Fish Oil Fights Cancer?

Many scientists would say, “Ah that is just another fish tale.” No epidemiological studies have yet found omega-3 preventing cancers from occurring, but several recent high quality experimental studies show that fish oil, may reduce the spread of cancer cells. At the same time, omega-3 fish oils seem to increase the efficacy of radiation and chemotherapy while reducing side effects of such treatments. These positive results are evident for breast, prostate, liver and colon cancer.

Several recent high quality experimental studies show that omega-3 may reduce the risk of a cancer spreading. At the same time, omega-3 fish oils seem to increase the efficacy of radiation and chemotherapy while reducing side effects of such treatments. These positive results are evident for breast, prostate, liver and colon cancer.

Let’s examine why this might be true:

Omega-3s are important for the structure and exchange of nutrients crossing the cell membrane. When the protective outer membrane of the cell breaks down, cancer cells spread to other organ tissues.

By keeping the cell membrane flexible and intact it makes sense that there is less tumor cell migration and metastasis. So long as cancer cells are confined to their site of origin, the cancer can often be effectively treated. But when tumor cells break loose, enter the bloodstream, interact with the endothelium, and invade tissue they then form a “metastatic focus.” These metastatic
focuses or secondary tumors often cause problems for the patient. They starve or displace functional cells in vital organs and their dissipation is often difficult to control or treat. .

In gastric cancer cells omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids have been shown to inhibit growth by promoting the self-destruction of certain cells. One hypothesis is that such effects can be
attributed to the way omega-3s make up the structure and affect the function of cell membranes. Since omega-3 is a main
regulator of cell membrane permeability, in essence it controls the transport of nutrients and waste products and other substances across the cell border. What characterizes cancer is the complete lack of growth regulation.

Scientists speculate that omega-3 may reduce this erratic cell activity, even contributing to cancer cell death by providing
correct functioning cell membranes and gene decoding. Another cancer limiting mechanism has been identified. Recent studies found that omega-6 (vegetable oils) promote the formation of new blood vessels typical of cancer growth while omega-3 fish oil had the opposite and positive effect. This can be related to the anti-inflammation properties of omega-3.

Research institutions are now starting to experiment with these startling discoveries. If scientists can connect omega-3 molecules with chemotherapy drugs and thus help to deliver the drugs more directly into the sick cells, it would be a major medical achievement.

So if anyone still needs more reasons to take Omega Cure every day, here is a link to a compilation of studies.

Skål and let’s welcome the signs of spring

Dr. Anne-Marie Chalmers M.D.	Dr. Bo Martinsen M.D.