Omega-3 Fatty Acids Prevent Cancer?
Omega-3 fatty acids are at it again!
This time, they have skin cancer in its sites.
Cancer – which is the second leading cause of death around the world - can happen in any organ, cell, or tissue in your body.
The more severe forms of cancer- liver and pancreatic – take many lives, regardless of age, gender, or nationality.
However, a new study shows promise for the prevention of skin cancer.
Omega-3 Fats and Skin Cancer
Many people around the world have been touched by cancer.
Be it a loved one, a friend, or a co-worker, almost everyone knows someone who has battled this dreadful disease.
Some people make it, while others don’t.
When you look a cancer cell, typically you see a cell that is stuck in one stage, which causes the cells to replicate with no ability to stop.
Normally, cells have a way to destroy themselves – commonly referred to as apoptosis – which instantly causes cell death.
However, cancer cells lack this ability, causing the cells to grow out-of-control.
Although different studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids may stop cancer cell growth, the mechanism for this action remains unclear – especially when dealing with all the different forms of cancer.
However, a new study shows that omega-3 fatty acids – when introduced to skin cancer cells – may slow the growth of malignant cancer cells and could even activate the cells ability to destroy it.
Basically, the researchers exposed mouth and skin cancer cells (squamous carcinoma) to the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA.
They found that the omega-3 fatty acids inhibited the growth of malignant and premalignant cancer cells.
They also found that the exposure also increase increased programmed cell death.
The researchers believed this new finding was caused by the overstimulation of a key growth factor caused by the exposure to omega-3 fatty acids. This overstimulation, they feel, triggered the cell death.
They concluded:
“Our results show that, in part, EPA specifically inhibits SCC growth and development by creating a sustained signaling imbalance to amplify the EGFR/ERK/p90RSK pathway in neoplastic keratinocytes to a supra-optimal level, supporting the chemopreventative potential of EPA, whose toxicity to normal cells might be reduced further by blocking its metabolism to DHA. Furthermore, ERK1/2 phosphorylation may have potential as a biomarker of n-3 PUFA function in vivo.”
Cancer Fighter?
Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to support brain, eye, and heart health.
And, in some studies, these same fatty acids have been shown to halt the growth of certain cancer cells.
Now, according to a new study, omega-3 fatty acids may prevent the growth of malignant and premalignant cancer cells and increase programmed cell death in those cells.
Their findings with these beneficial fats could open new doors for treatment options for those suffering from skin cancer.
The EASIEST Way To Increase Your Omega-3 Fatty Acids >>
References:
Nikolakopoulou Z, Nteliopoulos G, Michael-Titus T, Parkinson EK. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids selectively inhibit growth in neoplastic oral keratinocytes by differentially activating ERK1/2. Carcinogenesis. 2013. Published online July 26,2013. doi: 10.1093/carcin/bgt257.
About Jayson Hunter & Jaylab Pro
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Jaylab Pro was founded by Registered Dietitian Jayson Hunter. Jayson has been recognized as one of America's foremost weight loss experts by America's Premier Experts™. He has also been featured in USA Today for this accomplishment. Jayson is also a best-selling author having co-authored multiple books in health & fitness and business growth. Jayson and the Jaylab Pro team are proud to create content that helps improve the lives of millions of people around the world. We hope you enjoy it just as much as others have.