Nutritional status plays critical roles in fighting infections, influencing not only how well the body’s immune system works but also how pathogens behave in the body. Findings from a new study suggest that omega-3 fatty acids improve clinical outcomes in critically ill patients with COVID-19.
Omega-3 fatty acids, such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and alpha-linoleic acid (ALA) are essential nutrients. They participate in a wide range of physiological functions, including immune responses. Evidence suggests that omega-3 fatty acids stabilize cell membranes, regulate immune function, impair hyper-inflammatory reactions, and reduce severe outcomes associated with infections, such as systemic inflammatory response syndrome and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome.
The double-blind, randomized clinical trial involved 101 critically ill hospitalized patients (average age, 65 years) diagnosed with COVID-19. Twenty-eight of the patients received 1,000 milligrams of supplemental omega-3 fatty acids via enteral feeding daily for two weeks, commencing 24 hours after admission to the intensive care unit. The supplement provided 400 milligrams of EPA and 200 milligrams of DHA. The remainder of the participants received enteral feeding without supplemental omega-3 fatty acids. The study investigators collected the participants' anthropometric data, medical histories, dietary records, and biochemical measures of respiratory and renal function.
The one-month survival rate was 21 percent among the patients who received the supplemental omega-3 fatty acids, versus 3 percent among those who did not receive the supplement. The supplemented group also had improved markers of respiratory and renal function, including higher arterial pH, bicarbonate, and urinary output levels and lower blood urea-nitrogen, creatinine, and potassium levels.
These findings suggest that supplemental omega-3 fatty acids improve respiratory and renal function in critically ill patients with COVID-19. Although the study was sufficiently powered, the sample size was small, necessitating future studies with larger groups.
The science digest is a special email we send out just twice per month to members of our premium community. It covers in-depth science on familiar FoundMyFitness related topics.
If you're interested in trying out a few issues for free, enter your email below or click here to learn more about the benefits of premium membership here.