aggravates the patient’s condition and can lead to complications such as sepsis and heart failure. However, according to the study, omega-3 fatty acids could promote healing by precisely fighting against this inflammation.
To achieve this result, the authors analyzed data from 22 elderly patients hospitalized with Covid-19. Half of them were taking an omega-3 fatty acid treatment intravenously for five days and the other half were given saline, a mixture of water with salt, also intravenously.
Omega-3s improve immune system response
“We first showed that the metabolism of fatty acids into inflammation-healing molecules was stimulated in patients treated with omega-3 fatty acids. By isolating immune cells before, during and after treatment, we were able to show that immune function had improved“, explains Magnus Bäck, one of the authors of this study.
This discovery could lead to a new low-risk treatment for patients with Covid-19, in addition to existing treatments.
