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The high consumption of seed (vegetable) oils could play a significant role in severe Covid disease, and might even explain between-country variation in mortality.
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Omega-6 fatty acids are abundant in seed oils and their consumption leads to a pro-inflammatory state, in turn leading to a cytokine storm which is associated with Covid mortality.
Excessive consumption of linoleic acid, the most abundant component of seed oils, leads to imbalanced tissue fatty acids. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28535956/
The more omega-6 from linoleic acid consumed, the higher the proportion in tissues.
These omega-6 in tissues are transformed into pro-inflammatory eicosanoids (cytokines) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002944020303321
Aspirin blocks production of pro-inflammatory eicosanoids, which explains why it dampens inflammation and relieves pain.
Aspirin use is associated with about half the risk of ICU admission and death from Covid. https://journals.lww.com/anesthesia-analgesia/Abstract/9000/Aspirin_Use_is_Associated_with_Decreased.95423.aspx
Aspirin use is associated with about half the risk of ICU admission and death from Covid. https://journals.lww.com/anesthesia-analgesia/Abstract/9000/Aspirin_Use_is_Associated_with_Decreased.95423.aspx
Omega-3 fatty acids (from fish and fish oil) lead to production of anti-inflammatory cytokines.
A strong inverse trend exists between omega-3 blood levels and death from Covid. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0952327821000132
A strong inverse trend exists between omega-3 blood levels and death from Covid. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0952327821000132
Anti-inflammatory molecules called resolvins are made from omega-3 fatty acids
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https://www.jci.org/articles/view/97943
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https://www.jci.org/articles/view/97943
A clinical trial is underway to test whether giving omega-3 fatty acids is helpful in Covid disease. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2020.624657/full
"Physicians should measure their patients’ fatty acids and recommend decreasing the intake of foods rich in omega-6 fatty acids and increasing the intake of omega-3 fatty acids"
That means decreasing seed oil consumption and increasing fish consumption https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/513886
That means decreasing seed oil consumption and increasing fish consumption https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/513886
Cyclooxygenase activity is upregulated in aging. This is the enzyme that produces pro-inflammatory cytokines and which is blocked by aspirin.
Might explain some of the relation between aging and mortality. https://academic.oup.com/biomedgerontology/article/56/8/B350/578053?view=extract
Might explain some of the relation between aging and mortality. https://academic.oup.com/biomedgerontology/article/56/8/B350/578053?view=extract
Therefore, low or no consumption of seed oils and higher consumption of fish or fish oil may help protect against Covid, and may explain differences seen in susceptibility of patients and populations to Covid.
