Fish oil is rich in eicosapentaneoic acid and docosahexaneoic acid, omega-3 fatty acids that have anti-inflammatory properties and may prevent tumor growth. A tumor is characterized by an abnormal growth of body tissue that can be cancerous or noncancerous. You can obtain fish oil by taking supplements or eating fatty fish, such as salmon, tuna, sardines, mackerel and herring. Consult your doctor about taking fish oil to prevent tumor growth.
Colon Cancer
Colon cancer involves the growth of cancer cells and tumors in your large intestine. Colon tumors of the colon can cause you to experience diarrhea, constipation, weight loss and blood in the stool. Increasing your intake of fish oil may prevent the development of tumors in your colon. Research by scientists at Texas A&M University in College Station and published in "Nutrition and Cancer" in 2003 found that fish oil is protective against the genesis of colon tumors, primarily by programming cell death. Docosahexaneoic acid is more powerful than eicosapentaneoic acid in suppressing tumor growth in the colon, according to research by scientists at the University of Nevada, Reno, and published in "Nutrition and Cancer" in 2007.
Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the leading type of cancer in men in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The prostate is a small gland that surrounds your urethra, the tube urine flows from the bladder to the penis. Prostate cancer and any associated tumors are often found with a digital rectal exam or a blood test for prostate specific antigen. A diet rich in fish oil may reduce your risk of prostate cancer and tumors. Research by scientists at the University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania and published in "Neoplasia" in February 2006 found that increasing the intake of eicosapentaneoic acid and docosahexaneoic acid can promote death and decrease proliferation of prostate cancer cells and tumors.
Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women after skin cancer. Breast cancer is often found when your doctor feels a lump in your breast and conducts a mammography. Fish oil may slow down or kill breast cancer and tumor growth. Research by scientists at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and published in "Breast Cancer Research and Treatment" in November 2009 found that fish oil increases tumor cell death and regression.
Cancer Treament
Fish oil may also be effective in the treatment of cancer and tumors. Research by scientists at the State University of New York in Syracuse and published in the "Journal of the American College of Surgeons" in November 2004 discovered that fish oil delays onset of tumor appearance, growth and size. They also found that omega-3 fatty acids prevent body weight loss, improve food intake and restore normal eating patterns in cancer patients.
References
- PubMed Health: Tumor
- MedlinePlus: Fish Oil
- "Nutrition and Cancer"; Fish Oil Enhances Targeted Apoptosis During Colon Tumor Initiation in Part by Downregulating Bcl-2; Mee Young Hong, et al.; 2003
- "Nutrition and Cancer"; Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA), a Primary Tumor Suppressive Omega-3 Fatty Acid, Inhibits Growth of Colorectal Cancer Independent of P53 Mutational Status; Taeko Kato, et al.; 2007
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: U.S. Cancer Statistics 2006
- "Neoplasia"; Prostate Tumor Growth and Recurrence Can Be Modulated by the Omega-6:Omega-3 Ratio in Diet: Athymic Mouse Xenograft Model Simulating Radical Prostatectomy; Uddhav Kelavkar, et al.; Feb 2006
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