According to Scientists, This Popular Supplement Can Actually Protect Against Cancer
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Fish oil supplements may help reduce the overall risk of developing cancer.
New research from the University of Georgia suggests that, along with lowering cholesterol, keeping your brain healthy, and improving mental health, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids may also help protect against various types of cancer.
The study relied on data from more than 250,000 people and found that higher levels of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids were associated with a lower risk of developing cancer.
“Higher omega-3 and omega-6 levels were associated with lower rates of cancer,” said Yuchen Zhang, lead author of the study and a doctoral student in UGA’s College of Public Health. “These findings suggest that the average person should focus on getting more of these fatty acids in their diets.”
Participants with higher levels of omega-3s had lower rates of colon, stomach, and lung cancer, in addition to lower rates of other digestive tract cancers.
High omega-6 levels led to lower rates of 14 different cancers, including brain, malignant melanoma, bladder, and more.
Healthy fats reduce the risk of developing 19 types of cancer
The study relied on data from a United Kingdom-based study of over 250,000 people who were followed for more than a decade. Of those participants, almost 30,000 developed some form of cancer during the study period.
Some earlier research drew connections between levels of fatty acids and the risk of developing cancer. However, no studies could conclusively determine whether omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids reduced cancer rates or increased the likelihood of surviving a cancer diagnosis.
Importantly, the benefits of high levels of fatty acids were not dependent on other risk factors like BMI, alcohol use, or physical activity.
Fish oil supplements come with a variety of health benefits
Known as “healthy fats,” omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are essential for human health. They’re present in fatty fish, nuts, and even some plant oils such as canola oil.
