Last week I got an e-mail update from the Life Extension Foundation, entitled "Omega-3 fatty acids reduce prostate cancer growth".
It came from the August issue of the journal Clinical Cancer Research as they published the finding of researchers at UCLA. The study reinforces the concept I have stated for over 4 years. That the ratio between Omega 6 to Omega 3 Fatty Acids, is responsible for increased inflammation in the body which increases our chances of developing issues such as heart disease, arthritis and cancer.
This study showed that a greater ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids in the diet was associated with a reduction in prostate tumor growth rates and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in a mouse model of hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. Omega-3 fatty acids consist of EPA and DHA, and are found in oily fish and ALA, found in flax and other plants. Omega-6 fatty acids are found mainly in vegetable oils such as those derived from corn and safflower, and are also found in red meat.
By increasing the ratio of Omega 3 to Omega 6 fatty acids, the research team found a 22 percent average reduction in tumor cell growth rates and 77 percent lower PSA levels among mice who received the omega-3 fatty acids compared to animals whose dietary fats were predominantly omega-6. Omega 6 fatty acids are pro-inflammatory and Omega 3's are anti-inflammatory.
The LEF stated that the study is among the first to demonstrate the effect of reducing a prostate cancer- promoting inflammatory response via the diet. Dr Aronson commented, "Corn oil is the backbone of the American diet. We consume up to 20 times more omega-6 fatty acids in our diet compared to omega-3 acids. This study strongly suggests that eating a healthier ratio of these two types of fatty acids may make a difference in reducing prostate cancer growth, but studies need to be conducted in humans before any clinical recommendations can be made."
"We may be able to use EPA and DHA supplements while also reducing omega-6 fatty acids in the diet as a cancer prevention tool or possibly to reduce progression in men with prostate cancer," Dr Aronson added.
We thank LEF for sharing this information with us.
NSI Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Christopher Wiechert, C.N.C.
Christopher Wiechert's Healthblogger is for educational or informational purposes only, and is not intended to diagnose or provide treatment for any condition. If you have any concerns about your own health, you should always consult with a healthcare professional. If you decide to use this information on your own, it's your constitutional right, but I assume no responsibility.
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