Omega-3s May Be Potentially Helpful in Fighting Influenza

(Newswire.net — August 4, 2017) Orlando, FL — The viral infection called influenza typically affects the throat, nose, and lungs. There are medications used to help individuals who suffer from the condition. However, there are also natural alternatives, such as fish oil, that are believed to help fight the condition.

Omega-3s may be potentially helpful in fighting influenza infections. An influenza infection can last for a week, and is characterized by aching muscles, high fever, severe malaise, rhinitis, sore throat, and non-productive cough. It can be transmitted through coughing or sneezing. In seasonal epidemics, it can rapidly spread from one person to another.

“Omega-3s can be obtained through eating fish or supplementation,” said VitaBreeze Supplements spokesperson, Michelle O’Sullivan.

There are fish types that contain high levels of omega-3 fats, including mackerel, herring, tuna, halibut, and sardines. There are many individuals who prefer to consume these healthy fats through supplementation. These healthy fats are believed to help fight a range of medical conditions.

Research reveals that the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) have helped prevent the deaths of the mice infected with influenza. According to the researchers, fish oil could be a potential alternative in fighting the flu and may reduce the mortality risk associated with it.

The study also added that these healthy fatty acids could be a potentially effective natural flu alternative. The researchers believe this finding could be a medical breakthrough considering that the antiviral drugs nowadays do not have the capacity to protect the most severely ill sufferers.

In the study, the researchers revealed that mice with influenza were spared from death, even those with the advanced stages of the condition. Flu can cause headache, sudden high temperature, exhaustion, sore throat, and pains. It can even trigger the development of bacterial chest infection and pneumonia, which is a life-threatening condition.

Researchers have attempted to explore more effective treatments for influenza, and it includes the lipids from the omega-3 fatty acids. It was found that the lipids have helped prevent the replication of viruses such as bird flu. Further tests even revealed that the survival rates of the mice increased when the lipids were combined with an antiviral drug.

The influenza virus, despite the wide availability of antiviral drugs and vaccines, continues to be a major cause of mortality worldwide. One of the best benefits of using omega-3 fats is that this natural alternative is also believed to provide a myriad of health benefits.

Fish oil supplementation has been increasingly popular over the years. Many people prefer to take omega-3 fats through supplementation mainly because it is believed to contain less environmental pollutants such as mercury as opposed to when consuming commercially available fish products.

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