Essential Fatty Acids, Immunity and Viral Infections

Abstract

There is evidence of a close interrelationship between essential fatty acid (EFA) metabolism and the ability to respond to viral infections. EFAs are required to enable interferon to exert its antiviral effects. Viral infections both in vivo and in vitro induce abnormalities of EFA metabolism. Patients with atopic eczema who are highly susceptible to viral infections have reduced levels of 6-desaturated EFAs. In a placebo-controlled study in post-viral fatigue syndrome EFA supplementation with n-3 and n-6 EFAs has been found effective in reversing the plasma EFA abnormalities and treating the clinical state. These observations suggest that normal EFA metabolism is of major importance in regulating the response to viral infections.