Since the first wave of COVID-19 in 2020, researchers have raced to unravel the virus’ mysteries. One surprising discovery points to galectin-3, a usually benign protein our bodies produce, as an accomplice in exacerbating and prolonging the disease’s symptoms.
Galectin-3 fuels out-of-control inflammation, enabling the virus to evade the body’s defenses.
What Is Galectin-3 and Why Does It Matter?
First discovered in 1971, galectin-3 is a protein that regulates inflammation and binds to pathogens. It helps the body’s immune system respond to threats. However, galectin-3 often overreacts, causing excessive inflammation, especially in diseases like cancer, heart disease, and autoimmune disorders.Researchers don’t fully understand why galectin-3 spikes when the body is under attack. But they see its overabundance as an immune dysfunction marker that prolongs illness.
Inhibiting Galectin-3 May Help Against COVID-19
Researchers theorized that galectin-3 levels rise with COVID-19 onset, prompting a study to explore its potential as a disease severity marker. In the 2023 Scientific Reports publication, 280 patients were categorized by severity—into mild, moderate, severe, and critical groups. As expected, critical patients exhibited markedly elevated galectin-3 and other inflammatory cells compared to milder cases.
“Studies have shown that depending on the stage of COVID-19 infection in patients, cytokine inhibition is one of the most effective therapeutic methods,” Frederick Odun-Ayo, who holds a doctorate in biotechnology and is a biochemist researching galectin-3, told The Epoch Times.
Cytokines are vital proteins that regulate the growth and functions of the immune system and blood cells. Galectin-3 spurs cytokines, which can cause excessive damage as a result of fighting COVID-19, Mr. Odun-Ayo said. Regulating cytokines through galectin-3 inhibition should be a priority, he noted.
Ways to Reduce Galectin-3 Levels
Though critical, galectin-3’s overproduction perpetuates disease—from COVID-19 to cancer. One study published in the Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine found meditation and music reduced galectin-3 in patients who had previously experienced a heart attack.While some factors like age cannot be altered, unhealthy lifestyle factors like poor diet, stress, and poor sleep habits adversely impact galectin-3 levels linked to cardiovascular and fibrotic diseases, according to Mr. Odun-Ayo. Increasing dietary fiber intake helps reduce the risk of developing diseases caused by galectin-3. Keeping healthy lifestyle habits helps restore balance to the body’s internal inflammatory response and reduce chronic inflammation that damages health, he added.
