Nov 3rd 2025

EPA, DHA, and Cytokine Storm

A recently published Opinion Article suggests that the omega-3 fatty acids EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) may have an important role to play in preventing or at least managing the so-called “cytokine storm” that has caused the deaths of many COVID-19 patients. The authors say that supplementing with these two omega-3 fatty acids should be "considered as both a supportive therapy and a prevention strategy" in patients infected with the virus.

Cytokines are protein messengers in the body that initiate and regulate the immune system’s response to an attack, including its inflammatory response. Inflammation is used to kill invading pathogens, but if it isn’t well-regulated, it can do serious damage to healthy cells and tissues as well. This is exactly what happens in “cytokine storm.” Cytokine storm is like an out-of-control hurricane destroying everything in its path. Many COVID-19 patients have died not from the virus itself but from this out-of-control inflammatory response to the virus.

In previous studies, EPA and DHA have been shown to exert a calming effect on key elements of the inflammatory response. Also, it’s well established that EPA and DHA lower triglycerides, and it’s been shown that lower triglyceride levels present a lower risk of developing cytokine storm.

The Opinion Article indicates that it would be good to arm ourselves with sufficient EPA and DHA as part of our COVID-19 defense strategy.

There are three main forms of omega-3s that we need in our diet or supplements: EPA, DHA, and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). All three provide slightly different benefits to our health, although all three have anti-inflammatory effects. Theoretically, ALA, which is the main omega-3 found in plant sources like flax oil, can be converted in our bodies to EPA and DHA. However, many factors hinder this conversion, making it negligible for most people. On the other hand, EPA and DHA are abundant in marine sources such as fatty fish or krill. So it’s good to include both flaxseed or flax oil and fish or fish oil in your diet. For strict vegans, it’s possible to find EPA and DHA from algae.

Also, whenever you supplement with omega-3s, you should supplement with vitamin E. Omega-3s are very delicate and easily oxidized, rendering them not only ineffective but toxic. Vitamin E protects them from oxidizing inside your body.

A test that can be used to determine your omega-3 levels is the Omega-3 Index Complete Test, available from Great Plains Laboratory. This test measures the percentages of the different fatty acids in your red blood cells, which is a good indication of levels throughout your body tissues. A percentage of omega-3 below 4% has been associated with a high risk of disease; a percentage below 8% with an intermediate risk of disease; and a percentage of 8% or more with low risk.

So achieving a level of 8% or more would indicate successful coverage of this important aspect of immune competence.

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