People with higher levels of these fatty acids had a reduced risk for 17 types of cancer, a study found.
Taking a certain 16p supplement daily could help lower your risk of multiple types of cancer, according to a new study. Scientists have discovered that people with higher levels of two types of fatty acid were less likely to develop 17 forms of the disease.
The research, published in the International Journal of Cancer, found that both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids had the potential to reduce your likelihood of cancer. Study lead Yuchen Zhang, from the University of Georgia, said: “These findings suggest that the average person should focus on getting more of these fatty acids in their diets.”
As part of the study a team analysed data from more than 250,000 people in the UK. The participants were followed for more than 10 years, during which time nearly 30,000 of them were diagnosed with some form of cancer.
It was discovered that people with higher levels of omega-3s had lower rates of colon, stomach, and lung cancer, as well as other digestive tract cancers. And people with elevated omega-6 levels had a reduced risk of 14 different cancer types, including brain, skin, bladder, and more.
Omega-3s and omega-6s are known as “healthy fats” and are vital for your body to function properly. They can be found in foods like fatty fish, nuts, seeds, and some plant oils.
They can also be taken in supplement form, with Holland & Barrett offering a combined omega-3 and omega-6 pill for £18.99 for 120. This works out as 16p per pill.
The study also showed that the protective effects of these nutrients weren’t dependent on other lifestyle factors like weight, alcohol use, or physical activity levels. Therefore, the cancer-fighting benefits seemed to be there regardless of someone’s overall health profile.
But there were some caveats – the researchers found that high omega-3 levels could be linked to a slightly elevated risk of prostate cancer in men. Moreover, the protective effect of omega-6 was stronger in younger participants, especially women.
“For women, it’s an easy decision: Eat more omega-3,” says Kaixiong Ye, the study’s corresponding author. However, he added that the decision to take fish oil supplements isn’t one-size-fits-all, and individuals should consult their doctor.
The team weren’t exactly sure why the fatty acids could lower cancer risk, but they theorised that omega-3s and omega-6s may help regulate inflammation and cell growth within the body. But they acknowledged that more research is necessary to pinpoint the mechanisms at play.
It comes as previous research has shown that omega-3 can help lower cholesterol and heart disease risk, and lower your risk of developing dementia.
