Lower EPA Levels Relative to Arachidonic Acid Linked to More Severe COVID-19 in Hospitalized Patients
Researchers studied 180 unvaccinated adults hospitalized with COVID-19, grouping them into five severity categories based on their condition during their hospital stay. The team measured blood levels of two omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA), the omega-6 fatty acid arachidonic acid (AA), and various inflammation-related byproducts of these fats.
Overall, the ratio of total omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids did not differ between the more and less severe groups. However, a more specific marker—the ratio of EPA to arachidonic acid (EPA/AA)—was notably lower in patients in one of the more severe groups compared to the least severe group.
This lower EPA/AA ratio was linked with higher levels of C-reactive protein, a well-known marker of inflammation, suggesting a possible connection between omega-3 fatty acid status and the inflammatory response seen in more severe COVID-19 cases.
What this means for you
This observational study suggests that having relatively less EPA compared to arachidonic acid in the blood may be associated with more inflammation and greater illness severity in hospitalized COVID-19 patients, but it does not prove that omega-3 fatty acids prevent or treat COVID-19—more research is needed to understand cause and effect.
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Start the ALP ProtocolThis summary is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always talk to your healthcare provider before making changes to your supplement routine.