The Truth Behind the Benefits of Fish oil to Cancer Patients under Chemotherapy

Last year’s scientific studies on fish oil and its cancer connection focused on omega-3’s effects on patients undergoing chemotherapy. The results of a study on the effects of fish oil supplementation on weight loss, muscle and fat loss of lung cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy were revealed last year. The study was conducted by Dr. Vera Madurak and his team in Edmonton, Canada.

Computed tomography images were used as to periodically assess fat and muscle mass. Weights were also recorded periodically. Results show that 69% of the patients, who took up 2 grams of fish oil supplements every day throughout the course of chemotherapy, gained or maintained muscle mass. These patients also maintained their weight. On the other hand, 29% of those patients who did not undergo fish oil supplementation lost about 2.3 kilograms after the 10-week chemotherapy period.

Furthermore, there was no difference seen in the amount of fats between the two groups of patients. With these findings, researchers conclude that pure fish oil as well as fish oil supplements might be beneficial to cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, especially in terms of combating muscle loss and malnutrition.

Researchers said that the results are promising given that in a long time, there has been no identified cure for these two detrimental chemotherapy side effects. Weight and severe malnutrition are two main causes of death of chemo patients. Additionally, researchers stated that fish oil may also be beneficial not only to chemo patients but also to older adults who are at risk for muscle and fat loss.

According to some experts, fish oil’s positive effects in mood and depression might also be another factor that helps prevent weight loss and malnutrition among cancer patients. One study revealed that cancer patients taking fish oil supplements have somehow improved their mood and effectively fought over depression, resulting in an improvement on their overall nutrition.

However, further studies are still needed to confirm fish oil’s positive link to cancer. Ongoing studies are being conducted more precisely on the effects of fish oil to the development of endometrial cancer, breast cancer and prostate cancer.