COVID-19 vaccines: Omega-3 supplements help fight side effects
The COVID-19 pandemic has severely tested our physical and psychological health, but many have struggled to accept the proposed vaccines due to possible side effects. Today, an entirely Italian study reveals that Omega 3 supplements can help reduce some of them.
The study in question was published in the journal Nutrients by a group of researchers from the University of Tor Vergata in Rome and the University of Messina led by Paola Gualtieri and Domenico Trombetta, and specifically found an inverse association between the intake of Omega 3 supplements and the onset of side effects at the beginning of the administration cycle of the vaccines.
Omega 3 and COVID-19
Previously, some studies had highlighted the existence of an association between the intake of Omega 3 supplements and some aspects of COVID-19.
In particular, patients with severe symptoms who took 1000 mg of Omega 3 daily for 14 days saw an improvement in kidney function.
The intake of 2000 mg of Omega 3 daily for 2 weeks was instead associated with improvement in some symptoms related to the disease (pain and fatigue) and reduction of inflammation biomarkers (C-reactive protein – CRP – and erythrocyte sedimentation rate – ESR).
The new study on COVID-19 vaccines and dietary supplements
This new study involved 776 participants (all Italians, aged between 18 and 86 years), who completed a questionnaire administered between February 8 and June 15, 2022. Among the requested data were information on infection by the novel coronavirus, administration of COVID-19 vaccines, and intake of dietary supplements.
It emerged that at the beginning of the vaccination cycle Omega 3 supplement intake was associated with fewer vaccine side effects. More generally, the intake of dietary supplements was beneficial from this point of view, with more evident effects at the beginning or end of the vaccination cycle depending on the nutrient present in the product considered.
For example, the intake of minerals supplements was also associated with a reduction of symptoms often complained about at the beginning of the vaccination cycle, just like Omega 3-based products. The intake of vitamin supplements was instead associated with a reduction of side effects at the end of the vaccination cycle.
Why do Omega 3 reduce COVID-19 vaccine side effects?
The respiratory infection that leads to COVID-19 is associated with a very intense inflammatory response that leads to fever and malfunction of several organs.
The severity of the situation also depends on inflammation associated with nutrition. Indeed, an optimal nutritional status ensures proper regulation of inflammatory and oxidative phenomena through which the immune system fights infections (viral, such as the one underlying COVID-19, but also bacterial).
