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ATHENS, Ga. — Feeling down about your cholesterol and brain health? There may be a silver lining – the same nutrients that help keep your heart and mind in tip-top shape could also be guarding against cancer. New research suggests upping your intake of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids may lower your risk of developing a wide range of cancers.
The study, published in the International Journal of Cancer and led by doctoral student Yuchen Zhang at the University of Georgia, analyzed data from over 250,000 people in the United Kingdom. The participants were followed for more than 10 years, during which nearly 30,000 of them were diagnosed with some form of cancer.
The remarkable findings show that higher levels of omega-3s were linked to lower rates of colon, stomach, and lung cancer, as well as other digestive tract cancers. Meanwhile, people with elevated omega-6 levels had a reduced risk of 14 different cancer types, including brain, skin, bladder, and more.
“These findings suggest that the average person should focus on getting more of these fatty acids in their diets,” says Zhang in a university release.
Omega-3s and omega-6s are considered “healthy fats” and are essential for proper bodily function. You can find them in foods like fatty fish, nuts, seeds, and some plant oils.
The protective effects of these nutrients weren’t dependent on other lifestyle factors like weight, alcohol use, or physical activity levels. In other words, the cancer-fighting benefits seemed to hold true regardless of someone’s overall health profile.
There were a few caveats, however. The researchers found that high omega-3 levels could be linked to a slightly elevated risk of prostate cancer in men. The protective effect of omega-6 was stronger in younger participants, especially women.
“For women, it’s an easy decision: Eat more omega-3,” says Kaixiong Ye, the study’s corresponding author.
However, he noted that the decision to take fish oil supplements isn’t one-size-fits-all, and individuals should consult their doctor. Previous research has shown that omega-3 pills can help lower cholesterol and heart disease risk.
So, how exactly do these fatty acids fight off cancer? The researchers aren’t entirely sure, but they suspect omega-3s and omega-6s may help regulate inflammation and cell growth within the body – two key processes that can go awry in cancer. More research is necessary to pinpoint the mechanisms at play.
In the meantime, consider adding more salmon, walnuts, and flaxseeds to your diet. Your heart, brain, and maybe even your cancer risk could benefit.
Paper Summary
Methodology
This study, conducted using data from the UK Biobank, looked at the levels of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in the blood of over 250,000 participants and tracked them over an average of 13 years to see who developed cancer. By examining actual blood levels (rather than diet recall or self-reporting), the researchers aimed to get an accurate picture of how these fats might relate to cancer risk. They used statistical models to see if people with higher levels of omega-3 or omega-6 had lower or higher risks of various types of cancer.
Key Results
The study found that both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids were generally associated with a slightly lower overall risk of developing cancer. Specifically:
- Omega-6: Linked to a decreased risk of overall cancer and a protective effect against many site-specific cancers.
- Omega-3: Showed protective links against some specific cancers, like lung and colon cancer, but was associated with a slight increase in prostate cancer risk.
In short, while higher levels of these fatty acids were beneficial against most cancers, omega-3 levels were linked to a slightly higher risk of prostate cancer.
Study Limitations
This study has a few limitations:
- Population: The study focused mainly on the UK population, which might not represent other groups or diets.
- Observational Nature: Since this was not a randomized study, other factors might influence the observed associations.
- Single Measurement: Fatty acid levels were measured only once, which might not fully reflect long-term exposure.
- Unmeasured Confounders: Despite adjustments, unmeasured lifestyle or genetic factors could still influence cancer risk.
Discussion & Takeaways
This study suggests that higher blood levels of omega-3 and omega-6 may offer a protective effect against many types of cancer. However, the findings also highlight a possible risk factor for prostate cancer associated with omega-3 levels, emphasizing the importance of balanced intake. Future studies should confirm these findings in different populations and settings, ideally using multiple measurements over time.
Funding & Disclosures
The study was funded by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences under grant number R35GM143060. The study authors declared no conflicts of interest.