Prostate cancer: less fat and more Omega 3 slow its development

Taking omega three from fish oil and following a low-fat dietary regimen may make prostate cancer less aggressive. In fact, this combination would reduce the presence of pro-inflammatory molecules in the blood and be able to slow the proliferation of cancer cells. Diet, and in particular the ratio of Omega-3 to Omega-6 intake, may therefore influence disease progression. The finding, made by researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, USA, and published in Cancer Prevention Research, stems from a study conducted in 2011 in order to establish the effects of diet on cancer biology.

Pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory fatty acids

Omega-3 fatty acids, in which fish oil is rich, perform several biological functions that are essential for the proper functioning of the body. They are components of cell membranes and possess a strong anti-inflammatory action. In contrast to omega-3, omega-6 promotes inflammation, which, as now established by various studies, is a condition associated with many diseases, including cancer. Omega-6s are found primarily in the vegetable-type oils in which foods routinely consumed in the Western world are rich

The effects of a low-fat diet 

The scientists, led by Professor Williams Aronson, involved 55 patients close to having their prostate removed due to cancer in the trial. In the 4-6 weeks before the operation, a randomly selected group of these patients followed a low-fat diet with only 15 percent total calories, 15 percent from protein and 70 percent from carbohydrates. They also consumed 5 grams of fish oil daily, corresponding to 1000mg of EPA and 1880mg of DHA, bringing the omega-6:omega-3 ratio to 2:1. In contrast, a control group followed a typical Western diet, rich in animal and vegetable fats: 45% of calories from fat, 15% from protein and 45% from carbohydrates, with an omega-6:omega-3 ratio of 15:1.

After treatment, in the group that had followed the low-fat diet and taken Omega-3, analysis of prostate tissue showed a reduction in the rate of cancer cell division. A slowdown not observed in the control group, however. In addition, in subjects treated with omega-3 supplements and diet, prostate cell membranes showed a high amount of Omega-3 and a low concentration of Omega-6, compared with patients in the other group. Serum analysis also revealed that patients with reduced cell proliferation rate possessed, compared with the control group, a lower concentration of leukotriene B4, a pro-inflammatory substance

More Omega-3 less Omega-6 to slow down cancer

According to researchers, the intake of Omega-3, accompanied by a diet low in fat and thus cholesterol and Omega-6, changes the composition of cell membranes and thus the biology of the cell. Indeed, membranes are responsible for the transmission of signals within cells that regulate various mechanisms, including cell division. The role of leukotriene B4, and in particular that of a receptor, to which this molecule binds, present on prostate cancer cells remains to be clarified. In this regard, the same team of researchers is developing new research involving 100 men with prostate cancer, treated with fish oil and a low-fat diet, in order to elucidate the mechanisms linking cell division and diet.  

Sources:Colette Galet, Kiran Gollapudi, Sevan Stepanian,Joshua Bryant Byrd,Susanne M. Henning, Tristan Grogan, David Elashoff, David Heber,Jonathan W. Said, Pinchas Cohen, and William J. Aronson "Effect of a Low-fat Fish Oil Diet on Pro-inflammatory Eicosanoids and Cell Cycle Progression Score in Men Undergoing Radical Prostatectomy." Cancer Prev Res October 29, 2013 William J. Aronson, Naoko Kobayashi, R. James Barnard, Susanne Henning, Min Huang, Patricia M. Jardack, Bingrong Liu, Ashley Gray, Junxiang Wan, Ramdev Konijeti, Stephen J. Freedland, Brandon Castor, David Heber, David Elashoff, Jonathan Said, Pinchas Cohen, and Colette Galet "Phase II Prospective Randomized Trial of a Low-Fat Diet with Fish Oil Supplementation in Men Undergoing Radical Prostatectomy." Cancer Prev Res 2011;4:2062-2071.