People with colorectal cancer are less likely to die from it when they consume a lot of omega-3s, especially found in fatty fish.
Omega-3s contribute to our good health. In some cases, they could even prevent deaths. A study published in the British Medical Journal suggests that these fatty acids reduce the likelihood of dying from colon cancer, for patients with this condition.
Study on 170,000 people
To reach these conclusions, the researchers analyzed data from two large long-term studies. One concerns the health of 121,700 American nurses between the ages of 30 and 55. The other followed more than 50,000 male healthcare professionals, aged 40 to 75, over the period 1986 to 2010. Every two years, participants answered a detailed questionnaire on their medical history and lifestyle. . Colon cancer diagnosis, height, weight, smoking, taking aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, exercise: many factors were taken into account.
Scientists also broke down their diet using a questionnaire. For each category of nutrients, volunteers were asked to indicate the frequency of intake, from “never” to “6 times a day”.
Confirm data
Of the participants, 1,659 developed colon cancer, of which about a third died within the next ten years. A total of 169 deaths could be attributed directly to the disease, the others being due to cardiovascular disease, or other associated cancers, for example.
Indeed, patients with this type of cancer who took 0.3 g of omega-3 per day had a 41% lower risk of dying compared to those who consumed only 0.1 g. Increasing your intake after cancer diagnosis also has an influence: an increase of 0.15 g is associated with a 70% lower risk. On the contrary, lowering the intake increases it by 10%. These effects are observed both for sources of omega-3 food, especially from oily fish, and for supplements in the form of tablets for example. They are especially true for people who are tall, with a body mass index of less than 25, or who consume little aspirin.
The study authors found that people with this cancer who took a lot of omega-3s were also more likely to exercise, take vitamins, and fiber, and drink alcohol. . In contrast, they were less likely than others to smoke. Elements to be taken into account in the analysis of the results. The researchers specify that their study is observational and does not allow to conclude on a possible cause and effect relationship. Further studies will be necessary and could lead to recommendations for patients if the hypothesis is confirmed.
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