The American Society for Clinical Nutrition explains that
modern Western diets typically have omega-6 to omega-3 intake ratios in excess of 10 to 1, with some as high as 30 to 1. The optimal ratio is thought to be 4 to 1 or lower. Many studies point out the importance of maintaining an optimal balance between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in the diet. One strategy to increase the omega-3 fatty acid intake would be to consume more fatty fish.
If eating more mercury-free fish isn’t possible, dietary supplements are readily available.
Effects on Breast Health The EPIC study, a large population study performed in France, indicated an association between omega-3 fatty acids intake, especially EPA and DHA [the active metabolites of omega-3 fatty acids], and a protective effect against breast cancer. Fur- ther studies are needed. Laboratory studies of breast cancer cells in the US and
around the world show that omega-3 fatty acids, especially EPA and DHA, do display anticarcinogenic actions; they have been shown to slow down breast cancer cell growth and migration and stimulate breast cancer cell death. Other have shown that omega-3 enriched diets may suppress tumors and also enhance the efficiency effects of antitumor drugs. Consequently, clinical trials are underway to explore the
potential value of incorporating omega-3 fatty acids in conven- tional cancer treatment to help enhance the treatments effec- tiveness or prevent the ill effects of the drug treatment. Studies are in their early stages and no definitive answers are available.
References: Gogos CA, Skoutelis A, Kalfarentzos F. The effects of lipids on the immune response of patients with cancer. J Nutr Health Aging. 2000;4(3):172-5. Review.
Gogos CA, Ginopoulos P, Salsa B, Apostolidou E, Zoumbos NC, Kalfarentzos F. Dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids plus vitamin E restore immunodeficiency and prolong survival for severely ill patients with generalized malignancy: a randomized control trial. Cancer. 1998 Jan 15;82(2):395-402.
Gogos CA, Ginopoulos P, Zoumbos NC, Apostolidou E, Kalfarentzos F. The effect of dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on T-lymphocyte subsets of patients with solid tumors. Cancer Detect Prev. 1995;19(5):415-7.
U.S. Cancer Statistics Working Group. United States Cancer Statistics: 1999– 2006 Incidence and Mortality Web-based Report. Atlanta (GA): Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and National Cancer Institute; 2010. Available at:
http://www.cdc.gov/uscs.
Pfeilschifter J, Diel IJ. Osteoporosis due to cancer treatment: pathogenesis and management. J Clin Oncol 2000;18:1570-93.
Coleman RE, Banks LM, Girgis SI, et al. Skeletal effects of exemestane on bone- mineral density, bone biomarkers, and fracture incidence in postmenopausal women with early breast cancer participating in the Intergroup Exemestane Study (IES): a randomized controlled study. Lancet Oncol 2007;8:119-27.
Waltman NL, Ott CD, Twiss JJ, Gross GJ, Lindsey AM, Moore TE. Bone mineral density and bone turnover in postmenopausal women treated for breast cancer. Cancer Nurs 2008; 31:182-90.
Hibbeln, Joseph R.; N; B; R; L. “Healthy intakes of n−3 and n−6 fatty acids: estimations considering worldwide diversity”. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (American Society for Nutrition) 2006 ; 83 (6, supplement):1483S– 1493S.
http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/full/83/6/S1483.
Okuyama, Hirohmi; Ichikawa, Yuko; Sun, Yueji; Hamazaki, Tomohito; Lands, William E.M. “ω3 fatty acids effectively prevent coronary heart disease and other late-onset diseases: the excessive linoleic acid syndrome”. World Review of Nutritional Dietetics (Karger) 2007;96:83–103.
Cordain L, Eaton SB, Sebastian A, Mann N, Lindeberg S, Watkins BA, O’Keefe JH, Brand-Miller JAm J Clin Nutr. Origins and evolution of the Western diet: health implications for the 21st century.. Am J Clin Nutr. 2005 Feb;81(2):341-54.
Albertazzi P, Coupland K. Polyunsaturated fatty acids. Is there a role in postmenopausal osteoporosis prevention? Maturitas 2002;42:13-22.
Weiss LA, Barrett-Connor E, von Muhlen D. Ratio of n-6 to n-3 fatty acids and bone mineral density in older adults: the Rancho Bernardo Study. Am J Clin Nutr 2005; 81:934-8.
Duplus E, Glorian M, Forest C. Fatty acid regulation of gene transcription. J Biol Chem 2000; 275:30749-52.
Maggio M, Artoni A, Lauretani F, et al. The Impact of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Osteoporosis. Current Pharmaceutical Designs 2009;15:4157-4164.
Cottet V, Touvier M, Fournier A, Touillaud MS, Lafay L, Clavel-Chapelon F, Boutron-Ruault MC. Postmenopausal breast cancer risk and dietary patterns in the E3N-EPIC prospective cohort study. Am J Epidemiol. 2009 ;170(10):1257-67.
Shaikh IA, Brown I, Wahle KW, Heys SD. Enhancing cytotoxic therapies for breast and prostate cancers with polyunsaturated fatty acids. Nutr Cancer. 2010;62(3):284-96.
Lisa Pesce, University of CT Center on Aging, (860) 679-2305, (860) 679-8023,
Kenyon-pesce@uchc.edu,
http://www.uconn-aging.uchc.edu/
natural awakenings September 2010 51
Effects on Bone Health Other promising epidemiologic and laboratory data suggest that omega-3 fatty acids intake plays an important part in bone health and warding off osteoporosis, but clinical trials are limited. The University of Connecticut Health Center Gen- eral Clinical Research Center is currently conducting a trial, funded by the Connecticut Breast Health Initiative, Inc. The study goal is to determine the effect of a fish oil supplement on bone health in post-menopausal women who have had breast cancer and are taking aromatase inhibitor medication such as Femara and Arimidex. The ultimate goal is to discover alterna- tive, safe and effective therapies to help in the prevention of osteoporosis in women at high risk for osteoporosis.
Anne Kenny, is a medical doctor and Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Connecticut Center of Aging in Farmington, CT. Hongli Dong is a physician-scientist working at the Neag Cancer Center. Lisa Pesce is Research Assistant at the center, and has a Master Degree in Public Health. To learn more
about the study please call 860-679-1658. See ad, page 49.
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