The prostate is a walnut-sized organ that lies at the base of the bladder in men. If the prostate enlarges, which it commonly does as men age, it can interfere with urination. Prostate cancer is also a frequent health concern, particularly for older males. In fact, prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer and the second most common cause of cancer death in American men, according to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Scientists are investigating the roles nutritional factors, such as omega-3 fatty acids, may play in prostate health.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are a special type of polyunsaturated fat found in fish oil, marine algae, krill, some plants and nut oils. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, some omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation in your tissues, and many scientists believe they reduce your risks for heart disease, arthritis and cancer. The primary omega-3 fatty acids important to human health are eicosapentaenoic acid, or EPA, docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, and alpha-linolenic acid, or ALA.
Omega-3 and Prostate Enlargement
The National Cancer Institute reports that more than half of men in their 60s and nearly all men in their 70s and 80s have signs of prostate enlargement, called benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH. A 1999 "Clinical Biochemistry" study demonstrated that omega-3 fatty acid levels are low in men who have BPH and suggested that this could contribute to increased inflammation in their tissue. The May 2008 "Journal of Urology" showed that BPH is associated with chronic inflammation. Omega-3 fatty acids have not been proven beneficial for the treatment or prevention of BPH.
Omega-3 and Prostate Cancer
The role of omega-3 fatty acids in the prevention and treatment of prostate cancer is controversial. Although epidemiologic studies suggest that consumption of omega-3 fatty acids is associated with a lower risk for prostate cancer, clinical studies have yielded mixed results. A 22-year study in "The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" suggested that omega-3 consumption did not reduce the occurrence of prostate cancer, but did improve survival in men who developed the disease. Omega-3 fatty acids have not been approved for preventing or treating prostate cancer.
Considerations and Recommendations
Although research suggests a promising role for omega-3 fatty acids in the management of prostate disorders, the evidence of benefit is still incomplete. Dosages of omega-3 fatty acids that might prove beneficial for prostate health are unknown, but for optimal cardiovascular health, the American Heart Association suggests that Americans consume between 0.5 and 1.8 g of EPA plus DHA and 1.5 to 3g of ALA daily. These amounts can come from either fish or supplements.
References
- "American Family Physician"; U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: Screening for Prostate Cancer: Recommendation Statement; August 2009
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Omega-3 Fatty Acids
- National Cancer Institute: Understanding Prostate Changes
- "Clinical Biochemistry"; Comparison of Fatty Acid Profiles in the Serum of Patients with Prostate Cancer and Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia; Y.J. Yang, et al; August 1999
- "Journal of Urology"; Evaluation of Prostatitis in Autopsied Prostates: Is Chronic Inflammation More Associated with BPH or Cancer?; N.B. Delongchamps, et al.; May 2008
- "The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition"; A 22-Year Prospective Study of Fish Intake in Relation to Prostate Cancer Incidence and Mortality; J.E. Chavarro, et al.; November 2008
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