This powerful nutrient helps kick COVID to the curb

Two years in, and the virus-that-shall-not-be-named continues to clutter our news feeds.  

That’s why I have noticeably taken a break from talking about it. (Perhaps you’ve noticed?) 

But every so often, a promising, newsworthy study does hit the headlines.  

And this is one I just couldn’t resist sharing—because it showcases the powers of one of my favorite nutrients against one of the most dreaded viruses of our time. 

I’m talking about fish oil for COVID-19 protection. 

A positive trend  

This study, called PREPARE-IT 2, analyzed the effects of high doses of a purified form of EPA (one of the main omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil) called icosapent ethyl on COVID-19 hospitalizations and death. Findings revealed it was unable to significantly reduce either.  

But, as usual, that’s only part of the story. Because even though the results didn’t meet the study’s primary goal, there was still a definite trend in the right direction. In fact, researchers found a 16 percent drop in death or hospitalization. Simply from fish oil! (Albeit a patented pharmaceutical version of it.) 

Even better, there were NO adverse effects, even from this heightened dose.  

So even though these endpoints never reached statistical significance—largely because there were simply fewer COVID-related events than the researchers had anticipated—they’re still quite promising.    

(With so many people vaccinated now, there just aren’t as many COVID hospitalizations as there used to be. Plus, the study only lasted for 28 days. So who knows what kind of positive clinical outcomes a longer period of time may have delivered. Of course, this also means that there may never be another trial like this. That’s why I like to highlight the power of nutraceuticals whenever the opportunity arises.) 

Powerful support 

It certainly makes sense to me that fish oil—in its natural form, not this “patented” pharmaceutical version—would offer support against COVID-19. (And perhaps even some degree of prevention.)   

After all, fish oil has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and infection-fighting properties. Plus, it helps to lower triglycerides and prevent blood clots—all things that come in handy in our fight against this virus. (That’s especially true for those patients who aren’t sick enough to warrant hospitalization, but still feel pretty bad.) 

And other studies have shown its benefits against COVID…  

In fact, in a small study of 100 COVID patients performed last year, icosapent ethyl was able to slash levels of C-reactive protein (CRP)—a marker of inflammation—and improve symptoms.  

So—I’m still happy to take this as a win for our team.  

At the very least, you just can’t go wrong with a hefty daily dose of fish oil—it really is one of the most important things you can do for your health. That’s why I routinely recommend 3,000 mg of EPA/DHA in supplement form per day.  

Source: 

“High-Dose Fish Oil: ‘Intriguing’ Results in COVID-19.” Medscape Medical News, 11/15/2021. (medscape.com/viewarticle/962972)