How Omega-3 Supplements Could Aid Long COVID Recovery in Healthcare Workers: Insights from Recent Trials

August 26, 2025

If you told us back in 2020 that we’d still be talking about COVID-19 in 2024, we might not have believed you. But here we are. Not only is COVID still around, but now we’re looking at something called Long COVID.

Long COVID is sticking around, especially for the healthcare workers who’ve been on the front lines from the beginning. The good news? Omega-3s might help. Yep — those healthy fats you usually hear about for heart and brain health may also support recovery from Long COVID symptoms.

At Optimal Health Bridge, we believe in wellness that’s backed by science and easy to enjoy. So go grab a healthy snack (maybe some blueberries) and let’s take a look at what the newest research says about Omega-3s and how they might help healthcare workers feel better after COVID.

Understanding Long COVID

Let’s go over the basics. What is Long COVID?

Long COVID (also called post-acute COVID syndrome) means you still feel sick weeks or even months after having the virus. The CDC says it’s considered Long COVID when symptoms last more than four weeks. Sadly, many people are dealing with it.

Here are some common symptoms:

Feeling tired all the time
Brain fog (trouble thinking clearly)
Shortness of breath
Aches and pains in joints and muscles
Feeling anxious or sad
Trouble sleeping
Heart beating fast or feeling strange

These symptoms can show up in waves and be very different for each person. It’s frustrating and hard to predict.

Healthcare Workers and the Challenges of Long COVID

Healthcare workers have had it especially tough. Not only have they been exposed to COVID many times, but their jobs often don’t give them much time to rest and recover. They’ve been helping others while trying to heal themselves.

Here are some of the struggles healthcare workers face:

More risk of getting sick again due to constant exposure
Not enough time to recover before needing to go back to work
Feeling burned out and emotionally exhausted
Not always reporting symptoms because they want to stay on the job
Delays or trouble getting the care they need

That’s why we need something safe, easy to use, and backed by science to support these heroes. That’s where Omega-3s come in.

What Are Omega-3 Fatty Acids?

Omega-3s are healthy fats your body needs, but can’t make enough of by itself. Unless you eat a lot of fish, you probably don’t get enough. That’s why many people take supplements.

There are three main kinds of Omega-3s:

ALA – Found in plant foods like walnuts and flaxseed
EPA – Found in fatty fish, helps with heart and immune health
DHA – Also from fish, helps the brain, eyes, and nervous system

Omega-3s help the body by:

Fighting inflammation
Supporting heart and brain health
Helping with joint and muscle recovery
Strengthening the immune system

The best way to get them is through quality supplements like fish oil, krill oil, or plant-based algae oil. Just be sure to choose a brand you trust. (Hint: Optimal Health Bridge has great options!)

How Omega-3s May Help with Long COVID

So, what makes Omega-3s helpful for people with Long COVID? Let’s break it down:

Reduce Inflammation – They calm down the body’s inflammatory response, which is often high after COVID.
Protect the Heart – Long COVID can hurt the heart. Omega-3s help keep blood flowing and may lower the risk of clots.
Support the Brain – DHA helps brain cells stay healthy, and EPA may help with mood and memory.
Fight Fatigue – Omega-3s help your cells make energy more efficiently.
Balance the Immune System – They help your immune system stay active without overreacting, which is important after a virus.

What Clinical Studies Are Saying

Let’s look at what recent studies have found when it comes to Omega-3s and Long COVID:

UK Trial (2023): Showed less fatigue and muscle pain in people with Long COVID after 12 weeks of taking Omega-3s.
Harvard Study (2022): Found lower levels of inflammation in recovering COVID patients taking high doses of EPA and DHA.
Cognitive Study (2024): Focused on healthcare workers and showed better memory, focus, and mood after 8 weeks of Omega-3 supplements.
NIH Study (Ongoing): Early results show that Omega-3s reduce harmful inflammation markers after viral infections.
NCT Trials Registry: Several studies are testing Omega-3s for other post-viral illnesses too. More info is coming soon!

While more research is needed, these trials looked at different types of people and tracked things like fatigue, memory, and inflammation. The results are promising.

10 Ways Omega-3s Might Help with Long COVID

Here are ten possible health benefits for people dealing with Long COVID:

Lower inflammation in the body
Healthier heart function
Better focus and brain function
Less stress and worry
Improved sleep
Less joint and muscle pain
More energy
Balanced immune system
Healthier gut bacteria
Help for tired and stressed nerve cells

Omega-3s aren’t a cure-all, but they may be a helpful tool in feeling better, especially for healthcare workers.

Final Thoughts from Optimal Health Bridge

At Optimal Health Bridge, we believe in using nature and science to help people feel their best. That’s why we want to shine a light on Omega-3s — because they may help support healthcare workers and others facing Long COVID.

If you or someone you care about is still feeling the effects of COVID, here are a few simple tips: