Omega 3 fights bowel cancer
A purified form of omega 3 fatty acids cuts the number and size of precancerous bowel growths (polyps) in people whose genetic make-up predisposes them to bowel cancer.
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A purified form of omega 3 fatty acids cuts the number and size of precancerous bowel growths (polyps) in people whose genetic make-up predisposes them to bowel cancer.
Omega 3 fatty acids seem to be as effective as the prescription medicine used to treat familial bowel polyps. Dietary Omega 3 PUFA (poly unsaturated fatty acid) mainly comes from oily fish, such as salmon, mackerel and herring. People with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) have a higher risk of developing bowel cancer and require surgery to remove large sections of their bowel. Subsequently, some also need regular monitoring.
Researchers studied 55 British patients, who had FAP and had undergone surgery earlier, to examine the effects of Omega 3 PUFA on cutting down the bowel cancer risk. The participants were monitored by endoscopy and assessed for the number and the size of polyps. Twenty-eight of the patients were randomly given Omega 3 and the others were given a placebo.
It was found that the number of polyps increased by 10 percent in the placebo group but fell by 12 percent among those given Omega 3. Also, the average polyp size increased by more than 17 percent among those in the placebo group but fell by 13 percent in the Omega 3 group.
The researchers concluded that Omega-3 is safe and good for the heart as well, so this supplement may be a good choice for those at risk of both bowel cancer and heart disease.
Omega 3 fatty acids seem to be as effective as the prescription medicine used to treat familial bowel polyps. Dietary Omega 3 PUFA (poly unsaturated fatty acid) mainly comes from oily fish, such as salmon, mackerel and herring. People with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) have a higher risk of developing bowel cancer and require surgery to remove large sections of their bowel. Subsequently, some also need regular monitoring.
Researchers studied 55 British patients, who had FAP and had undergone surgery earlier, to examine the effects of Omega 3 PUFA on cutting down the bowel cancer risk. The participants were monitored by endoscopy and assessed for the number and the size of polyps. Twenty-eight of the patients were randomly given Omega 3 and the others were given a placebo.
It was found that the number of polyps increased by 10 percent in the placebo group but fell by 12 percent among those given Omega 3. Also, the average polyp size increased by more than 17 percent among those in the placebo group but fell by 13 percent in the Omega 3 group.
The researchers concluded that Omega-3 is safe and good for the heart as well, so this supplement may be a good choice for those at risk of both bowel cancer and heart disease.
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