Fish oil consumption--either in the form of supplements or from eating oily fish--potentially can reduce the risk of prostate cancer, experts say. The benefit likely results from the anti-inflammatory effects of the omega-3 fatty acids contained in fish oil.
Function
Omega-3 fatty acids are considered essential to human health because of their anti-inflammatory properties. Fish oil contains two different types of omega-3 fatty acids: eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid. Medical researchers have proven that fish oil helps prevent cardiovascular disease, and they believe it also has the potential to help prevent or treat a variety of cancers, including prostate cancer.
Types
The Food and Drug Administration has not set a Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for omega-3 fatty acids, but many medical experts recommend getting about 1 gram per day. Men can consume that much by eating lots of oily fish such as salmon, herring or mackerel. Ten ounces of Atlantic salmon has nearly a full week's supply. Or, men can take fish oil supplements.
Effects
Most experts believe fish oil works to prevent and even help treat prostate cancer by reducing inflammation. In a study published in 2009 in "Clinical Cancer Research," clinicians looked at the diets of more than 900 men with and without prostate cancer, and concluded that fish oil consumption protects against prostate cancer, especially against an especially aggressive form of prostate cancer.
Benefits
Omega-3 fatty acid-containing fish oil also may play a role in treating cases of prostate cancer. In a study released in 2001, researchers from Duke University Medical Center treated 25 new prostate cancer patients with a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids, and found that the diet might have a beneficial effect on the biology of their tumors.
Considerations
Medical experts warn that too much fish oil can be dangerous. Doses over 3 grams per day potentially can cause bleeding. In addition, fish sometimes contain high doses of toxins such as mercury. Some physicians recommend avoiding fish completely and obtaining all omega-3s necessary for prostate health from supplements.
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