The role of cod liver oil in the fight against Covid-19 intrigues Norwegian researchers

10:32 14.11.2020(updated 10:33 11/14/2020) Short URL

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After finding that people who consume cod liver oil were less likely to contract Covid-19, researchers from Oslo University Hospital launched a study on the benefits of cod liver oil for protecting the body against respiratory infections.

While a study has established a vitamin D deficiency in 80% of Covid-19 patients in a Spanish hospital, Norway is studying the benefits of cod liver oil, rich in this vitamin, to fight the virus.

“Preliminary data from our ongoing Covid-19 study (” Koronastudien “) suggests that cod liver oil consumers may have a reduced risk of Covid-19 and a lower risk of serious disease if infected says scientist Arne Saraas. physician of the microbiology department of Oslo University Hospital.

Norwegian researchers are wondering about the exact roles that this vitamin D and omega-3 rich food plays in protecting against respiratory infections, as well as other possible factors.

They assume that cod liver oil consumers have other protective characteristics in their world of life. “To find out whether cod liver oil itself really offers protection against Covid-19, a properly designed randomized trial is needed,” Saraas concludes.

The study, which will involve 70,000 volunteers, will last two years. This is one of the largest studies done in the country, the hospital says on its website.

Help the body defend itself

French doctors are prescribing more and more vitamin D, indicates a pharmacist quoted by France Info.

“It serves to stimulate the immune system, thus allowing the body to defend itself when there is an intruder,” he explains. Food can act both in case of coronavirus and in case of flu or cold.