scholarly journals A Narrative Review of the Safety of Anti-COVID-19 Nutraceuticals for Patients with Cancer

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (23) ◽  
pp. 6094
Author(s):  
Karlen Stade Bader-Larsen ◽  
Elisabeth Anne Larson ◽  
Maria Dalamaga ◽  
Faidon Magkos
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Vitamin D ◽  
Vitamin C ◽  
Narrative Review ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Healthcare Team ◽  
Omega 3 Fatty Acids ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Pubmed Database

Interest in dietary supplements and their efficacy in treating and preventing disease has increased greatly since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the risk of severe COVID-19 in patients with cancer, we conducted a narrative review aiming to better understand the data on the safety of the most efficacious “anti-COVID-19” nutraceuticals for patients with cancer. We conducted a PubMed database search aimed at identifying the most effective nutrients for use against COVID-19. For the identified nutraceuticals, we searched PubMed again regarding their safety for patients with cancer. Fifty-four total records (52 independent studies) were retrieved, pertaining to vitamin D, vitamin C, selenium, omega-3 fatty acids, and zinc. Vitamin D results from 23 articles indicated safe use, but two articles indicated potential harm. All 14 articles for vitamin C and five out of six articles for selenium indicated the safety of use (one study for selenium suggested harm with high-dose supplementation). Results for omega-3 fatty acids (seven articles) and zinc (one article), however, were rather mixed regarding safety. We conclude that vitamin D, vitamin C, and selenium supplements are likely safe or even beneficial at typically recommended doses; however, caution is urged with omega-3 fatty acid supplements, and zinc supplements should likely be avoided. More experimental research is needed, and nutraceutical use by patients with cancer should always be under the supervision of a healthcare team.

scholarly journals Modest effects of dietary supplements during the COVID-19 pandemic: insights from 445 850 users of the COVID-19 Symptom Study app

2021 ◽  
pp. bmjnph-2021-000250
Author(s):  
Panayiotis Louca ◽  
Benjamin Murray ◽  
Kerstin Klaser ◽  
Mark S Graham ◽  
Mohsen Mazidi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Vitamin D ◽  
Vitamin C ◽  
Dietary Supplements ◽  
Lower Risk ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Omega 3 Fatty Acids ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Randomised Controlled

ObjectivesDietary supplements may ameliorate SARS-CoV-2 infection, although scientific evidence to support such a role is lacking. We investigated whether users of the COVID-19 Symptom Study app who regularly took dietary supplements were less likely to test positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection.DesignApp-based community survey.Setting445 850 subscribers of an app that was launched to enable self-reported information related to SARS-CoV-2 infection for use in the general population in the UK (n=372 720), the USA (n=45 757) and Sweden (n=27 373).Main exposureSelf-reported regular dietary supplement usage (constant use during previous 3 months) in the first waves of the pandemic up to 31 July 2020.Main outcome measuresSARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed by viral RNA reverse transcriptase PCR test or serology test before 31 July 2020.ResultsIn 372 720 UK participants (175 652 supplement users and 197 068 non-users), those taking probiotics, omega-3 fatty acids, multivitamins or vitamin D had a lower risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection by 14% (95% CI (8% to 19%)), 12% (95% CI (8% to 16%)), 13% (95% CI (10% to 16%)) and 9% (95% CI (6% to 12%)), respectively, after adjusting for potential confounders. No effect was observed for those taking vitamin C, zinc or garlic supplements. On stratification by sex, age and body mass index (BMI), the protective associations in individuals taking probiotics, omega-3 fatty acids, multivitamins and vitamin D were observed in females across all ages and BMI groups, but were not seen in men. The same overall pattern of association was observed in both the US and Swedish cohorts.ConclusionIn women, we observed a modest but significant association between use of probiotics, omega-3 fatty acid, multivitamin or vitamin D supplements and lower risk of testing positive for SARS-CoV-2. We found no clear benefits for men nor any effect of vitamin C, garlic or zinc. Randomised controlled trials are required to confirm these observational findings before any therapeutic recommendations can be made.

scholarly journals Dietary supplements during the COVID-19 pandemic: insights from 1.4M users of the COVID Symptom Study app - a longitudinal app-based community survey

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Panayiotis Louca ◽  
Benjamin Murray ◽  
Kerstin Klaser ◽  
Mark S Graham ◽  
Mohsen Mazidi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Vitamin D ◽  
Vitamin C ◽  
Dietary Supplements ◽  
Lower Risk ◽  
Community Survey ◽  
Polymerase Chain Reaction Test ◽  
Omega 3 Fatty Acids ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
New Onset

AbstractObjectivesDietary supplements may provide nutrients of relevance to ameliorate SARS-CoV-2 infection, although scientific evidence to support a role is lacking. We investigate whether the regular use of dietary supplements can reduce the risk of testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection in around 1.4M users of the COVID Symptom Study App who completed a supplement use questionnaire.DesignLongitudinal app-based community survey and nested case control study.SettingSubscribers to an app that was launched to enable self-reported information related to SARS-CoV-2 infection for use in the general population in three countries.Main ExposureSelf-reported regular dietary supplement usage since the beginning of the pandemic.Main Outcome MeasuresSARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed by viral RNA polymerase chain reaction test (RT-PCR) or serology test. A secondary outcome was new-onset anosmia.ResultsIn an analysis including 327,720 UK participants, the use of probiotics, omega-3 fatty acids, multivitamins or vitamin D was associated with a lower risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection by 14%(95%CI: [8%,19%]), 12%(95%CI: [8%,16%]), 13%(95%CI: [10%,16%]) and 9%(95%CI: [6%,12%]), respectively, after adjusting for potential confounders. No effect was observed for vitamin C, zinc or garlic supplements. When analyses were stratified by sex, age and body mass index (BMI), the protective associations for probiotics, omega-3 fatty acids, multivitamins and vitamin D were observed in females across all ages and BMI groups, but were not seen in men. The same overall pattern of association was observed in both the US and Swedish cohorts. Results were further confirmed in a sub-analysis of 993,365 regular app users who were not tested for SARS-CoV-2 with cases (n= 126,556) defined as those with new onset anosmia (the strongest COVID-19 predictor).ConclusionWe observed a modest but significant association between use of probiotics, omega-3 fatty acid, multivitamin or vitamin D supplements and lower risk of testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 in women. No clear benefits for men were observed nor any effect of vitamin C, garlic or zinc for men or women. Randomised controlled trials of selected supplements would be required to confirm these observational findings before any therapeutic recommendations can be made.

scholarly journals Critical Differences Between Dietary Supplement and Prescription Omega-3 Fatty Acids: A Narrative Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 656-670 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel E. Hilleman ◽  
Barbara S. Wiggins ◽  
Michael B. Bottorff
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Dietary Supplement ◽  
Narrative Review ◽  
Omega 3 Fatty Acids ◽  
Omega 3

scholarly journals Dose-response effects of omega-3 on platelet aggregation: an observational study

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (12) ◽  
pp. 5074-5082 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Kander ◽  
Erik Lindblom ◽  
Ulf Schött
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Platelet Aggregation ◽  
Healthy Volunteers ◽  
Dose Response ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Omega 3 Fatty Acids ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Positive Health ◽  
Inhibiting Effect

Objective This study aimed to evaluate the dose-response effects of supplemental omega-3 fatty acids on platelet function in healthy volunteers. Methods Twelve healthy volunteers ingested a normal supplemental dose of 1260 mg omega-3 fatty acids daily for 5 days, followed by a high dose of 2520 mg daily for another 5 days. Multiple electrode aggregometry (MEA) with four different agonists was used to measure platelet aggregation before and after the normal- and high-dose regimes. In vitro spiking using physiological doses of omega-3 fatty acids was also performed to determine whether MEA is capable of detecting a platelet-inhibiting effect due to omega-3 fatty acids. Results There were no differences in platelet aggregation measured by the MEA assay in healthy volunteers after intake of either the normal or high dose of omega-3 fatty acids. In the in vitro experiment, a platelet-inhibiting effect of omega-3 fatty acids was shown by an arachidonic acid agonist in MEA . Conclusions Supplemental omega-3 fatty acids do not evoke their positive health effects through inhibition of platelet aggregation measurable with MEA.

scholarly journals Modulation of Breast Cancer Risk Biomarkers by High-Dose Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Phase II Pilot Study in Premenopausal Women

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 912-921 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carol J. Fabian ◽  
Bruce F. Kimler ◽  
Teresa A. Phillips ◽  
Jessica A. Box ◽  
Amy L. Kreutzjans ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Breast Cancer Risk ◽  
Cancer Risk ◽  
Premenopausal Women ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Omega 3 Fatty Acids ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Risk Biomarkers

Gastrointestinal Bleeding After High Intake of Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Cortisone and Antibiotic Therapy: A Case Study

2014 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 253-257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paraskevi Detopoulou ◽  
Vasilios Papamikos
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Previous History ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Present Observation ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Omega 3 Fatty Acids ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Animal Data ◽  
Gastrointestinal Problems ◽  
Amateur Athlete

Omega-3 fatty acids exert a plethora of physiological actions including triglycerides lowering, reduction of inflammatory indices, immunomodulation, anti- thrombotic effects and possibly promotion of exercise performance. Their use is widespread and for commonly ingested doses their side- effects are minimal. We report a case of a 60y amateur athlete who consumed about 20 g omega-3 fatty acids daily from supplements and natural sources for a year. After the intake of cortisone and antibiotics he presented duodenum ulcer and bleeding although he had no previous history of gastrointestinal problems. Although several animal data support gastro-protective effects of omega-3 fatty acids in the present case they were not able to prevent ulcer generation. The present observation may be explained by (i) the high dose of omega-3 fatty acids and their effect on bleeding, (ii) the fact that cortisone increases their oxidation and may render them proinflammatory, (iii) other antithrombotic microconstituents included in the consumed cod-oil and/or the diet of the subject and (iv) the differences in the coagulation and fibrinolytic systems of well- trained subjects. Further studies are needed to substantiate any possible interaction of cortisone and omega-3 fatty acids in wide ranges of intake.

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