High Levels of Fish Oil May Boost Risk for Prostate Cancer
This article is very disturbing for those of us medical providers who have been telling patients to increase their intake of fish oils, specifically omega-3.
A high intake of omega-3 fatty acid, which is found in fish oil, might significantly boost the risk of developing prostate cancer, according to a prospective study.
Overall, men who had high blood concentrations of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) had a significant 43% increase in the risk for all grades of prostate cancer, compared with men who had the lowest concentrations. The risk for high-grade disease was increased by 71%.
The results of the study, published online July 11 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, confirm previous reports of increased prostate cancer risk in men with high blood concentrations, note the authors, led by Theodore M. Brasky, PhD, from the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center in Columbus.
A previous study by the same team in a different cohort of men found a similar link between high serum concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids and a large increase in the risk for high-grade prostate cancer (Am J Epidemiol. 2011;173:1429-1439).
Dr. Lane recommends moderating fish intake and avoiding supplements. The 2 sources of these fatty acids in blood are food and supplements, so the blood samples represent total exposure. The results shouldn’t change with the source of the fats. No mega-doses of supplements, stick to the actual fish for your source of omega-3.
For the whole picture, realize that this has to do solely with PROSTATE CANCER, not all cancer. Fish oil supplements were associated with a lower risk for breast cancer in postmenopausal women in the Vitamins and Lifestyle (VITAL) cohort study (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2010;19:1696-1708), as previously reported by Medscape Medical News.
J Natl Cancer Inst. Published online July 11, 2013. Abstract
via Blogger http://chiropractic-lane.blogspot.com/2013/07/high-levels-of-fish-oil-may-boost-risk.html
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