Omega-3 Fatty Acids & Cancer

With chronic diseases such as cancer on the rise in the United States, many people are attempting to improve lifestyle choices in order to help the body function optimally. Diet and exercise are the key lifestyle factors and one area of nutrition that is being studied is the addition of omega-3 fish oil into the healthy diet. According to the American Cancer Society, some studies in animals have found that fish oils rich in omega-3 fatty acids suppress the formation and growth of some types of cancer, but studies in humans have produced conflicting results.

What are Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fish oil and some nuts and plants. Also called polyunsaturated fatty acids, omega-3s are considered essential fats because they are required by the body for proper function. They are not made by the body, however, and must be introduced through diet. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, omega-3 fatty acids are found in fish including salmon, tuna, and halibut, and other seafood including algae and krill. They are also found in some plants and nut oils.

Cancer Prevention

The American Cancer Society states that a person can lower the risk of developing most types of cancer by changing lifestyle habits. They recommend strategies that include not smoking, limiting time in the sun, physical exercise, and eating a better diet. For many people, this includes the addition of foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids.

The American Diet

The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that the typical American diet is unbalanced in regard to essential fatty acids. Most American diets have 14 to 25 times fewer omega-3 fatty acids than other diets, which can lead to inflammation and chronic disease. In the 2005 article Effects of Exercise and Diet on Chronic Disease in the "Journal of Applied Physiology," the authors state that modern chronic diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, Type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome and cancer, are the leading killers in westernized society. They note that most chronic diseases are due to physical inactivity and inappropriate diet consumption.

Research

According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, there is a large body of literature that suggests that omega-3 dietary enrichment may help inhibit or prevent tumor growth in some animal models. They state that the quality of the research varies and there is not enough evidence to permit drawing strong conclusions. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that eating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids seems to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer, breast cancer and prostate cancer. The American Cancer Society states that the strongest evidence is in the area of heart disease and its risk factors. The overall relationship between omega-3 fatty acids and cancer is not yet known, however.

Expert Insight

When discussing lifestyle habits such as diet and exercise, it is important to realize that they are required by the body to function normally. Implementing these habits and including omega-3 fatty acids in the diet will boost overall function of the body. Fish oil supplements are an easy way to introduce omega-3 fatty acids into the diet and may help the body function optimally.