Omega-3s Most Effective For Cancer Prevention
ONTARIO (Dispatches) - Omega-3s from fish pack a stronger punch than flaxseed and other oils when it comes to cancer prevention, according to a new study.
According to a first-ever University of Guelph study, marine-based omega-3s are eight times more effective at inhibiting tumor development and growth.
"This study is the first to compare the cancer-fighting potency of plant- versus marine-derived omega-3s on breast tumor development," said Prof. David Ma the Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences. "There is evidence that both omega-3s from plants and marine sources are protective against cancer and we wanted to determine which form is more effective."
The study involved feeding the different types of omega-3s to mice with a highly aggressive form of human breast cancer called HER-2. HER-2 affects 25per cent of women and has a poor prognosis.
Ma exposed the mice to either the plant-based or the marine-based omega-3s, beginning in utero.
He found overall exposure to marine-based omega-3s reduced the size of the tumours by 60 to 70 per cent and the number of tumours by 30 per cent.
Omega-3s prevent and fight cancer by turning on genes associated with the immune system and blocking tumour growth pathways, said Ma.
Based on the doses given in the study, Ma said humans should consume two to three servings of fish a week to have the same effect.
Besides certain foods containing EPA and DHA, supplements and functional foods, such as omega-3 eggs or DHA milk, can offer similar cancer prevention effects, he added.