Written from the studies on PubMed, searched on 11 Nov 2026. Every number below comes from a study listed under Sources.
The claim
Posts online say that omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) helps with long COVID and ME/CFS.
Where research stands
We found 10 published papers on omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) and long COVID and ME/CFS. They were published between 2002 and 2024. 3 of them are studies in people. 1 of them compared people who got it with a group that did not. None was a study in animals, and none was only in cells in the lab. 3 papers are reviews that sum up other studies.
- 3In people1 with a comparison group
- 0In animals
- 0Only in the lab
What the studies found
We have not summed up these studies in words yet. The most important papers are listed under Sources.
Verdict
Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) has been tested in randomised trials in people with long COVID and ME/CFS.
What this means for you: A study in people is not proof that it helps you. Do not stop or change your medicines because of it. Ask your doctor before you start taking it.
Sources
- The Feasibility of Omega-3 Supplementation Compared to Placebo in the Management of Long COVID Symptoms Among Healthcare Workers: A Randomized Controlled Trial.2024 · Cureus · Randomised trial
- Low omega-3 index and polyunsaturated fatty acid status in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis.2018 · Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids · Study in people
- In chronic fatigue syndrome, the decreased levels of omega-3 poly-unsaturated fatty acids are related to lowered serum zinc and defects in T cell activation.2005 · Neuro Endocrinol Lett · Study in people
- Long COVID and long chain fatty acids (LCFAs): Psychoneuroimmunity implication of omega-3 LCFAs in delayed consequences of COVID-19.2022 · Brain Behav Immun · Review
- Copy number variation, eicosapentaenoic acid and neurological disorders with particular reference to Huntington's disease and associated CAG repeats, and to myalgic encephalomyelitis and viral infection.2010 · World Rev Nutr Diet · Review
- The use of eicosapentaenoic acid in the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome.2004 · Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids · Review
- Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and the psychiatric post-acute sequelae of COVID-19: A one-year retrospective cohort analysis of 33,908 patients.2023 · Brain Behav Immun · Other paper
- Icosapent ethyl (VASCEPA®) as treatment for post-acute sequelae of SARS CoV-2 (PASC) vaccine induced injury and infection.2023 · J Complement Integr Med · Other paper
- Eicosapentaenoic acid-rich essential fatty acid supplementation in chronic fatigue syndrome associated with symptom remission and structural brain changes.2004 · Int J Clin Pract · Other paper
- Treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome by dietary supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids--a good idea?2002 · Med Hypotheses · Other paper
