Prostate Cancer Preventable by Fish Oil Omega-3s

Scientists have come up with research that proves that by increasing your intake of omega-3 fatty acids in your diet, you may be reducing the chances of your developing prostate cancer, even if you are genetically predisposed to prostate cancer. These findings demonstrated the strong connection, in terms of protection of health, between the increased intake of the long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and the more advanced prostate cancer. The most common source of these fatty acids is salmon and other types of dark fish.  Read more about Understanding Genomics and Global Health Impacts

Scientists further added that for persons with a high-risk variant, the reduced chances of their developing prostate cancer are even more evident. For this study, the diets and genetic profiles of 466 men suffering from an aggressive form of prostate cancer were compared with the genetic profiles and diets of another 478 healthy men who had similar qualities in terms of their ages and ethnic distribution. The average age of the individuals participating in this study was 65, and the patient suffering from prostate cancer had been recruited for this study approximately 4.7 months after being diagnosed with prostate cancer. For the control subjects, the researchers recruited healthy men who were undergoing normal annual medical check ups.

This study was mainly focused on aggressive tumors as these are a representation of the most dangerous form of prostate cancer. What normally occurs is that men suffering from slow-growing, non-aggressive tumors are more prone to succumbing to other causes before they exhibit any symptoms of prostate cancer.

The study was carried out by requesting the participants to fill out questionnaires on the frequency of their consumption of various types of fish. This classification took the form of either: “one to three times a month” or “one or more times a week” or “never”. The participants were all then tested for the 9 different mutations of the cox-2 gene. Analysis was then carried out on the relationship between these variables and prostate cancer, while adjustments were made in consideration of other known risk factors such as, obesity, smoking, and cancer in the family history as well as prior screening for prostate cancer.

The findings of this research led to the conclusion that men suffering from prostate cancer have a significantly higher intake of fats, calories and linoleic acids (omega-6 fatty acid) than those not suffering from prostate cancer. The findings also show that men suffering from prostate cancer have a significantly low intake of omega-3s, dark fish and shell fish.

Read more about Understanding Genomics and Global Health Impacts