Mixed
Increased intake of EPA and DHA improves quality of life, appetite, and physical functioning in cancer patients, particularly those with non-small cell lung cancer and head/neck squamous cell cancer, and may enhance chemotherapy efficacy.
For cancer patients, particularly those with lung or head/neck cancer, high-dose EPA and DHA supplementation (1.8-3g daily) may improve appetite, body weight, and quality of life. Some evidence suggests it may also enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy. Consult with an oncologist before starting high-dose supplements.
A systematic review concluded that lung cancer patients receiving supplements containing EPA and DHA had improved appetite, energy intake, body weight and quality of life... Murphy et al. conducted a trial in patients with non-small cell lung cancer and showed that 2.5 g EPA + DHA daily caused a 2-fold increase in response rate to the chemotherapy being used.
Why this rating
Based on specific trials and systematic reviews, but the paper notes inconsistency in prospective studies regarding cancer risk prevention.
Source
Very long-chain<i>n</i>-3 fatty acids and human health: fact, fiction and the future
Philip C. Calder · Proceedings of The Nutrition Society · 2017
DOI 10.1017/s0029665117003950
More from this paper
- EPA and DHA modify cell membrane structure and function, leading to altered lipid mediator production (eicosanoids, resolvins, protectins) and gene expression, which underlies their anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating effects.Strong
- Increased intake of EPA and DHA lowers the risk of coronary heart disease and cardiovascular mortality, primarily through the modification of risk factors such as triglycerides, blood pressure, and inflammation, as well as through anti-arrhythmic and anti-thrombotic mechanisms.Good
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