Many people who take fish oil daily for the health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids suffer from fishy burps, and research shows that taking fish oil supplements can reduce inflammation in the muscles, heart, and brain. Articles from 2019 In Critical Reviews of Food Science in Nutrition.
It may seem logical that fish oil might reduce prostate-related inflammation, but there is considerable debate over whether high omega-3 intake increases the risk of prostate cancer. 2020 Review A study published in the British Journal of Cancer found that high intakes of omega-3 fatty acids and alpha-linolenic acid may slightly increase the risk of prostate cancer. 2021 Survey Nutrients followed more than 5,000 men for five years and found no significant association between blood omega-3 levels and risk of developing prostate cancer.
That said, taking fish oil daily may also improve the health of people who already have prostate cancer.
Fish oil may benefit prostate cancer patients
There are two omega-3 fatty acids that help fight inflammation — eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) — and research suggests that EPA may be the one that can thwart the growth of prostate cancer. 2021 Survey In molecular cancer research, using both clinical trials and mouse models, monoacylglyceride (MAG)-bound EPA has been shown to reduce the blood supply to prostate tumors, limiting the tumor’s ability to spread.
Screening for prostate cancer usually involves a blood test for prostate-specific antigen (PSA). If the PSA level in your blood is high, you may need to be screened for prostate cancer or benign prostatic hyperplasia (an enlarged prostate). 2016 in Review A study published in the journal Integrative Cancer Therapies found that men with prostate cancer who took fish oil supplements did not experience any change in their prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. The review also found that fish oil supplements may not only reduce inflammation and other cancer markers, but may also reduce the risk of dying from prostate cancer. The researchers said more research is needed.
Supplementing your diet with fish oil may also improve your quality of life when undergoing surgery for prostate cancer. 2023 Survey In a study published in the journal Nutrients, men took 3.75 grams of fish oil containing 75% MAG-EPA seven weeks before prostate cancer surgery and continued taking it for a year after surgery. Compared to a control group, men taking the fish oil had improved urinary function.
Substituting Fish Oil Supplements for the Mediterranean Diet
Not all fish oil supplements are the same. Some have a higher ratio of EPA to DHA. It may be the DHA that is associated with increased prostate cancer. Old study from 2011 A study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology found no association between fatty acids and prostate cancer risk. However, it did show that men with higher levels of DHA in their bodies were at higher risk of developing more aggressive forms of prostate cancer. Before taking fish oil or omega-3 supplements, it may be wise to talk to your doctor about your risk for prostate cancer.
You may also want to consider a Mediterranean diet to reduce your risk and mortality from prostate cancer. A 2017 review found: The forefront of nutrition We took a closer look at how the foods in the Mediterranean diet work to reduce obesity and, as a result, the risk of prostate cancer. The Mediterranean diet tends to be high in plant-based foods, fish and poultry are allowed in moderation, and red meat is limited. Rather than taking fish oil supplements, the main source of omega-3 fatty acids in the Mediterranean diet is olive oil. Obesity significantly impacts the risk of prostate cancer, so adhering to the Mediterranean diet can help prevent the risk of cancer.
