Omega-6 and the Prostate

Omega-6 is an essential fatty acid found in foods such as red meat and pork and in some vegetable oils. Along with omega-3, omega-6 is important to good health. Essential fatty acids help your brain function better and contribute to healthy skin, muscles and your reproductive system. But too much omega-6 can have negative impacts on your health, particularly if you have, or are at a risk for, prostate cancer.

Omega-6 vs. Omega-3

While you need both omega-6 and omega-3 in your diet, most people consume far more omega-6 than omega-3. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, most people in America consume 14 to 25 times the amount of omega-6 as they do omega-3. A better ratio would be twice as much omega-6 as omega-3. Some omega-6 can cause inflammation, while omega-3 tends to decrease inflammation. The imbalance of omega-6 and omega-3 may contribute to many diseases, including arthritis, asthma and heart disease.

Omega-6 and Prostate Tumors

In November 2009 the United States Department of Veterans Affairs reported on a study conducted at the San Francisco VA Medical Center that demonstrated that omega-6 fatty acids promoted the growth of tumor cells in human prostate cancer tissue cultures. This tissue was from men who already had prostate cancer. The omega-6 used in the study was linoleic acid, found in safflower oil.

Balancing the Ratio

To get more omega-3 in your diet and balance the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3, switch from corn oil to canola oil or olive oil. Fish are high in healthy omega-3s, so the urology center of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center recommends that you consume ocean-caught fish once or twice a week. Reduce or eliminate red meat and high-fat foods from your diet and limit your fat intake to 15 to 20 percent of your calories. Meat and other high-fat foods are often high in omega-6.

Prostate Health

A healthy diet low in fat and rich in fruits and vegetables can help maintain prostate health. Registered dietitians at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center also recommend that men include soy, tomatoes and garlic in their diets. These foods contain compounds that may help bolster prostate health. Starting at age 50, men should have a prostate cancer screening as part of an annual physical checkup.