Omega-3 Supplements and Survival in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients
This analysis combined results from six randomized controlled trials involving 273 hospitalized COVID-19 patients to see whether omega-3 fatty acid supplementation (such as EPA and DHA) affected outcomes compared to placebo or standard nutritional care.
The pooled data showed that patients who received omega-3 fatty acids had lower overall mortality than those who didn’t (a 24% relative reduction in risk of death), with consistent results across studies. No serious safety concerns or drug-related adverse events were reported.
However, when researchers looked at inflammation markers like CRP and IL-6, they found no statistically significant differences between the omega-3 and control groups. One study did find a lower neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (a marker sometimes linked to inflammation severity) in the omega-3 group by day 7. Some individual studies also reported differences in kidney-related measures like creatinine and urine volume, but these were not consistent or pooled across all trials.
What this means for you
This meta-analysis suggests a potential link between omega-3 supplementation and improved survival in hospitalized COVID-19 patients, but the authors emphasize that the evidence is based on a small number of studies with limited patients, and the certainty of evidence was rated low. Larger, well-designed trials are needed before drawing firm conclusions, and this research does not indicate that omega-3s can treat or prevent COVID-19.
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Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition · 2023-09-01 · DOI: 10.6133/apjcn.202309_32(3).0002
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.