Excessive amounts of saturated fatty acids, or SFAs, cause prolonged activation of innate immune system and inhibit adaptive immune system through creating a lipotoxic state. SFAs weaken defense mechanisms against COVID-19 by inducing chronic inflammation and severely impairing host defense.


Kenyon College

University of California, Davis

Due to the high amounts of saturated fats, sugars, and refined carbohydrates in Western Diets, people can develop chronic inflammation and weakened defense mechanisms. This leads to an impaired immune system which makes people more susceptible to severe COVID-19 pathology and death.

Effects of Western Diet on Immune System against COVID-19

Butler, M. J., & Barrientos, R. M. (2020). The impact of nutrition on COVID-19 susceptibility and long-term consequences. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 87, 53-54. doi:10.1016/j.bbi.2020.04.040

The impact of nutrition on COVID-19 susceptibility and long-term consequences

Effects of SFAs on Immune System

Consumption of a high fat diet (HFD) in mice increased the number of macrophages in lung tissues, especially the alveoli, implying inflammation. Since large number of COVID-19 patients develop infection in alveolar epithelial cells, lung inflammation only aggravates COVID-19 pathology.

Evidence of Western Diet Impact on Lungs

Western diets are highly associated with Type 2 Diabetes and obesity, putting those at risk of COVID-19 complications.
Hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia are also products of Western diets and are linked to inflammation, metabolic complications, and chronic disease.
Hyperglycemia is a risk factor of high mortality from COVID-19 infection as well as increased asthma risk in children.

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