A recent study suggests that omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids found in fish oil supplements may help protect against cancer. Researchers discovered that participants with higher omega-3 levels experienced lower rates of colon, stomach, lung, and other digestive tract cancers. Similarly, elevated omega-6 levels were linked to a reduction in the incidence of 14 types of cancer, including brain, melanoma, and bladder cancers.
As reported by medicinenet, Lead researcher Yuchen Zhang, a doctoral student at the University of Georgia’s College of Public Health, recommended that people focus on increasing these fatty acids in their diets. The study, based on data from over 253,000 participants in the UK Biobank research project, tracked participants’ health for decades. Of these individuals, nearly 30,000 developed some form of cancer.
Notably, the benefits of high omega-3 and omega-6 levels were observed independently of other cancer risk factors such as BMI, alcohol consumption, or physical activity. These fatty acids are found in fatty fish, nuts, and plant-based oils, though many people turn to fish oil supplements to ensure they get enough.
However, the researchers cautioned that the benefits of omega-3s are not universal, as high levels of these fatty acids may slightly increase the risk of prostate cancer. For women, however, the recommendation is clear: consuming more omega-3 fatty acids is beneficial.