Hormonal
Individuals with the FADS haplotype D (high-efficiency LC-PUFA biosynthesis) face increased susceptibility to severe COVID-19 when consuming a modern diet high in omega-6 fatty acids, due to the resulting proinflammatory state and cytokine storm.
If you have a family history of high inflammation or belong to a group with higher prevalence of FADS haplotype D (often correlated with African or Hispanic ancestry), prioritize balancing your fatty acid intake. Reduce oils high in omega-6 (corn, soybean, sunflower) and increase omega-3 sources (fish, flax, walnuts) to lower the risk of severe inflammatory responses to infections like COVID-19.
Because the US diet is already high in omega-6 fatty acids, the increased biosynthesis of ARA in people with the derived FADS haplotype (haplotype D) leads to an increased production of leukotrienes, thromboxanes, C-reactive protein (CRP), and eventually elevated levels of cytokines, like interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF), which may increase susceptibility to COVID-19.
Why this rating
The paper is a commentary/editorial synthesizing existing literature rather than presenting new primary clinical trial data.
Source
Genetic Variation, Diet, Inflammation, and the Risk for COVID-19
Artemis P. Simopoulos · Lifestyle Genomics · 2021
DOI 10.1159/000513886
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