Omega-3 fatty acids in the psychological and physiological resilience against COVID-19

Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2020 Oct:161:102177. doi: 10.1016/j.plefa.2020.102177. Epub 2020 Sep 25.

Abstract

As the infected cases of COVID-19 reach more than 20 million with more than 778,000 deaths globally, an increase in psychiatric disorders including anxiety and depression has been reported. Scientists globally have been searching for novel therapies and vaccines to fight against COVID-19. Improving innate immunity has been suggested to block progression of COVID-19 at early stages, while omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) have been shown to have immunomodulation effects. Moreover, n-3 PUFAs have also been shown to improve mood disorders, thus, future research is warranted to test if n-3 PUFAs may have the potential to improve our immunity to counteract both physical and mental impact of COVID-19.

Keywords: Covid-19; Immunomodulation; Omega-3.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anxiety / immunology
  • Anxiety / metabolism
  • Anxiety / prevention & control*
  • Anxiety / virology
  • Betacoronavirus / immunology
  • Betacoronavirus / pathogenicity
  • COVID-19
  • Coronavirus Infections / immunology
  • Coronavirus Infections / metabolism
  • Coronavirus Infections / prevention & control*
  • Coronavirus Infections / virology
  • Cytokines / biosynthesis
  • Cytokines / immunology
  • Dendritic Cells / drug effects
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology
  • Dendritic Cells / virology
  • Depression / immunology
  • Depression / metabolism
  • Depression / prevention & control*
  • Depression / virology
  • Dietary Supplements*
  • Epithelial Cells / drug effects
  • Epithelial Cells / immunology
  • Epithelial Cells / virology
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / administration & dosage*
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / immunology
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / metabolism
  • Host-Pathogen Interactions / drug effects
  • Host-Pathogen Interactions / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Innate / drug effects
  • Immunologic Factors / administration & dosage*
  • Immunologic Factors / immunology
  • Immunologic Factors / metabolism
  • Lymphocytes / drug effects
  • Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Lymphocytes / virology
  • Macrophages / drug effects
  • Macrophages / immunology
  • Macrophages / virology
  • Pandemics / prevention & control*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / immunology
  • Pneumonia, Viral / metabolism
  • Pneumonia, Viral / prevention & control*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / virology
  • SARS-CoV-2

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3
  • Immunologic Factors