Omega-3 Fatty Acids Preserve Muscle During Chemotherapy
A recent review published in February 2012 reports that omega-3 fatty acids are a useful adjuvant to chemotherapy treatment. The National Cancer Institute states that over 41 percent of Americans will be diagnosed with cancer at some point during their lifetime. Previous data indicates that omega-3 fatty acids are decreased in individuals with cancer. Research suggests that the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are potential mediators in pathways involved in cancer cachexia.
Researchers reviewed clinical trials that assessed the impact of supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids in individuals with cancer undergoing chemotherapy. They evaluated weight gain, lean body mass, treatment efficacy and treatment toxicity.
The clinical trials indicate that supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids during chemotherapy attenuates weight changes and helps maintain lean body mass. Researchers state that this suggests improved efficacy and milder treatment toxicity.
The study authors concluded, “Recent evidence appears to favor providing omega-3 fatty acids early in the disease trajectory, during antineoplastic therapy for preservation of muscle and also to improve treatment tolerance.”
Reference:
Murphy RA, et al. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2012 Feb 23. Epub Ahead of Print.
