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Omega-3 fats offer no cancer protection: study


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#1 Matt

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Posted 25 January 2006 - 01:49 AM


I am quite confident that what this study really says is that we can't just look at one EFA or one vitamin to prevent diseases like cancer. Omega 3 while having good overall nutrition would show more positive benifits. When the rest of the diet sucks really bad with lots of saturated fat, refined sugars etc... then what you expect? Bottom line is eat healthy, avoid bad foods and all nutrients that you gain from diet will act together to prevent diseases like cancer.

Omega-3 fats offer no cancer protection: study

CHICAGO (Reuters) - The fatty acids found in some fish may help combat heart disease but there is no strong evidence they prevent cancer as some research has suggested, a study said on Tuesday.

Researchers at RAND Health and the Greater Los Angeles VA Healthcare System said they reached the conclusion after reviewing 38 studies published between 1966 and 2005 on omega-3 fatty acids, found in some fish and certain vegetables and sold as dietary supplements.

"Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to have beneficial health effects, particularly reducing the incidence of cardiovascular disease," said RAND's Catherine MacLean, chief author of the report. "We found cancer prevention isn't one of the health benefits."

She said there had been a few studies that showed reduced risk of cancer from consuming the fatty acids. "But we found even more studies that showed no decrease in cancer risk and even a few that suggested a higher risk. Our conclusion is that there is no relationship between omega-3 fatty acids and lower rates of any types of cancer."

The study was published in this week's Journal of the American Medical Association


Edited by Matt, 25 January 2006 - 02:22 AM.


#2 Shepard

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Posted 25 January 2006 - 02:18 AM

Yeah, that doesn't really say anything.

#3 biknut

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Posted 25 January 2006 - 06:41 AM

Well maybe it doesn't help with cancer, but helping prevent cardiovascular disease
isn't too shabby.

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#4 Matt

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Posted 25 January 2006 - 03:35 PM

One thing that Omega 3 does do well is act as a anti-inflammatory. Some cancers for instance could be caused or promoted by chronic inflammation. If a person were to take omega 3 but still eat foods that promote inflammation then the maybe the effects on omega 3 are reduced. In lab mice it's easier to control the rest of their diet, they don't go out for McDonalds every few days for one...

#5 scottl

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Posted 25 January 2006 - 11:12 PM

It would be the ratio of omega 3s to omega 6s that are relevant. So if they haven't controlled for omega 6 intake you can't come to any helpful conclusion.

#6 ddhewitt

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Posted 25 January 2006 - 11:21 PM

This is one of these meta-analysis papers or a study of previous studies with different methods and approaches.

I am not a big fan of this type of study. Really comparing studies done between 1966 and 2005?

Duane

#7 xanadu

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Posted 28 January 2006 - 12:03 AM

Some studies showed lowered cancer incidence and some showed no difference. How does that work out to no benefit? Too many of these studies show what the authors want them to show. At any rate, omega 3 is great overall even if it only has a small cancer benefit.

Fish oil is also of no use in youir transmission.




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