A new study published in the International Journal of Cancer suggests that higher blood levels of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids may be associated with a reduced risk of various cancers, including colon, stomach, lung, and other gastrointestinal cancers.
The research, drawing on data from the UK Biobank and involving over 250,000 participants, provides insights into the potential protective role of these fatty acids against cancer.
The study analyzed health data over several decades, during which approximately 30,000 participants were diagnosed with various forms of cancer. Researchers found that individuals with elevated levels of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids had lower incidences of certain cancers. Specifically, high omega-6 levels were linked to a reduced risk of 14 types of cancer, including brain cancer, malignant melanoma, and bladder cancer. Omega-3 levels were associated with a lower risk of five cancers, including colon and stomach cancers.
“These findings suggest that the average person should focus on incorporating more omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids into their diet,” said Yuchen Zhang, lead researcher and a doctoral candidate at the University of Georgia’s College of Public Health, as reported by Newsmax.
According to the researchers, these fatty acids appear to have protective effects independent of other cancer risk factors such as body mass index (BMI), alcohol use, or physical activity.
Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, considered essential “healthy fats” for human health, naturally occur in fatty fish like salmon and sardines, as well as in nuts, seeds, and vegetable oils such as canola and corn oil. Despite their availability in food sources, many Americans may not consume adequate amounts of these fats, leading to widespread use of fish oil supplements to meet dietary recommendations.
While the study underscores the cancer-preventive potential of these fatty acids, researchers note that the protective effects may vary among individuals. For example, they observed that high omega-3 intake might slightly elevate the risk of prostate cancer in some cases.
“For women, it’s an easy decision: Eat more omega-3,” said Kaixiong Ye, a study co-author and associate professor at the University of Georgia’s Franklin College of Arts and Sciences.
The research aligns with prior studies linking these fatty acids to reduced cancer risk and reinforces the importance of omega-3 and omega-6 in daily diets.
With input from the Jerusalem Post.
