How To Use Fish Oil
Although you may expect fish oil to be a liquid, its available in softgel form. You can generally find fish oil supplements at your local pharmacy or grocery store.
Its important to remember that the omega-3s in the fish oil are whats important. A standard 1,000-milligram dose of fish oil only contains about 300 milligrams of omega-3s. A 500-milligram dose of omega-3s is considered average. To meet the average dose, you may need to take more than one fish oil softgel.
If youre interested in adding fish oil to your regimen, you should meet with your doctor. They can help guide you through the process and discuss any potential risks.
What Are Fish Oil Supplements
Fish oil comes from oily fish and certain shellfish. Examples of oily fish include salmon, tuna, and trout. Fish oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation and help with muscle activity.1
Our body cannot make omega-3 fatty acids on its own. We get omega-3 fatty acids from food. Fish oil contains 2 omega-3 fatty acids: docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid. Some nuts and vegetable oils contain another omega-3 fatty acid: alpha-linolenic acid.1
Many people take fish oil supplements to increase their omega-3 intake. This is because of potential health benefits. Fish oil has been researched for its potential benefits for:1
- Anxiety and depression
Whether fish oil has a benefit for some of these conditions is uncertain. The most established benefit is that it lowers the risk of dying of heart disease.1
Prostate Cancer Risk And Omega
It is generally reassuring when we read health advice that contains a clear message, especially when the advice involves something pleasurable. For instance, eat dark chocolate, and wash it down with red wine . But confusion and consternation abound when research produces a mixed message that seems contrary to previous advice. After years of hearing that eating fatty fish or taking fish oil supplements was good for the heart, the eyes, and even mood, the public was puzzled this summer by a study that suggested a risk of prostate cancer in men with high levels of omega-3 fatty acids obtained from these sources.
Although conclusions in research are subject to change, in this instance, investigators not connected to the fish oil study complained that the headline-hungry media did not cover all of the facts. They also charged that the headlines were potentially harmful and that the findings were tainted by overreach. A closer look at the study is warranted.
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Purpose Of This Summary
This PDQ cancer information summary has current information about the use of nutrition and dietary supplements for reducing the risk of developing prostate cancer or for treating prostate cancer. It is meant to inform and help patients, families, and caregivers. It does not give formal guidelines or recommendations for making decisions about health care.
Questions To Ask Your Health Care Provider About Cam
When considering complementary and alternative therapies, patients should ask their health care provider the following questions:
- What side effects can be expected?
- What are the risks related to this therapy?
- What benefits can be expected from this therapy?
- Do the known benefits outweigh the risks?
- Will the therapy affect conventional treatment?
- Is this therapy part of a clinical trial?
- If so, who is the sponsor of the trial?
- Will the therapy be covered by health insurance?
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Further Clarification Is Needed
Papers published since the Brasky study question the message promoted by media. First, correlation does not necessarily mean cause-and-effect. Second, omega-3 fatty acids have 3 components: eicosapentaenoic acid , docosapentaenoic acid , and docosahexaenoic acid if analyzed separately, there seems to be a greater correlation with DHA than the other two. Many have pointed out that more research is needed on whether the source makes a difference. Others have demonstrated a lower risk of PCa among men with higher blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids. More research is needed to ultimately clarify whether fish oil supplements pose a PCa protection or hazard.
Are Blood Levels Of Omega
Blog Post
Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in U.S. men, with annual mortality of approximately 32,000. Nearly 175,000 new cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed in the U.S. per year.
Inflammation plays a role in many types of cancer, including prostate cancer. A number of variables such as obesity and diet have been shown to be related to inflammation. For example, long-chain polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory effects. These fatty acids, otherwise known as fish oils, are found mostly in fatty fish and dietary supplements and have also been shown to be beneficial for cardiovascular health. While most studies have not shown an association between fish oils and prostate cancer, there was one large study published in 2013 that did show an increased risk of prostate cancer, particularly more aggressive cancer, with increased blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids. Thus, the goal of the current study was to examine the relationship between baseline levels of omega-3 fatty acids and prostate cancer development in a sample of healthy men. A secondary goal of this study was to add our findings to an existing meta-analysis of similar studies.
Our main findings were as follows:
Conclusion
References
Help us guide the world to better health
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Lycopene: Questions And Answers
Lycopene is a carotenoid . It mixes with or dissolves in fats. Lycopene protects plants from light-related stress and helps them use the energy of the sun to make nutrients. Lycopene is found in fruits and vegetables like tomatoes, apricots, guavas, and watermelons.
The main source of lycopene in the United States is tomato-based products. Lycopene is easier for the body to use when it is eaten in processed tomato products like tomato paste and tomato puree than in raw tomatoes.
Lycopene has been studied for its role in the prevention of heart and blood vessel disease.
Lycopene may be eaten in food or taken in dietary supplements.
For information on laboratory and animal studies done using lycopene, see the Laboratory/Animal/Preclinical Studies section of the health professional version of Prostate Cancer, Nutrition, and Dietary Supplements.
Population studies and clinical trials have been done to find out if lycopene can prevent or treat prostate cancer. Clinical trials have shown mixed results some studies have shown a lower risk of prostate cancer or a decrease in prostate-specific antigen level, and others have not. There is not enough evidence to know whether lycopene can prevent or treat prostate cancer.
Population and combined studies
Why You Should Take Krill Oil
The only problem is that a lot of Omega 3 supplements tend to use low-quality fish oils. These can become rancid and cause indigestion. Although they might be cheaper, they are less effective.
Krill Oil is, without a doubt, the best and most effective means of getting your dose of Omega 3. Its more potent, sourced from clean waters, meaning its unpolluted and more bioavailable.
If 70% of your fatty acid intake is not from Omega 3, you will suffer from high cholesterol levels, a higher risk of cancer, and even cardiovascular problems down the line. So finding a potent and effectively absorbed source of omega 3 is an integral part of your dietary supplements.
My Wild Antarctic Krill Oil is sourced from pure and unpolluted waters and as a result, does not need any processing, meaning it is Pure, Natural and Virgin pretty much its the best money can buy.
To find out more about my Wild Antarctic Krill Oil, .
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What About The Prostate Gland
In 2013, a paper published by Brasky, et al. threatened to tarnish the good name of fish oil supplements. Using data from the SELECT Trial, the Brasky team found a correlation between higher blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids and greater risk of prostate cancer . In fact, they calculated a 44% higher risk of low-grade PCa and a 71% increased risk of high-grade PCa. This startling association was picked up by the media, creating confusion among doctors and their patients, especially men at risk of PCa or currently diagnosed with it.
The Link Between Omega 3 And Prostate Cancer
The study was conducted by researchers from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Ohio State University, who set out to look at the correlation between Omega 3 levels and the risk of prostate cancer.
Through a case-control study, comparing blood samples from 834 men diagnosed with prostate cancer with those from 1,393 men not diagnosed with the disease, the study found that there was an increased risk of prostate cancer among men with high blood concentrations of Omega 3 fats, resulting in the following:
- 44% increased the risk of low-grade prostate cancer
- 71% increased the risk of high-grade prostate cancer
- 43% increased the risk of total prostate cancer
But dont panic!
It is also important to know that this is just one study, and there are several other studies that suggest fish oil is actually linked to a lower risk of prostate cancer.
Although the results of this study may have you throwing away your fish oil capsules, it should be noted that there are several inconsistencies.
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Problems With The Study
Just because the presence of fish oils seems to be connected to prostate cancer in some way doesnt mean that it is causing the cancer to occur. Also, were the men in the study getting a lot of fish oils in their diet or were they taking supplements? The study doesnt say. So the problem could potentially lie in a supplement and not a food. Were the men smokers? Did they have a family history of cancer? Were they all exposed to similar chemicals or toxins? Did any of them exercise? Because the study wasnt directly about this, there isnt any data to show that the connection isnt a coincidence.
The fact is that we can all benefit from eating a balanced diet in moderation, drinking a lot of water, and exercising on a regular basis. When we try to get more specific than that, it seems like conventional wisdom changes on an almost daily basis.
To Learn More About Cam
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health at the National Institutes of Health facilitates research and evaluation of complementary and alternative practices, and provides information about a variety of approaches to health professionals and the public.
- NCCIH Clearinghouse
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Health Benefits Of Omega
Rheumatoid arthritis.Fish oilsupplements may curb stiffness and joint pain. Omega-3 supplements also seem to boost the effectiveness of anti-inflammatory drugs.
Depression. Some researchers have found that cultures that eat foods with high levels of omega-3s have lower levels of depression. The effects of fish oil supplements on depression has been mixed. More research is needed to see if it can make a difference.
Baby development. DHA appears to be important for visual and neurological development in infants.
Asthma. A diet high in omega-3s lowers inflammation, a key component in asthma. But more studies are needed to show if fish oil supplements improve lung function or cut the amount of medication a person needs to control the condition.
ADHD. Some studies show that fish oil can reduce the symptoms of ADHD in some children and improve their mental skills, like thinking, remembering, and learning. But more research is needed in this area, and omega-3 supplements should not be used as a primary treatment.
Alzheimerâs disease and dementia. Some research suggests that omega-3s may help protect against Alzheimerâs disease and dementia, and have a positive effect on gradual memory loss linked to aging. But thatâs not certain yet.
You Cant Make Assumptions In Health Reporting
While the study didnt explicitly mention fish oil supplements or dietary intake of fish, these men were clearly getting their omega-3s somehow.
Many of us would assume they were taking supplements. However, we dont know, so we cant make assumptions.
There is no evidence that anyone in this study took fish oil supplements, so writers shouldnt be claiming or implying that supplements cause an increased prostate cancer risk.
All we should report, to be fair, is exactly what the study found: High levels of omega-3s in the blood may be associated with an increased risk in prostate cancer.
Does that mean men concerned about their prostate cancer risk should stop taking fish oil supplements cut out fatty fish from their diets?
Herein lies the problem with research: One study cant answer that level of detail.
However, there are ways to mention fish oil supplements without directly associating them with the study outcomes. For example, a writer could find a medical expert willing to offer a quote that this study does mean you should stop taking your fish oil supplements.
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Other Treatment Options For Prostate Cancer
If youve been diagnosed with prostate cancer, there are many treatment options available to you. Your doctor and oncologist will recommend the best treatments for you. These treatments may include:
- Radiation If your cancer is low grade, your doctor may recommend radiation to limit the spread of the disease.
- Watching and waiting Your doctor may recommend a surveillance treatment if the cancer is slow-growing, such as prostate cancer. You and your doctor will monitor any progression through regular appointments and perhaps an occasional blood test.
- Vaccine treatment A vaccine called sipuleucel-T has been made to fight prostate cancer cells. This vaccine is unlike other vaccines, which help the body fight infections. Check with your doctor to see if this treatment is right for you.
- Hormone therapy Your doctor may recommend hormone therapy to keep tumors from getting bigger. This therapy works by reducing the number of male hormones in the body. These hormones are what may trigger the effects of prostate cancer.
Modified Citrus Pectin: Questions And Answers
In This Section
Side effects that have been reported include itching, stomach upset, abdominalcramps, increased gas, and diarrhea.
The FDA has not approved the use of MCP as a treatment for cancer or any other medical condition.
MCP is available in the United States in food products and dietary supplements. The FDA does not approve dietary supplements as safe or effective. The company that makes the dietary supplements is responsible for making sure that they are safe and that the claims on the label are true and do not mislead the consumer. The way that supplements are made is not regulated by the FDA, so all batches and brands of MCP supplements may not be the same.
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Combined Vitamin D Omega
Objective: The aim of this study was to test the individual and combined benefit of vitamin D, omega-3, and a simple home strength exercise program on the risk of any invasive cancer.
Design: The DO-HEALTH trial is a three-year, multicenter, 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design double-blind, randomized-controlled trial to test the individual and combined benefit of three public health interventions.
Setting: The trial was conducted between December 2012 and December 2017 in five European countries.
Participants: Generally healthy community-dwelling adults 70 years were recruited.
Interventions: Supplemental 2000 IU/day of vitamin D3, and/or 1 g/day of marine omega-3s, and/or a simple home strength exercise programme compared to placebo and control exercise.
Main outcome: In this pre-defined exploratory analysis, time-to-development of any verified invasive cancer was the primary outcome in an adjusted, intent-to-treat analysis.
Results: In total, 2,157 participants were randomized. Over a median follow-up of 2.99 years, 81 invasive cancer cases were diagnosed and verified. For the three individual treatments, the adjusted hazard ratios were 0.76 for vitamin D3, 0.70 for omega-3s, and 0.74 for SHEP. For combinations of two treatments, adjusted HRs were 0.53 for omega-3s plus vitamin D3 0.56 for vitamin D3 plus SHEP and 0.52 for omega-3s plus SHEP. For all three treatments combined, the adjusted HR was 0.39 .
Additional Studies Indicate Substantial Benefit With Increased Intake Of Omega
The report attacking omega-3s conflicts with prior studies demonstrating that increased intake of omega-3 fats has been shown to reduce prostate cancer risk and diets high in omega-6 fats are associated with greater risk. The analysis also suggests a relationship between increased omega-6 fatty acid levels and decreased risk of prostate cancer, which is, again, utterly inconsistent with the known pro-inflammatory effects of omega-6 fatty acids.
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Will This Flawed Report Prompt An Epidemic Of Prostate Cancer
Regrettably, the public is poorly served by relying on a sound-bite frenzied news media for health data, which often involves parading a provocative medical headline without a deep, thorough evaluation of the studys validity.
This science by ambush denies an opportunity for meaningful rebuttal, since the media never wants to admit last weeks headline news story was bogus.
The average percentage difference of plasma long-chain omega-3 fatty acids from a single baseline test renders this study meaningless. The authors dont even know if their study subjects were eating fish or taking fish oil supplements. We at Life Extension have criticized certain studies that solely rely on food questionnaires, but this attack on omega-3s didnt even attempt to ascertain if study subjects were ingesting the nutrient in question. Yet its authors presumptuously warn of potential risks in consuming supplemental omega-3s!
The lack of rigor, as well as multiple layers of methodological problems and errors, notwithstanding the complete lack of consistency with the known, well-established biology and biochemistry of prostate cancer should prompt outrage in the scientific and medical community.
The danger of this deeply flawed, compromised analysis is that aging men obtaining health information through the mainstream media will cease omega-3 fatty acid ingestion.
Educated health consumers should continue to ingest omega-3 fatty acids.