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A meta-analysis of 38 articles found that few made a statistically significant link between omega-3 consumption and cancer. Of those, there appeared to be a significant association with both increased and decreased risk of breast, lung and prostate cancer.
There is no strong evidence that a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids reduces the risk of developing cancer, say US researchers.
A meta-analysis of 38 articles found that few made a statistically significant link between omega-3 consumption and cancer. Of those, there appeared to be a significant association with both increased and decreased risk of breast, lung and prostate cancer. Furthermore, a study that assessed the link with skin cancer found that diets high in omega-3 put patients at a significantly higher risk.
The authors say: "Considering these data together, there is no overall trend... that is, omega-3 fatty acids appear not to affect a mechanism of cancer development that is common across the different types of cancer." While their results dispute laboratory findings, they conclude that omega-3 rich diets appear to confer no cancer protection.
JAMA 2006; 295: 403-15
Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.
Copyright CMP Information Ltd. Feb 4, 2006