Omega-3s Can Cut to About a Half the Recurrence of Colorectal Cancer

Recently published, two new studies suggest thatOnly 4.2% of participants who were taking the
certain dietary supplements containing Seleniumsupplement suffered from the recurred polyps
can protect from a development of colorectalcompared to 7.2 % of those who were taking
cancer, CRC, or even from its recurrence.the placebo.
Researchers from the U.S. National Institute forOverall, study found that people taking the
Environmental Health Sciences reported thatsupplement had about a 40 percent reduction in
during the study omega-3 fatty acids cut the riskthe risk for a return of polyps.
of developing colorectal cancer by nearly 40%.The results of the study encouraged the
These findings are in line with the other studyresearchers and according to their estimations
carried out by cancer researchers from Italy.even after 15 years, about 48 % of people
They found that the risk of developing colorectaltaking the Selenium-supplement would stay free
cancer, CRC, can be cut by nearly 40 percent byof polyps, versus near to 30 % of those who will
consumption of a dietary supplement containingnot take the supplement.
Selenium compound.A postdoctoral fellow at the U.S. National Institute
The researchers from both groups intend toof Environmental Health Sciences in Research
present their findings on cancer preventionTriangle Park, N.C. and the study's lead author,
conference sponsored by the AmericanSangmi Kim suggested boosting omega-3 intake
Association for Cancer Research at Dec. 7 inthrough diet or perhaps by taking an omega-3
Houston.supplement:
Study Description"Our finding clearly supports the evidence from
There were 411 people aged 25 to 75 involved inprevious experimental and clinical studies showing
the selenium. They all had one or more colorectalthat long-chain omega-3 fatty acids inhibit tumor
polyps removed and were taking either agrowth."
Selenium containing supplement or a placebo.Good sources for Omega-3 fatty acids are:
The described supplement (also an antioxidantFish -- oily fish such as salmon, mackerel, herring,
compound) contain:anchovies, sardines and tuna
- 200 micrograms of SelenoMethionnine (aOmega-3 oils are found in plants also. Good
combination of selenium and Methionnine)sources for Omega-3 fatty acids are:
- 30 mgr of zincPlant-based sources -- flax and flaxseed oil,
- 6,000 international units of vitamin ABrussels sprouts, soybeans and soybean oil, canola
- 180 mgr of vitamin Coil, spinach, walnuts and kiwi.
- 30 mgr of vitamin EFish oil is rich in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and
Follow up test were done every one year, threeeicosapentaenoic acid (EPA).
years and five years after starting the regimenPlant based-sources such as some nuts (English
Colonoscopy was done in participants towalnuts) and vegetable oils (canola, soybean,
determine the efficacy of the treatment. Theflaxseed/linseed, olive) contain alpha-linolenic acid
results of the study clearly indicated that Selenium(ALA).
supplement helps prevent polyp recurrence: