The oil most commonly found on the market today has been refined to remove what are known as free fatty acids. Before this refining process became standard practice, fish oil contained free fatty acids in notable quantities. Omega Cold fish oil, used in this study, is a refined fish oil similar to those most commonly available on the market today, but resembles traditional fish oil in that it contains free fatty acids (2%). Studies commissioned by Lipid Pharmaceuticals Ltd. in the United States showed that small amounts of these fatty acids in test tubes killed the viruses responsible for COVID-19 and the common cold. This study is the first step in investigating whether fish oil containing free fatty acids can inhibit the progression of these viruses in humans. The study therefore aims to compare two groups of people with regard to colds and other respiratory infections — those taking Omega Cold fish oil and those taking vegetable oil instead. The vegetable oil used in the study is refined sunflower oil with a high proportion of omega-9 fatty acids. Both the fish oil and the vegetable oil will be lemon-flavoured.
Investigators
The study is conducted under the auspices of the University of Iceland and Lipid Pharmaceuticals Ltd., and is funded by the Technology Development Fund. Matís is responsible for carrying out the study. The principal investigator is Magnús Gottfreðsson, specialist in infectious diseases and Professor at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland.
What does participation involve? Please note that the survey is only conducted in Icelandic.
Eligibility criteria for participation are the ability to take lemon-flavoured fish oil, being between 18 and 80 years of age, and being in generally good health.
- All participants will be asked to record health information relating to cold and flu symptoms on a weekly basis for just over four months, using brief questionnaires.
- Participants will be divided into two equal groups. One group will receive Omega Cold fish oil to be taken twice daily for just over four months. The other group will receive vegetable oil to be taken in the same manner.
- Participants will not be asked to change anything else in their diet or behaviour other than taking the oil and recording their health information.
Further details on the conduct of the study
The study is scheduled to begin in November. At the start of the study, all participants will be asked to complete a questionnaire covering general health and wellbeing, medical history, medication use, dietary supplement intake, diet, oral and dental health, physical activity, tobacco and alcohol use, social behaviour, general health and infection prevention, as well as questions on gender, age, number and age of children, employment and education.
Participants will be divided into two equal groups. One group will receive Omega Cold fish oil to be taken twice daily for just over four months, one spoonful (5 to 7 ml) each time. The other group serves as a control group and will take vegetable oil in the same manner in place of the fish oil. Participants will not be informed which group they belong to, but will be notified once the study results have been processed. Participants will not be asked to change anything else in their diet or behaviour other than taking the oil and recording their health information. Those who regularly take conventional fish oil or other dietary supplements are encouraged to continue doing so, in addition to taking the oil for the study.
During the study, participants will receive a weekly link to a very brief questionnaire to record health information relating to cold and flu symptoms.
At the end of the study, participants will be sent a questionnaire about their experience of using the oil, along with a few closing questions (repeated from the initial questionnaire). The SurveyMonkey platform will be used to run the surveys and record the data.
No risk is considered to be associated with participation in the study, as the oil in question is intended for human consumption; however, increased oil intake may cause digestive discomfort in some individuals.
Participants who complete the study will receive a 15,000 ISK gift voucher as a token of appreciation.
The study has been approved by the National Bioethics Committee. Neither the names of participants nor any other personally identifiable information will appear in the interpretation of results, reports, articles or any other material relating to the study. Data processing will be conducted in accordance with legislation on data protection and the processing of personal data. Participants may withdraw from the study at any time and without explanation while the study is ongoing.