By eating a serving of fatty fish once or twice a week, you can protect your heart and help ward off stroke. Now there is preliminary evidence that the omega-3 fatty acids found in cold-water fish may also be a useful adjunct to cancer treatment. Researchers at Louisiana State University found that fish oils slowed tumor growth in laboratory mice and rats. It’s too early to assure that humans will have the same positive response, but I’m heartened by a study showing that breast-cancer patients who consumed higher levels of omega-3s had an improved response to chemotherapy. Still, there’s no definitive proof that fish oils can fight cancer in human. You’ve got plenty of other reasons to enjoy salmon or tuna, however, so why not put these fish on your weekly menu? You can also choose to take a fish-oil supplement instead, especially if your appetite is weak or if you’re concerned about mercury contamination.
Next: Why can kids tolerate cold pool better than adults?
Previous: Why do you get hairier when you are pregnant?
"Can fish oils fight cancer?" was posted on Wednesday, November 28th, 2007 at 8:28 am.