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.