Fish oil made from mackerel, tuna and cod liver contains omega-3 fatty acids that help protect you from cancer. In addition to cancer protection, omega-3 fatty acids also help lower your risk of heart disease and have been associated with helping to improve heart rhythm problems, the American Cancer Society notes. Despite its purported beneficial effects, cod liver oil has also been associated with adverse effects like causing toxic levels of vitamin A and D and abdominal bloating. Always consult your doctor before taking cod liver oil supplements.
Cod Liver Oil and Cancer
Omega-3 fatty acids in cod liver oil have been associated with being beneficial to cancer patients. However, evidence on the effects of omega-3 fatty acids and cancer seem conflicted. Taking 7.5 grams of fish oil like cod liver oil daily seem to slow the weight loss associated with cancer treatment, MedlinePlus, a service of the National Institutes of Health, says. On the other hand, data collected over the past 40 years seem to suggest that these fatty acids are unlikely to prevent cancer, the American Cancer Society notes. Because of the current lack of conclusive evidence, further studies are necessary to assess omega-3 fatty acids’ possible beneficial effects on cancer patients.
Helps Cancer Survival
The results of a study published in a 2009 issue of the “International Journal of Cancer” show that daily use of cod liver oil supplements lowers the risk of death among patients with solid tumors as well as those with lung cancer. More research is needed to determine the factors that affect how effectively cod liver oil is able to increase survival rates in cancer patients.
Lowers Lung Cancer Risk
A study published in a 1997 issue of the “European Journal of Cancer Prevention” found that the dietary intake of cod liver oil helps to lower lung cancer risk. The results seem to suggest that the vitamin A and omega-3 fatty acid content of cod liver oil are responsible for its beneficial effects against cancer.
Adverse Effects
Cod liver oil use has been associated with adverse reactions such as nausea, itching, tightness of the chest, breathing difficulties and swelling of your face, throat and hands, the University of Maryland Medical Center explains. Taking more than 3 grams of fish oil daily impairs your blood’s ability to clot properly and increases your risk of bleeding, MedlinePlus notes. Taking large amounts of fish oil have also been associated with causing an increase in your levels of bad cholesterol, or low-density lipoprotein.
References
- American Cancer Society; Omega-3 Fatty Acids; November 2008
- "European Journal of Cancer Prevention"; Dietary Fat Intake and Risk of Lung Cancer: a Prospective Study of 51,452 Norwegian Men and Women; Veierod MB, et al.; December 1997
- "International Journal of Cancer"; Cod Liver Oil, Other Dietary Supplements and Survival Among Cancer Patients with Solid Tumours; Skeie G, et al.; September 2009
- MedlinePlus; Fish Oil; February 2011
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Cod Liver (By Mouth); January 2010
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