HEALTH ALERT: FATTY ACIDS FOUND IN FISH LOWER BREAST CANCER RISK

FATTY ACIDS FOUND IN FISH LOWER BREAST CANCER RISK

Published June 28 in Food Product Design

Posted in News, Fatty Acids, Omega-3s, Cancer, Fish, Seafood, Science & Research, Frozen / Refrigerated Foods, Frozen Foods, Healthy, Healthy Foods, Functional Foods, Fats/Oils, Immunity, Immune Health, Diet, Nutrition, Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA), Alpha Linolenic Acid (ALA),Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA), Nutraceuticals, Demographic

HANGZHOU, China—Women who consume an increased number of omega-3 fatty acids found naturally in fish like salmon, tuna or sardines are less likely to develop breast cancer, according to a recent study published in the British Medical Journal.

                                                                              Smoked Salmon

Researchers from the Zhejiang University concluded that 0.1 g per day or 0.1% energy per day increments of intake of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) were associated with a 5% reduction in risk. In order to achieve the reduction, oily fish such as salmon, tuna or sardines, should be consumed in 1 to 2 portions per person per week the study concluded.

More than 800,000 women—including 20,000 who had breast cancer—from the United States, Europe and Asia participated in the study to examine n-3 PUFAs and the correlation of decreased cancer risk. Studies suggest that healthy diet and lifestyle is crucial for the prevention of the common cancer.
The n-3 PUFAs include alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which are involved in chemical messaging in the brain, help regulate blood vessel activity and areas of the immune system. The main dietary sources of EPA, DPA and DHA come from oily fish, while ALA is found mainly in nuts, seeds and leafy green vegetables.
Marine n-3 PUFA was associated with a 14% reduction of breast cancer between the highest and lowest category of marine n-3 PUFA intake. The risk was lowest in Asian populations, probably because fish intake is much higher in Asia than in western countries, say the authors.

The researchers concluded by saying, "evidence from either experimental or observational studies suggests a protective effect of marine n-3 PUFA on breast cancer, though no conclusive results have been achieved. Our present study provides solid and robust evidence that marine n-3 PUFA are inversely associated with risk of breast cancer. The protective effect of fish or individual n-3 PUFA warrants further investigation of prospective studies."

A previous study from South Korea showed similar results for women with pre- and postmenopausal state.

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