EPA And Preservation Of Muscle Following Traumatic Surgery

Esophageal cancer can be a very serious and deadly form of cancer.

In fact, in 2011, it was estimated that over 16,000 people (both men and women) would be diagnosed with esophageal cancer.  Of those 16,000, over 14,000 of them were expected to die.

The most common ways to treat esophageal cancer is to use radiation, chemotherapy, or the complete removal of the esophagus.

Esophagectomy, which is the procedure for removing the esophagus, is considered by many doctors to be a major- controlled trauma event.

It can lead to metabolic, immunologic, and physiologic changes in your body which could increase your risk for developing complications.

After the removal of the esophagus, a tube is sometimes introduced for feeding either through the stomach or directly into the intestines.

Enteral nutrition (nutrition delivered through the feeding tube) is used to provide nutrition post-surgery to help aid in the healing process.

Recently, research has showed that EPA, one of the omega-3 fatty acids, introduced into enteral nutrition could be a way to enhance immune function and could even slow down the breakdown of muscle tissue.

A study published in the Annals of Surgery, could shed some light on the effects of EPA in pre- and post-operative nutrition as a way to prevent muscle wasting related to esophagectomy.

Let me explain…

EPA and Muscle Wasting (Catabolism)

Researchers aimed to see if an EPA-enriched enteral nutrition could mediate the immuno-inflammatory response that is often associated with esophagectomy surgery.

They recruited 53 patients who were fed either a standard enteral nutrition meal (25 patients) or an EPA-enriched enteral meal (28 people) for 5 days prior to, and 21 days post-operation.

The EPA enteral diet consisted of 2.2 grams of EPA per day.

The researchers noted in the EPA group, serum and peripheral blood mononuclear cell membrane concentrations were significantly increased.

They also noted that the EPA group maintained all aspects of body composition.  Comparatively, the standard nutrition group showed loss of muscle mass in the legs, arms, and trunk.

The EPA group also showed a slower response rate for TNF-alpha, IL-8 and IL-10 (all inflammatory mediators).

However, the researchers did note that both groups showed no difference in major complications following surgery.

The research concluded that EPA-enriched enteral meal prior to esophagectomy could preserve lean mass compared to a standard enteral diet.

As exciting as this research is for reducing inflammation and preserving lean muscle tissue from the introduction of EPA, the researchers did note that longer-term studies are needed to verify these findings and the impact EPA could have on recovery of function and quality of life in severe cases of esophageal cancer.

The Amazing Power of EPA

EPA, one of the omega-3 fatty acids derived from fatty fish, has been linked to many different improvements to your health.

It has been shown that increasing your intake of EPA could lead to increased levels in red blood cells and other tissues, which could help to explain the reduction in risk factors associated with some chronic health conditions.

Now, according to this study, EPA could be used as a way to reduce muscle wasting following a traumatic surgery involving esophageal cancer.

Increasing your intake of EPA and DHA could provide significant benefits to your health and longevity.


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