Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Cancer Risk

Abstract

TUDIES SHOW THAT TISSUE LEVels of arachadonic acid-and eicosopentaenoic acid (EPA)derived eicosanoids influence many physiological processes, including calcium transport across cell membranes, angiogenesis, apoptosis, cell proliferation, and immune cell function. [1][2][3][4] These processes are integral to the immune system and hence the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases such as arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and asthma, as well as cancer. Epidemiological studies have suggested that groups of people who consume diets high in omega-3 fatty acids may experience a lower prevalence of some types of cancer, 5-8 and many small trials have attempted to assess the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on cancer treatment by adding omega-3 fatty acid to the diet either as omega-3 fatty acid-rich foods or as dietary supplements. [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22] In addition, dietary omega-3 fatty acids have been found to modulate mammary tumor formation and proliferation in rodents. 23 In response to this evidence, a number of omega-3 fatty acid-containing dietary supplements have appeared on the market claiming to protect against the development of a variety of conditions including cancer. To assess the va-Author Affiliations are listed at the end of this article.

Mediterranean diet in secondary prevention of CHD

“…In addition, the trial suggested for the first time that patients following the Mediterranean diet were also relatively protected from cancer (4) . Although further controlled trials are warranted to confirm the cancer data, those obtained from the 'Lyon Diet Heart Study' are in line with several epidemiological observational studies suggesting that some dietary factors are very important in cancers and cancer prevention (3,(23)(24)(25)(26) .…”

Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acids in Blood and Breast Tissue of High-Risk Women and Association with Atypical Cytomorphology

“…The effect of omega-3 and omega-6 intake on breast cancer risk in humans has not been determined. Assessing this relationship is complicated by problems assessing omega-3 and omega-6 intake from food frequency questionnaires (FFQ; 16) and inconsistent results among different populations (17,18).…”

The relevance of serum levels of long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and prostate cancer risk: A Meta-analysis

“…5 In particular, dietary intake of long-chain n-3 PUFA or its individual components (eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA], docosahexaenoic acid [DHA], docosapentaenoic acid [DPA]), have been proposed to have an association with prostate cancer risk; however, these results have been inconsistent, largely variable and heterogeneous. [6][7][8][9] These inconsistent results were mainly due to research variations in dietary assessment techniques and under-or overreporting of values, which decreased the accuracy of measuring individual's fatty acid intake. 10,11 Experts have suggested that levels of fatty acids in blood, tissue or erythrocyte membranes could provide a more reliable method of estimating fatty acid consumption.…”