Omega 3 Fatty Acids (fish oil) Inhibits Breast Cancer Growth

9-12-2005 - Omega 3 fatty acids better known for their close association to fishes has been proven to inhibit growth of breast cancer cells.

Dietary intake of omega 3 fatty acids such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) may curb the growth of breast cancer cells, according to a study published in the International Journal of Cancer.

Min Wu and colleagues at Methodist Research Institute, Indiana University and Purdue University in Indianapolis, Indiana conducted the study. The study was conducted both in mice and cultured breast cancer cells. In the study, mice implanted with breast cancer cells were fed diets rich in either fish oil (omega-3 fatty acids) or corn oil (omega-6 fatty acids).

Researchers found that three weeks after the breast cancer cell implantation, the tumour volume and weight were significantly lower in the mice on the fish oil diet compared to that on the corn oil diet.

Results from in vitro experiments indicated DHA and EPA inhibited the growth of cultured breast cancer cells by 20 to 25 percent.

Source: International Journal of Cancer

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