Omega-3-index seems to protect against fatal outcome – healing practice

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High omega-3 index lowered the risk of COVID-19 death

Omega-3 fatty acids from fish, nuts, seeds and vegetable oils should not be missing in a healthy diet. Among other things, the essential fatty acids improve the flow properties of the blood, inhibit blood clotting, lower blood pressure and inflammation and have a positive effect on blood lipid levels. A recent study now shows that people with a high omega-3 index are less likely to die from COVID-19.

Researchers from the Fatty Acid Research Institute (FARI) and the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles and Orange County (USA) provided the first direct evidence that a high omega-3 index in the blood is associated with decreased COVID-19 levels. Associated risk of death. The study results were published on January 20, 2021 in the journal “Prostaglandins, Leukotriene and Essential Fatty Acids (PLEFA)” presented.

Omega-3 and COVID-19

Can high omega-3 levels protect against death from COVID-19? The current research suggests this. Earlier studies hypothesized that a high omega-3 index has a positive effect on the course of COVID-19. The first study has now been published that supports this connection.

What was investigated?

The research examined blood samples from 100 people with COVID-19 who had been admitted to hospital because of a severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. The researchers analyzed the omega-3 index in the blood of the participants and compared it with the course of the disease. The average age of the subjects was 72.5 years. 59 of the 100 participants were male.

What does the omega-3 index say?

The omega-3 index indicates what percentage of the total fatty acid content in the blood is made up of the sum of the omega-3 acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The index is given in percent. Many health professionals recommend aiming for a value above eight percent.

Classification according to the omega-3 index

For the study, the 100 participants were divided into four groups, depending on the underlying omega-3 index. The 25 people with the lowest omega-3 index formed the first group. Her omega-3 index (O3I) was below four percent. The second group consisted of 25 participants whose O3I was between four and 4.7 percent. In the 25 subjects in the third group, the O3I was between 4.7 and 5.7 percent. The 25 patients with the highest O3I over 5.7 percent formed the fourth group.

Can the omega-3 index be used as a risk marker?

A comparison with the course of the disease showed that 14 participants did not survive COVID-19. Of the 14 deaths, 13 were from the three groups with an O3I below 5.7 percent. In the group with the highest O3I, only one person died. The researchers calculated that the risk of COVID-19 death in the cohort was four times as high when the O3I was below 5.7 percent.

Limitation of the study

“While this pilot study does not meet the usual thresholds of statistical significance, it – along with the abundant evidence for the anti-inflammatory effects of EPA and DHA – strongly suggests that these dietary fatty acids may contribute to the risk of adverse outcomes in COVID -19 patients “, sums up study lead author Dr. Arash Asher. However, he also stresses that even larger studies are needed to clearly prove this link.

Can omega-3 mitigate cytokine storms?

Commenting on the study results, James H. O’Keefe, Jr., omega-3 expert and director of the preventive cardiology department at Saint Luke’s Mid America Heart Institute, “An excessive inflammatory response known as a ‘cytokine storm’ is a fundamental one Mediator of Serious COVID-19. Omega-3 fatty acids (DHA and EPA) have powerful anti-inflammatory effects, and this pilot study provides evidence that these fatty acids can dampen the cytokine storm of COVID-19. “(Vb)

Also read: Diet high in omega-3 lowers the risk of death after a heart attack.