Fish Oil Lessens Cancer'sDamage

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Fish Oil Lessens Cancer's Damage http://www.mercola.com/2004/aug/25/fish_oil_cancer.htm

 

Low doses of fish oil supplements taken regularly give cancer patients a better chance to stabilize their weight or even spur gains, according to a study. Previous research and clinical investigations have found the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil protects against cachexia, a weight-loss condition connected to a chronic disease.

 

Omega-3s work three ways to fight against cachexia:

 

 

Inhibiting the secretion of inflammatory compounds Blocking the process by which tumors promote cachexia Slowing protein degradation and fat breakdown

 

More than 40 cancer patients with severe or moderate malnutrition were given high doses of omega-3 supplements daily, depending on his or her body weight to take with breakfast and lunch. (A patient weighing 150 pounds would take 11 1-gram capsules, for example.) Originally, researchers started by giving patients twice the number of supplements, but lowered dosages because many couldn't or wouldn't take that many capsules.

 

Six of the 36 participants who took some of the supplements either gained the weight they previously lost or added an extra 5 percent, and 24 more stabilized their weights, meaning these patients gained or lost no more than 5 percent. The remaining patients lost more than 5 percent of their weight.

 

Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea were common side effects. The capsule size was also difficult for some patients to swallow. Side effects forced 19 patients to stop taking omega-3, but others tolerated the trial with few difficulties.

 

Researchers envision future studies of fish oil for treating cachexia that begin at a point when patients are less severely ill, and last for longer than 30 days, may have more positive results, scientists said.

 

News August 6, 2004

 

Dr. Mercola's Comment:

If you've been reading my newsletter for any length of time, you already know fish oil and cod liver oil does some pretty amazing things, and it's a wonderful source of omega-3, a fat that is essential for good health.

 

Americans consume a dangerously insufficient amount of omega-3, a fat essential to good health but only found in fish and cod liver oil and a few other foods. Meanwhile, our intake of omega-6, another fat found in corn, soy, sunflower and other oils, is far too high. The ideal ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 should be 1:1, but the typical ratio ranges from 20:1 to 50:1!

 

Aside from the benefits to cancer patients, fish oils protect your body in a number of ways:

 

 

Helps fight and prevent heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer's, arthritis, diabetes, ulcers, depression, hyperactivity and many other diseases Increases your energy level and ability to concentrate Provides greater resistance to common illnesses such as flu and cold Helps pregnant women avoid premature births, low birth weight and other complications

 

Fish oils also provide a healthier alternative to eating fresh fish, many of which are contaminated by mercury. In fact, avoiding mercury by taking fish oil supercedes any advantage you might have by eating tainted fish.

 

My general rule: Take cod liver oil from autumn to early spring, and fish oil from late spring through the end of summer. You will need to adjust your fish oil intake depending on where you live in relation to the equator, but the best way to know whether you need cod liver oil, which contains vitamin D, is to have your levels tested.

 

The Carlson brand of fish oil and cod liver oil we sell in our Web store is regularly tested by an independent FDA-registered laboratory and comes highly recommended for its potency and purity.

Related Articles:

 

Fish Oil Reduces Stroke

Fish Oil More Useful for Treating Inflammation Than Flax Seed Oil

Depressed? Consider Fish Oil

Fish Oil Reduces Breast Cancer

Fish Oil / Cod Liver Oil Frequently Asked Questions

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