Friday, November 8, 2013

Omega-3 Fatty Acid Compound Found to Halt Cancerous Tumor Growth and Metastasis

Mainstream media sources continue to trumpet headlines about the decline in cancer rates leading many to believe that modern medicine has conquered this devastating disease through a systematic regimen of slashing, burning and poisoning. Yet nearly 1.7 million people will be diagnosed with some form of cancer this year and more than 550,000 will die from the number two killer of men, women and children. These statistics should not be surprising as millions of unsuspecting individuals continue to avoid lifestyle modifications that have been shown to dramatically lower the risk of cancer.

Omega-3 DHA Metabolite Stops Cancerous Metastasis by Halting Blood Supply to Tumors
Many people would be amazed to know that there are a host of natural nutrients that have been scientifically validated to prevent, treat and halt the metastatic spread of some of the most invasive cancer lines. Researchers from the University of California Davis Health System have found that a product resulting from a metabolized omega-3 fatty acid helps combat cancer by cutting off the supply of oxygen and nutrients that fuel tumor growth and spread of the disease. They have published their findings in the prestigious journal, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The bioactive long-chain omega-3 fat, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), found in its free form in fatty fish and fish oil supplements, is broken down by the body into a metabolite form known as epoxy docosapentaenoic acid (EDP). Scientists know that tumor growth is promoted by the process of blood vessel formation called angiogenesis, and determined that by inhibiting this growth pattern, EDP reduces the growth and metastatic spread of tumors in a mouse model. This research provides the first scientific evidence about EDP’s potent anti-cancer, anti-metastatic effects.

Eat Fish Regularly or Supplement Daily with a Quality DHA Fish Oil Product to Halt Cancer Cell Growth
Lead study author, Dr. Guodong Zhang commented “Our investigation opens up a new understanding of the pathways by which omega-3 fatty acids exert their biologic effects… as far as we know, EDPs are the first signaling lipids that have been discovered to have such potent anti-cancer effects.” Researchers found that as EDP’s are broken down through normal body enzymatic metabolism, the metabolites of these lipids can act to suppress the growth of new blood vessels that are necessary to feed tumor growth.

The researchers also found that an imbalance of omega-6 fats to omega-3 fats that occurs in a diet high in sunflower and corn oils produces a metabolite known as arachidonic acid (ARA) that has the opposite effect of EDP. ARA increases angiogenesis and tumor progression and is a primary dietary cause of cancer development and metastasis. The study team concluded “Our results designate EDP as a unique mediator of an angiogenic switch to regulate tumorigenesis.” Additionally the scientists have established a firm link between omega-6 and omega-3 fat ratios in the development of cancer. Nutrition experts recommend 1,200 to 2,400 mg of EPA/DHA from a distilled fish oil supplement to lower the risk from cardiovascular disease and cancer progression.

Friday, November 1, 2013

Omega-3 Fats Found in Fish Oil Boost Immune Response to Help Fight Inflammation and Disease

Most people take a healthy immune response for granted, as it typically remains on guard detecting a host of known and as yet unidentified pathogens that may threaten our health. Bacteria and viruses that cause the common cold, flu, digestive distress and a variety of potentially fatal illnesses are identified and destroyed before they cause more than a minor discomfort. For most of the past decade, fish consumption and supplementing with DHA and EPA fortified supplements has been shown to lower levels of systemic inflammation and significantly reduce the risk of developing many cancers, stroke and cardiovascular disease, yet the precise mechanism of action has been unknown.

Fish Oil Fats, DHA and EPA Stimulate Immune System B cells to Fight Inflammation and Disease Risk
A group of researchers from the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition at Michigan State University have published the result of their work in the Journal of Leukocyte Biology that shows how DHA-rich fish oil enhances B cell activity, a white blood cell that is critical to activate our immune response. One of the study authors, Dr. Jennifer Fenton explained “Fish oil may have immune enhancing properties that could benefit immunocompromised individuals.”

Omega-3 fat sources including fish oil include the long chain fatty acids, DHA and EPA that have been shown in a number of prior studies to reduce total body inflammation that help to lower the risk of developing many chronic illnesses including cancer, heart disease, dementia and stroke. Researchers now uncover how these special fats enhance B-cell activity, a white blood component necessary to improve immune system activity and lower inflammatory response.

Supplement Daily with A Distilled Fish Oil Capsule to Squelch Inflammation and Lower Disease Risk
Researchers used two mouse models to conduct their study, one group was fed a control diet and the other was fed a diet supplemented with DHA-rich fish oil for a period of five weeks. B cells were taken from various tissues and the scientists then looked for markers of B cell activation on the cell surface, B cell membrane changes, and B cell cytokine production to assess immune response activation.

The team found that those mice supplemented with DHA-enriched fish oil demonstrated B cell activation and antibody production to aid immune response and pathogen clearance, while damping systemic inflammation. The authors concluded “This work confirms similar findings on fish oil and B cells… and moves us one step closer to understanding the immune enhancing properties of EPA and DHA.” Adults should supplement with a distilled fish oil preparation (1,200 to 2,400 mg EPA/DHA per day) to fight inflammation and heighten immune system response.