A U.S. pilot study suggests higher omega-3 blood levels may reduce the risk of death from COVID-19.
The published study is the first direct evidence omega-3 fatty acids may have beneficial effects. It was written by researchers with the Fatty Acid Research Institute and collaborators at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles and in Orange County, California.
Omega-3 fatty acids are commonly understood to be guarantors of good health - despite little clinical evidence, experts say.
The group of polyunsaturated fatty acids is important for body functions. The omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic are found in seafood such as fatty fish and shellfish.
Omega-3s are also available as dietary supplements. There is some evidence about the health benefits of consuming seafood. On the other hand, the health benefits of omega-3 dietary supplements are unclear at the moment, the experts say.
The institute's study involving 100 patients with COVID-19 found the relative risk for death was about four times higher in those with a lower omega-3 index compared with those with higher levels.
Clinical outcomes for these patients obtained during the study led to this startling conclusion. The patients' blood was analyzed for omega-3 index and red blood cell membrane levels. Fourteen of the patients died.
"While not meeting standard statistical significance thresholds, this pilot study-along with multiple lines of evidence regarding the anti-inflammatory effects of (red-blood-cell membrane levels) - strongly suggests that these nutritionally available marine fatty acids may help reduce risk for adverse outcomes in COVID-19 patients," study lead author said Dr. Arash Asher said.
"Larger studies are clearly needed to confirm these preliminary findings."
Dr. Clemens von Schacky, the chief executive of Omegametrix GmbH in Germany and not involved with the study, said: "Asher et al have demonstrated that a low omega-3 index might be a powerful predictor for death from COVID-19. Although encouraging, their findings clearly need to be replicated."
Omega-3 expert Dr. James O'Keefe, Jr., director of preventive cardiology at Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute in Kansas City concurs. Excessive inflammatory response, which is referred to as a "cytokine storm," in COVID-19 patients, "is a fundamental mediator of severe COVID-19 illness. Omega-3 fatty acids have potent anti-inflammatory activities and this pilot study provides suggestive evidence that these fatty acids may dampen COVID-19's cytokine storm."
