Can Dietary Changes Aid in Slowing Prostate Cancer Growth? Study Sheds Light
A study, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, show that a diet low in omega-6 and high in omega-3 fatty acids, combined with fish oil supplements, significantly reduced the growth rate of prostate cancer cells in men with early-stage disease.
To determine whether diet or supplements can play a role in managing prostate cancer, the UCLA-led team conducted a prospective clinical trial, called CAPFISH-3, that included 100 men with low risk or favorable intermediate risk prostate cancer who chose active surveillance. Participants were randomly assigned to either continue their normal diet or follow a low omega-6, high omega-3 diet, supplemented with fish oil, for one year.
Participants in the intervention arm received dietary personalized counseling by a registered dietician nutritionist, either in-person, through telehealth or by phone. Patients were guided on healthier, lower fat alternatives for high fat/high calorie foods, and on reducing consumption of foods with higher omega-6 content. The goal was to create a favorable balance of their intake of omega-6 and omega-3 fats and make participants feel empowered to control how they change their behavior. They were also given fish oil capsules for extra omega-3s. The control group did not get any dietary counseling or take fish oil capsules.
The researchers tracked changes in a biomarker called the Ki-67 index, which indicates how fast cancer cells are multiplying -- a key predictor of cancer progression, metastasis and survival.
Same site biopsies were obtained at the start of the study and again after the one-year mark, using an image fusion device that helps track and locate the cancer sites.
Results showed that the low omega-6, omega-3 rich diet and fish oil group had a 15% decrease in the Ki-67 index, while the control group saw a 24% increase.
Researchers did not find any differences in other cancer growth markers, such as Gleason grade, which are commonly used to track prostate cancer progression.
The investigators caution that further research is necessary to confirm the long-term benefits of omega-3 fatty acids and lowering omega-6 in managing prostate cancer.
Reference: https://www.uclahealth.org/news/release/low-omega-6-omega-3-rich-diet-and-fish-oil-may-slow-prostate
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