Fish oil may protect men against prostate cancer, especially a particularly aggressive form of the disease, according to a 2009 medical study in the journal "Clinical Cancer Research." Clinicians who conducted the study believe the anti-inflammatory effects of the omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil may help prevent prostate cancer and might help treat it in men who already have been diagnosed.
Function
Fish oil contains high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which can help prevent inflammation in the body. The American Heart Association has concluded that the omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil can prevent cardiovascular disease, and physicians often recommend fish oil for cardiovascular health. But an increasing number of studies indicates fish oil also may protect against certain types of cancer, including prostate cancer. A 2009 report in the "Journal of Nutrigenetics and Nutrigenomics" says fish oil appears to work to reduce cancer by reducing inflammation in the prostate gland.
Types
Omega-3 fatty acid-containing fish oil can be consumed by eating oily fish such as mackerel, Atlantic salmon or herring, or by taking fish oil capsules. There is no Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for omega-3 fatty acids, but many experts, including physicians at the Mayo Clinic, recommend that men concerned about their risk for prostate cancer take about 1 gram per day. A 3 oz. serving of Atlantic salmon contains nearly twice that.
Effects
Several studies have looked at the role of fish oil in the diets of prostate cancer patients and other male subjects. The study from the journal "Clinical Cancer Research," for example, looked at the diets of nearly 1,000 men and found that those who consumed the most omega-3 fatty acids had the lowest risk of being diagnosed with a type of aggressive, genetically linked prostate cancer.
Benefits
Fish oil also may help men who already have been diagnosed with prostate cancer. A 2001 study in the journal "Urology" found potentially beneficial changes in prostate tissue samples from men who had been diagnosed with prostate cancer and then treated with a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids.
Considerations
It's possible to get enough fish oil through diet alone, but many people don't like to consume that much fish. In addition, fish often are contaminated with mercury and other potential toxins. In that case, physicians recommend fish oil supplements. But the Mayo Clinic warns patients not to exceed 3 grams per day in supplements due to the increased risk of bleeding.
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