The COVID-19 pandemic is continuing to exert a huge burden on public health care and the economy. Natural products have been receiving increased attention among the scientific and medical communities for their health benefits. Today at Nutramedica we discuss a recent study that demonstrates the potential applications of omega-3 fatty acids for managing Covid-19. To help us best understand the implications of the new study and the science behind it, we invited Dr Bruce Holub to describe the study’s findings.
Dr Holub is a world-renowned expert on fatty acids and Professor Emeritus in the Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences at the University of Guelph. He has authored over 200 papers in scientific journals. Also joining us is Dr Peter Alphonse, Vice President of Scientific and Regulatory affairs with Nutritional Fundamentals for Health Inc.
Key Take-Aways
Omega-3 fatty acids
Omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA are commonly found in oily fish and fish oil supplements. These omega-3 fatty acids have been found to provide immune protection and be anti-inflammatory.
Health benefits
During pregnancy, higher intakes of long chain omega-3 have been associated with better infant outcomes and reduced risk of premature delivery. Increasing intakes of omega-3 fatty acids improve children’s performance in school, as well as their cognitive and visual acuity. In the general adult population, higher omega-3 fatty acid intakes have been shown to reduce risk of sudden cardiac death and all-cause mortality.
Omega-3 fatty acids and Covid-19 severity
A recent peer-reviewed article showed that Covid-19 patients in critical care with higher blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids showed significantly lesser mortality compared with patients with lower levels. Intakes of 1000 – 3000 milligrams of EPA and DHA per day were considered necessary to provide the blood levels needed to observe the benefit.
Sub-optimal intakes of omega-3 fatty acids
North Americans consume on average only one serving of omega-3 fatty acids every 10 days, or 110 milligrams of EPA and DHA per day. In contrast, the Covid-19 study asserts that at least 1000 milligrams per day is the desirable target. Since most people are not willing or able to consume fatty omega-3 fatty acidrich fish seven days a week, supplementation with EPA and DHA is the only option to reach this target.
Measuring omega-3 levels
The “Omega score” is a measure of health risk, which takes a few drops of blood on specialized paper strips that then go to a lab where the omega-3 fatty acid levels are measured. The patient obtains a report on the percent of omega-3 fatty acids relative to total fatty acids, which represents the Omega score. Most people who supplement with omega-3 fatty acids will likely be in the low-risk zone.
Key Quotes
“I always say to my students when the class is over, please get up off your fatty acids, exercise more, and take your omega-3 fatty acids.”
Dr Bruce Holub
“Natural products can increase the recovery or the survival rate in patients and omega-3 fatty acids fit right in because recent evidence shows in critical care patients how useful supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids is.”
Dr Peter Alphonse
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The opinions expressed in this Nutramedica program are those of the guests and contributors. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Nutritional Fundamentals For Health Inc.
This video is intended for licensed or registered health professionals and students of health professions only. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Information contained in these programs are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
