this year, and around 40, women will die from the disease. One of the most aggressive types of breast cancer is HER2-positive breast cancer , wherein breast tumors contain increased levels of the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 HER2 protein, which promotes the growth of breast cancer cells.

Around 25 percent of breast cancers are HER2-positive. Previous research has found that omega-3 fatty acids may stave off breast cancer development, but are certain types of omega-3 more effective than others? Ma and colleagues wanted to find out. There are two types of omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil: one is eicosapentaenoic acid EPA and the other is docosahexaenoic acid DHA.

The third type of omega-3 is the plant-based a-linolenic acid ALA , which is found in soy, canola oil, and flaxseed. For their study, Prof. Ma and colleagues compared the effects of these three types of omega-3 on breast tumor development in mice that were bred to develop HER2-positive breast cancer.

Each mouse was exposed to one of the three different omega-3s from before birth, which allowed the researchers to get a better idea of how the fatty acids impact tumor development. The team found that mice exposed to the fish oil-derived omega-3s EPA and DHA experienced a 60—70 percent reduction in tumor size, as well as a 30 percent decrease in the number of breast tumors.

The same doses of plant-based ALA did not have the same impact against breast cancer tumors as EPA and DHA. To get the same effect, the mice had to be exposed to much higher doses of ALA. Overall, the team found that EPA and DHA were eight times more effective at preventing the development of breast cancer tumors than ALA.

Ma and team explain that omega-3 fatty acids can prevent cancer development by activating specific genes that aid immune system function, which inhibits pathways responsible for tumor growth.

Based on their results, the researchers suggest that EPA and DHA are the best omega-3 fatty acids for this protective effect. What is more, the doses used in their study suggest that women could reap the rewards of EPA and DHA by consuming two to three servings of fatty fish — such as salmon, tuna, and trout — per week.

In future research, the team plans to investigate how the three omega-3 fatty acids affect the development of other breast cancer types. Get the facts on Zoladex's dosages.

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Cancerwise 08 3 nutrients cancer survivors should know. Jump To:. August 09, Omega-3 fatty acids Omega-3 fatty acids have several health benefits.

Flaxseed Although flaxseed is classified as an omega-3, it has additional health benefits. Iron Iron plays an important role in producing hemoglobin — the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body.

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Epidemiological evidence 4. Current consumption levels 6. Dietary recommendations 7. Links 8. Diet, Nutrition, Physical Activity and Cancer: a Global Perspective. Continuous Update Project Expert Report london, UK: World Cancer Research Fund; [cited Apr 7].

National Health and Medical Research Council. Australian dietary guidelines. Sinha R, Kulldorff M, Chow WH, Denobile J, Rothman N. Dietary intake of heterocyclic amines, meat-derived mutagenic activity, and risk of colorectal adenomas.

Bingham SA. Epidemiology and mechanisms relating diet to risk of colorectal cancer. Turesky RJ. Formation and biochemistry of carcinogenic heterocyclic aromatic amines in cooked meats. Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Obesity Introduction. Policy context.

The finding contradicts the widespread belief that these supplements at usual doses protect the heart. A large trial of 25, men and women in the United States compared the impact of taking about 1g a day of omega-3 fatty acid supplements with placebo on major cardiovascular events and invasive cancer.

The results are consistent with a recent large Cochrane review assessing omega-3 fatty acids. The trial provides fresh evidence to support current recommendations that omega-3 fatty acid supplements in usual doses should not be offered for the prevention of cardiovascular disease. It also provides new evidence that they do not reduce the risk of cancer.

This may not be the end of the story though as other research into other doses exists. There are approximately , deaths from cardiovascular disease in the UK each year and , cancer deaths. The combined annual healthcare costs of these diseases total around £ Several observational studies have associated higher intake of omega-3 fatty acids with reduced risks of cardiovascular disease and cancer.

However, trials testing the effect of various doses of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on cardiovascular disease outcomes or cancer risk have shown inconsistent results. The VITAL randomised controlled trial was conducted to address this knowledge gap. It also looked at whether Vitamin D reduced either risk, though the results are reported in a separate paper.

The omega-3 arm of the VITAL trial involved 12, men aged 50 or older and 13, women aged 55 or over in the United States, including 5, black participants. They were randomised to take omega-3 fatty acids or placebo from November to March None had cardiovascular disease or cancer at baseline.

Annual questionnaires were used to assess whether people were continuing to take the supplements, had any side effects or had developed any major illnesses up until December This is the dose recommended for cardiovascular protection by the American Heart Association for people with a history of cardiovascular disease.

NICE guidance on cardiovascular disease risk states that there is no evidence that routine omega-3 fatty acid supplements help prevent cardiovascular disease.

It says that omega-3 fatty acid supplements should not be offered for primary or secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease, or to people with chronic kidney disease, type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

However, people at high risk of or with existing cardiovascular disease are advised to eat at least two portions of fish each week, including a portion of oily fish, and at least four to five portions of nuts, seeds and legumes.

This large trial in an ethnically diverse population supports current NICE guidance that omega-3 supplements at this dose do not prevent cardiovascular disease. Neither should they be recommended to reduce the risk of cancer. People should continue eating foods that are rich in omega-3, including oily fish, nuts and seeds, which are an important part of a healthy diet.

Because of the remaining uncertainty about dose, this is unlikely to be the last word on this issue. Manson JE, Cook NR, Lee IM et al; VITAL Research Group. Marine n-3 fatty acids and prevention of cardiovascular disease and cancer.

N Engl J Med. This study was funded by grants U01 CA and R01 CA from the National Cancer Institute, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, the Office of Dietary Supplements, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, and the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.

Abdelhamid AS, Brown TJ, Brainard JS et al. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. Bhatt DL, Steg PG, Miller M et al. Cardiovascular risk reduction with icosapent ethyl for hypertriglyceridemia. Keaney JF, Rosen CJ. VITAL signs for dietary supplementation to prevent cancer and heart disease.

Cardiovascular disease risk assessment and reduction, including lipid modification. London: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence; , updated Carrot and Apple Soup.

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