Omega-3 and Blood Markers Linked to Heart and COVID-19 Risk in People with Low Vitamin D
This clinical trial looked at 82 adults in Jordan who had low vitamin D levels. Participants took a low dose of omega-3 fatty acids (300 mg per day) for 8 weeks, and researchers measured changes in blood markers called ACE and ACE2, which are involved in blood pressure regulation and have also been studied in relation to COVID-19.
After omega-3 supplementation, ACE levels and the ACE/ACE2 ratio decreased significantly, along with a drop in vitamin D levels. ACE2 and triglyceride levels did not change meaningfully. However, LDL cholesterol (often called ‘bad’ cholesterol) increased significantly in the omega-3 group.
The researchers suggested that the drop in the ACE/ACE2 ratio might reflect a favorable shift for cardiovascular and immune function, and speculated this could relate to COVID-19 outcomes, though the study did not test infection or disease severity directly. They also noted the rise in LDL as a potential downside worth further study.
What this means for you
This small, short-term study found mixed results: omega-3 supplementation shifted one blood marker (ACE/ACE2 ratio) in a direction some researchers consider favorable for heart and immune health, but it also raised LDL cholesterol. The findings are preliminary and don’t show that omega-3 prevents or treats any disease, including COVID-19 — larger, longer trials would be needed to understand what these blood marker changes actually mean for health outcomes.
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Pharmacy practice · 2023-01-01 · DOI: 10.18549/PharmPract.2023.1.2761
Read the original source ↗This summary is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always talk to your healthcare provider before making changes to your supplement routine.