December 12, 2024
Home » Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Immunonutrition, COVID-19, and Obesity.

The cytokine storm present in COVID-19 in obese patients (and normal-weight patients) develops acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This syndrome is characterized by a severe hypoxic respiratory failure due to an exacerbated inflammatory reaction and can lead to multi-organ dysfunction. Indeed, this is the battle we fight every day in the hospitals. Unfortunately, up to date, there are no effective pharmacotherapies to diminish the disease progress of ARDS, leading to prolonged intrahospital stay and invasive mechanical ventilation. However, preventive and counteracting strategies can apply to the ARDS care setting. The immunomodulatory effects of omega-3 fatty acids can substantially reduce mortality and improve oxygenation by suppressing the synthesis of pro-inflammatory eicosanoids. Once again, preventive use of immunonutrition reduces the detrimental effects of COVID-19 in obese patients.

ARDS:

The presence of ARDS affects the lung epithelial and endothelial function leading to alveolar-capillary permeability and pulmonary edema. A lot of things have changed since the first clinical description of ARDS in 1967. Nowadays, the “Berlin Definition” set by an expert consensus created this criterion:

  1. Onset within seven days of a known clinical insult.
  2. Bilateral opacities on chest imaging.
  3. PaOâ‚‚/FiOâ‚‚ ratio is less than 300 mmHg.
  4. Hypoxaemia is not fully explained by cardiac failure or fluid overload.

Immunonutrition: Omega-3 fatty acids.

In a disease context, our body produces an excess of reactive oxygen species. If we add to this equation the pro-inflammatory cytokines synthesized by the excessive fat content, we create a pro-oxidant and pro-inflammatory environment. Consequently, the pharmaconutrients used by immunonutrition act to counteract this environment by promoting anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant reactions. Indeed, Omega-3 fatty acids can enable both of these protective effects.

As a preventive measure, the intake of omega-3 fatty acids by its primary dietary source, fish, can promote an anti-inflammatory milieu by promoting the synthesis of resolvins and protectins. Resolvins, protectins, and maresins are known as specialized pro-resolvins mediators. Current research shows that these molecules, combined with other immune mediators, improve the cytokine storm associated with ARDS.

Resolvins, Inflammatory Response, Immune cells, and Mobility:

An acute inflammatory response is crucial for initial protection against pathogens and injury. As a member of first responders to a provocative call, neutrophils can phagocytize microbes and eliminate cellular debris. However, this reaction can potentially damage cellular tissue exacerbating the inflammatory response and creating low-grade inflammation. This reaction happens when neutrophils (polymorphonuclear leukocytes PMNs) congregate in tissues and release antimicrobial factors due to frustrated phagocytosis or cell death. Consequently, this “unnecessary roughness” leads to tissue damage. Therefore, the resolution of the first acute inflammatory response is essential to prevent chronic diseases.

A healthy nutritional status associates with a self-limited acute inflammatory response that will resolve on its own. Furthermore, this resolution depends on lipoxins that serve as “stop” signals for the inflammatory response.

To link it all together, resolvins, protectins, and maresins can reduce osteoarthritic pain, particularly At-TvD1. Therefore, the supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids and the dietary intake of fish coincide with elevated levels of SPMs in plasma. In turn, increased levels of resolvins have a tight association with lower levels of RA- associated pain and inflammatory markers. Also, this coincides with an increase in mobility by lowering baseline pain and reduced the risk of infection.

The use of omega-3 fatty acids in immunonutrition has direct causation with reduced intrahospital stay and a lower risk of infections. However, in the context of two global epidemics with interacting complications founded on low-grade inflammation, what can immunonutrition do to help? The main related protective effect of immunonutrition and omega-3 fatty acids is their ability to increase protectin levels. In turn, this production of protectins creates an overlap of benefits by reducing pain and improving mobility, which translates to more muscle and less fatty tissue. Also, this improvement in mobility reflects in less intrahospital stay, lower risk of infection, fewer costs, and less adipose-associated inflammation. Bottom line: eat your fish, take your omega-3, and exercise! – Ana Paola Rodríguez Arciniega, MS

References:

Dushianthan, Ahilanandan et al. “Immunonutrition for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in adults.” The Cochrane database of systematic reviews vol. 1,1 CD012041. 24 Jan. 2019, doi:10.1002/14651858.CD012041.pub2

Di Renzo, Laura et al. “COVID-19: Is there a role for immunonutrition in obese patient?.” Journal of translational medicine vol. 18,1 415. 7 Nov. 2020, doi:10.1186/s12967-020-02594-4

Serhan, C. N., & Levy, B. D. (2018). Resolvins in inflammation: the emergence of the pro-resolving superfamily of mediators. The Journal of clinical investigation, 128(7), 2657–2669. doi.org/10.1172/JCI97943

Additional Online Links & Resources (Available 24/7)

 

Online Appointments or Consultations: bit.ly/Book-Online-Appointment

 

Online Physical Injury / Accident Intake Form: bit.ly/Fill-Out-Your-Online-History 

 

Online Functional Medicine Assessment: bit.ly/functionmed

General Disclaimer

Professional Scope of Practice *

The information herein on "Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Immunonutrition, COVID-19, and Obesity." is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.

Blog Information & Scope Discussions

Our information scope is limited to Chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, contributing etiological viscerosomatic disturbances within clinical presentations, associated somatovisceral reflex clinical dynamics, subluxation complexes, sensitive health issues, and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.

We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system.

Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and directly or indirectly support our clinical scope of practice.*

Our office has reasonably attempted to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request.

We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, or contact us at 915-850-0900.

We are here to help you and your family.

Blessings

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN*, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*

email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com

Licensed as a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) in Texas & New Mexico*
Texas DC License # TX5807, New Mexico DC License # NM-DC2182

Licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN*) in Florida
Florida License RN License # RN9617241 (Control No. 3558029)
Compact Status: Multi-State License: Authorized to Practice in 40 States*
Presently Matriculated: ICHS: MSN* FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner Program)

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN* CIFM*, IFMCP*, ATN*, CCST
My Digital Business Card

Dr. Alex Jimenez

Specialties: Stopping the PAIN! We Specialize in Treating Severe Sciatica, Neck-Back Pain, Whiplash, Headaches, Knee Injuries, Sports Injuries, Dizziness, Poor Sleep, Arthritis. We use advanced proven therapies focused on optimal Mobility, Posture Control, Deep Health Instruction, Integrative & Functional Medicine, Functional Fitness, Chronic Degenerative Disorder Treatment Protocols, and Structural Conditioning. We also integrate Wellness Nutrition, Wellness Detoxification Protocols, and Functional Medicine for chronic musculoskeletal disorders. In addition, we use effective "Patient Focused Diet Plans," Specialized Chiropractic Techniques, Mobility-Agility Training, Cross-Fit Protocols, and the Premier "PUSH Functional Fitness System" to treat patients suffering from various injuries and health problems.
Ultimately, I am here to serve my patients and community as a Chiropractor, passionately restoring functional life and facilitating living through increased mobility.

Purpose & Passions:
I am a Doctor of Chiropractic specializing in progressive, cutting-edge therapies and functional rehabilitation procedures focused on clinical physiology, total health, functional strength training, functional medicine, and complete conditioning. In addition, we focus on restoring normal body functions after neck, back, spinal and soft tissue injuries.

We use Specialized Chiropractic Protocols, Wellness Programs, Functional & Integrative Nutrition, Agility & Mobility Fitness Training, and Cross-Fit Rehabilitation Systems for all ages.

As an extension to dynamic rehabilitation, we offer our patients, disabled veterans, athletes, young and elder a diverse portfolio of strength equipment, high-performance exercises, and advanced agility treatment options. In addition, we have teamed up with the cities premier doctors, therapists, and trainers to provide high-level competitive athletes the options to push themselves to their highest abilities within our facilities.

We've been blessed to use our methods with thousands of El Pasoans over the last 3 decades allowing us to restore our patients' health and fitness while implementing researched non-surgical methods and functional wellness programs.

Our programs are natural and use the body's ability to achieve specific measured goals, rather than introducing harmful chemicals, controversial hormone replacement, unwanted surgeries, or addictive drugs. As a result, please live a functional life that is fulfilled with more energy, a positive attitude, better sleep, and less pain. Our goal is to ultimately empower our patients to maintain the healthiest way of living.

With a bit of work, we can achieve optimal health together, regardless of age, ability, or disability.

View all posts
Certified Functional Medicine Doctor El Paso