Effectiveness of Cod-Derived Omega Oil Enriched With Free Fatty Acids Against the Common Cold and Other Respiratory Infections in Healthy Icelandic Adults During the Influenza Season

The purpose of the Omega Cold fish oil study is to determine whether fish oil enriched with free fatty acids affects people's susceptibility to viral infections, such as colds, flu or COVID, and the illnesses caused by such infections.

Free fatty acids are present in untreated fish oil. However, the fish oil most commonly on the market today has been purified of free fatty acids. Omega Cold fish oil is purified fish oil with added free fatty acids in 2% concentration. This study is the first step in investigating whether fish oil with free fatty acids affects how often people get sick from viral infections, and whether consuming the fish oil affects the progression of the illness.

Participants in the study are recruited by sending an email to Matís' consumer list and through advertisements on social media. The conditions for participation are to be between the ages of 18-80 and in generally good health. The aim is for 400 people to participate in the study - 100 in the winter of 2025 - 2026 and 300 in the winter of 2026 - 2027.

The participants will be divided into two equal groups. One group will receive Omega Cold fish oil to take twice a day for four months. The other group is a placebo group and will receive vegetable oil to take in the same way. Participants will not be asked to change anything else in their consumption or behavior. All participants will be asked to record information about their health with regard to cold and flu symptoms weekly during the time they take the oil using short questionnaires.