block arachidonic acid, inhibit COX-2 enzyme, regulate cell division and inhibit adhesion, prevent cachexia, potentiate traditional cancer therapies, and suppress the activity of pro-inflammatory cytokines
As a result of the current fat phobia, over 80% of Americans consume inadequate amounts of essential fatty acids (especially omega-3 fatty acids). Physicians report that this scarcity is contributing to epidemic proportions of degenerative diseases, including cancer (Murray et al. 1996). The omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acid ratio typically seen may be as high as 20:1, whereas the optimal ratio may be nearer 1:1 (Mercola 2002a). EFAs, although not manufactured by the body, perform vital functions that prevent and control cancer.
- As enzymes metabolize AA, the byproducts of the metabolism fuel the cancer process (Comprehensive Cancer Care 2001). Oxidized AA is, in fact, considered a primary initiator of cancer (Newmark et al. 2000). One gram of omega-3 fatty acids blocks 10 grams of AA (Pizzorno 2001).
- The COX-2 enzyme (interacting with AA) can cause excess production of PGE2, promoting cancer cell growth. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (derived from alpha-linolenic acid or fish oil) are effective COX-2 inhibitors (Ringbom et al. 2001).
- Fish oil is the most documented supplement to suppress (up to 90%) a cascade of damaging cytokines, including TNF-alpha and IL-1 (James et al. 2000). It should be noted that psychological stress induces the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IL-10. Increasing omega-3 fatty acids lessened the pro-inflammatory response to psychological stress (Maes et al. 2000). For information regarding a blood test to obtain a cytokine profile, call (800) 208-3444 .
- Women with high levels of alpha-linolenic acid in breast tissue have a 60% lower risk of breast cancer compared to women with low levels (Klein et al. 2000; Maillard et al. 2002). Jeffrey Bland, esteemed scientist and teacher, reported a supportive study involving 500 (C3H) mice prone to breast cancer. The mice were divided into 10 groups of 50 animals and evaluated regarding the impact of various dietary oils on the occurrence of cancer. One-tenth of the animals received standard chow and served as a control group; another group received standard chow plus benzanthracene, a carcinogen. The other eight groups received isocaloric diets along with the cancer inducer; the variable was the type of fat (not the amount) fed in conjunction with the chow. Eight oils were evaluated: tallow, fish, corn, primrose, safflower, linseed oils, and two others. At the conclusion of the study, eight of the 10 groups (400 animals) were dead with mammary cancer. The 100 survivors were animals fed omega-3 rich oils. The study was repeated using different types of oils and varying amounts of the cancer inducer. The end results werethe same. Researchers postulated that the advantage of omega-3 fatty acid was the oil’s ability to reduce inflammatory mediators, those signaling tumor progression and metastasis (Cameron et al. 1989).
- Epidemiologic and experimental studies suggest that oils rich in omega-3 fatty acids lessen the risk of colon cancer. A relatively small fraction of alpha-linolenic-rich perilla oil (25% of total dietary fat) provided an appreciable beneficial effect in reducing cancer risk (Narisawa et al. 1994).
- Low EFA status results in a lack of oncogene control with a shift toward cell proliferation (Pizzorno 2001). EFAs also regulate the adhesiveness of cancer cells, including cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesions (Jiang 1998).
- Fatty acids, particularly EPA, inhibited the growth of three human pancreatic cancer cell lines (MIA PaCA-2, PANC-1, and CFPAC), suggesting therapeutic benefit to pancreatic cancer patients (Falconer et al. 1994).
- Omega-3 fatty acids prevent cachexia (the muscle wasting and weight loss that occurs in some cancer patients irrespective of proper nutritional intake). Controlling the symptoms common to cachexia (anorexia, abnormal macronutrient metabolism, and fatigue) improves quality of life and extends periods of remission (Bruera 2003).
- Researchers found DHA and EPA cytotoxic to myeloma cells in vitro (Sravan et al. 1997). Individuals who regularly consume fish and cruciferous vegetables appear to lessen their risk of developing multiple myeloma (Brown et al. 2001).
Thirty-two dogs with Stage III lymphoma and their response to a dietary and chemotherapeutic regime were evaluated. All of the animals were fed identical diets, but they received varying types of oils. For example, one group received menhaden fish oil (rich in omega-3 fatty acid) and arginine, while the control group received soybean oil (Ogilvie et al. 2000). The animals also received doxorubicin every 3 weeks.
As DHA and EPA levels increased in the test group, the animals experienced longer disease-free intervals and subsequently increased survival time. Dogs receiving the supplemented diet lived about 700 days; animals receiving the soybean oil lived only about 400 days. The time until relapse was also significant: 425 days in the treatment group versus 275 days in the control group. Note: Since fish oil increases the effectiveness of chemotherapeutic agents, the animals receiving the menhaden oil realized an additional advantage over the soybean-treated animals (Hardman et al. 2001).
Suggested dosages for various EFAs: Take six 1000-mg capsules a day of perilla oil, which provide 550-620 mg of alpha-linolenic. Flaxseed oil, 1000-mg softgels, is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids. Take 7 softgels a day. A preventive dose of a fish oil concentrate called Mega EPA is 4 capsules a day (2800 mg of EPA/DHA). Cancer patients often use 8-12 Mega EPA softgels daily along with 4 Mega GLA softgels to balance the high amount of omega-3 being consumed in the fish oil. Another option for cancer patients is 8 capsules a day of Super GLA/DHA, providing a highly concentrated amount of DHA, GLA, and a moderate amount of EPA. Higher dosages should be physician supervised.
