The Importance of Maintaining a Low Omega-6/Omega-3 Ratio for Reducing the Risk of Inflammatory Cytokine Storms.
James J. DiNicolantonio, James H. O’Keefe
Abstract
Inflammatory cytokine storms in the lungs are a potential consequence of RNA viruses. One issue that may increase the risk of developing inflammatory cytokine storms in the lungs during viral infections is an imbalance in the dietary omega-6/3 ratio. Indeed, over the past 100 years the omega-6/3 ratio in the Western world has increased from approximately 4:1 to 20:1. This has increased the production of pro-inflammatory metabolites from omega-6 and reduced the anti-inflammatory metabolites from omega-3s. A high dietary omega-6/3 ratio may promote excessive inflammation, which may be contributing to inflammatory cytokine storms in the lungs during viral infections.
Topics & Concepts
Cytokine stormOmegaCytokineInflammationImmunologyMedicineInterleukin 6Internal medicineCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)PhysicsDiseaseInfectious disease (medical specialty)Quantum mechanicsFatty Acid Research and HealthDiet, Metabolism, and DiseaseEicosanoids and Hypertension Pharmacology