January 2021 - Dr. Rath Research Institute

As COVID-19 continues people turn to using various dietary supplements to support their immune system. Omega-3 is one such candidate that has multifaceted health benefits. Well known for its benefits in memory boosting and learning, omega-3 fatty acids are important in optimum function of the nervous, cardiovascular, immune, and respiratory systems.


Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fatty acids and are considered “essential fatty acids” because humans cannot produce them in the body. They are needed for optimum absorption of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K and help to maintain the structure and integrity of cellular membranes.

More than a year after the emergence of COVID-19 the world is still at a standstill facing rapid spread and new mutations of SARS-CoV-2. Many countries are struggling to have any grip on this pandemic and dealing with scarcity of new vaccines. Despite implementing preventive measures like hand washing, masks, and social distancing, the daily infections and deaths attributed to COVID-19 continue to rise.

Worldwide, 2.2 million people died of this infection with upwards of 104 million COVID-19 cases. Drastic lockdowns threw millions of people into extreme poverty, hunger, and malnutrition, and due to lack of access to nutritious food, more people have compromised immunity, thus increased susceptibility to infections. Although pharmaceutical companies are racing to produce drugs and anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines became available, their efficacy is now being questioned with rapidly mutating coronavirus variants. It is a well-known fact that people with pre-existing conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer have impaired immunity and are prone to serious complications from COVID-19. In this critical situation, several clinical trials have been conducted with vitamin C and other nutrients in COVID-19 patients, some with promising results. Health care providers also turned to natural approaches to improve immunity and curb the spread of infections.