Omega 3
Omega-3 fatty acids (DHA/EPA)
Omega-3s are present in certain foods such as flaxseed and fish as well as dietary supplements such as fish oil. Several different omega-3s exist, but the majority of scientific research focuses on three: alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Plant oils that contain ALA include flaxseed (linseed), soybean, and canola oils. Chia seeds and walnuts also contain ALA.
The omega-3 content of fish varies widely. Cold-water fatty fish, such as salmon, mackerel, tuna, herring, and sardines, contain high amounts of LC omega-3s.
Omega-3s has multiple anti-cancer properties
This 2022 study says:
With the use of omega-3 supplements on chemotherapy and radiotherapy patients, the pain symptoms like breast cancer pain are reduced. It also prevents cachexia-anorexia syndrome and increases the weight of cancer patients. As an antitumour function of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, mainly docosahexaenoic acid resists tumour cell development. The pharmaconutrient omega-3 fatty acid reduces the inflammatory response, helps in chemotherapy treatment, and overall improves the cancer patient’s survival rate. Based on the different clinical trials, we have come to the conclusion that the effectiveness of supplementation of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids for cancer patients is incomparable. A daily serving of omega-3 fatty acid will help people with cancer to improve their health and maintain daily normal lifestyle.
Omega-3s used to suppress cancer-associated cachexia
This study says: In humans, (n-3) fatty acids have also been used to suppress cancer-associated cachexia and to improve the quality of life. In one study, the response to chemotherapy therapy was better in breast cancer patients with higher levels of (n-3) fatty acids in adipose tissue [indicating past consumption of (n-3) fatty acids] than in patients with lower levels of (n-3) fatty acids. Thus, in combination with standard treatments, supplementing the diet with (n-3) fatty acids may be a nontoxic means to improve cancer treatment outcomes and may slow or prevent recurrence of cancer. Used alone, an (n-3) supplement may be a useful alternative therapy for patients who are not candidates for standard toxic cancer therapies.
Omega-3s may prevent metastasis in breast cancer
This study concludes that Omega-3 fatty acids do fight against breast cancer especially among women who have been diagnosed with the disease. Omega-3 fatty acids have the ability to shrink the breast cancer cells preventing metastasizing. Thus, women who consume high levels of omega-3 in their diets or food supplements have minimum incidences of metastasis that is very common among women with low levels of Omega-3 fatty acids in their bodies.
Omega-3s may improve survival
Study: We do not have definitive studies to demonstrate that n-3 fatty acids would reduce the growth of cancer metastasis or decrease the rate of cancer recurrence. However, the bulk of the available evidence indicates that increasing the amount of n-3 fatty acids in the diet will be beneficial to cancer survival.
Higher DHA levels were associated with significant risk reductions in all-cause mortality, as well as reduced risks for deaths due to CV disease, cancer, and all other causes.
This systematic review revealed that omega-3 FAs alone or accompanied by other supplements lead to improved physical and mental symptoms, as well as some inflammatory and metabolic indices during the treatment or post-treatment course of Breast Cancer patients.
This study found that people who had the highest blood levels of DHA when compared against those with the lowest blood levels, had a 17% lower risk of death caused by cancer.
Fish oil and Glucosamine
This large prospective cohort study [14,920 participants – including 4,889 breast cancer] showed that the use of fish oil and glucosamine was associated with decreased all-cause mortality and cancer mortality among patients with cancer.
Omega-3 Fish Oil lowers colorectal cancer deaths
This study says: Within the Nurses’ Health Study and Health Professionals Follow-up Study, we prospectively studied Colorectal cancer [CRC] -specific and overall mortality in a cohort of 1659 patients with CRC according to intake of marine ω-3 PUFAs and its change after diagnosis.
Results Higher intake of marine ω-3 PUFAs after CRC diagnosis was associated with lower risk of CRC-specific mortality (p for trend=0.03). Compared with patients who consumed <0.10 g/day of marine ω-3 PUFAs, those consuming at least 0.30 g/day had an adjusted HR for CRC-specific mortality of 0.59 (95% CI 0.35 to 1.01). Patients who increased their marine ω-3 PUFA intake by at least 0.15 g/day after diagnosis had an HR of 0.30 (95% CI 0.14 to 0.64, p for trend <0.001) for CRC deaths, compared with those who did not change or changed their intake by <0.02 g/day. No association was found between postdiagnostic marine ω-3 PUFA intake and all-cause mortality (p for trend=0.47).
Conclusions High marine ω-3 PUFA intake after CRC diagnosis is associated with lower risk of CRC-specific mortality. Increasing consumption of marine ω-3 PUFAs after diagnosis may confer additional benefits to patients with CRC.
Page updated February 2026