FACT BRIEF

Is there clinical proof that omega-3 fatty acids could help treat COVID-19?

Saturday, November 14, 2020

By Sabrina Scoggin

Copy link

Copy featured image

Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish, nuts and oils, have been found to reduce inflammation, properties that have prompted wide interest in their possible use in treating COVID-19 infections. While there is no proof, researchers examining their known effects suggest they could help treat symptoms of "hyperinflammation" in organs and tissues associated with COVID-19.

A search of a U.S. database of current clinical trials shows research is underway to assess the theorized benefits.

A trade publication notes that more than a dozen fish oil-based potential treatments are under development. The manufacturer of Vascepa, a prescription drug derived from fish oil, is backing a trial at a northern California medical center, focusing on high-risk cardiovascular patients.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.

Sources

National Institutes of Health: Fact sheet about omega-3 fatty acids

National Library of Medicine: May omega-3 fatty acid dietary supplementation help reduce severe complications in COVID-19 patients?

National Library of Medicine: Potential benefits and risks of omega-3 fatty acids supplementation to patients with COVID-19

ClinicalTrials.gov: Search for clinical trials involving omega-3 and COVID-19

Intrafish: More than a dozen fish-oil-based COVID-19 treatments are racing towards production

Kaiser Permanente: Trial for adults at high risk for respiratory illness

ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTOR

Gigafact

Between 2020 and 2022, under close editorial supervision, Gigafact contracted a group of freelance writers and editors to test the concepts for fact briefs and provide inputs to our software development process. We call this effort Gigafact Foundry. Over the course of these two years, Gigafact Foundry writers published over 1500 fact briefs in response to claims they found online. Their important work forms the basis of Gigafact formats and editorial guidelines, and is available to the public on Gigafact.org. Readers should be aware that while there is still a lot of relevant information to be found, not all fact briefs produced by Gigafact Foundry reflect Gigafact's current methods and standards for fact briefs. If you come across any that you feel are out of date and need to be looked at with fresh eyes, don't hesitate to contact us at support@gigafact.org.

FACT BRIEF BY

Latest fact briefs

About fact briefs published on Gigafact

Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact —a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. See all fact briefs here.