Fish Oil and Esophageal Cancer Risk

Hi all. Actually ran into this without even googling barrett's or esophageal cancer, first time I find good info w/o explicitly looking for it. Since I haven't seen this mentioned like brocolli sprouts and other things I thought it was worth posting in case anyone is interested. You can google "fish oil and esophageal cancer" if you want to see a lot of pages on it. Here is an excerpt from one.

Fish oils may help prevent esophageal cancer
NORWICH, UNITED KINGDOM. Cancer of the esophagus has a poor prognosis and is increasing in frequency. Esophageal cancer is usually preceded by a condition called Barrett's esophagus (BE) in which the normal squamous (scale-like) epithelium in the lower esophagus is replaced with columnar epithelium. about 5% of patients with BE progress to esophageal cancer. BE, in turn, is linked to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with from 10-20% of GERD patients progressing to BE.

Research has shown that colon cancer is associated with an increased expression of the COX-2 enzyme in the colon and that fish oil can reduce both the COX-2 level and the risk of colon cancer. There is also evidence that the COX-2 enzyme is upregulated in Barrett's esophagus and esophageal cancer. British researchers therefore reasoned that fish oil supplementation might also be beneficial in BE and thus, indirectly, lower the risk of esophageal cancer.

Their clinical trial involved 46 patients with previously diagnosed BE. Twenty-seven of them were assigned to receive 3 EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) capsules daily providing a total EPA intake of 1.5 grams a day with the remaining 19 patients serving as controls. Before the start of supplementation and at the end of the 6-month trial period, all participants underwent endoscopy during which appropriate biopsy samples were obtained. Analysis of the samples showed a significantly increased concentration of EPA and a significantly decreased level of COX-2 proteins in BE tissue in the supplement group, but not in the control group.

The researchers conclude that regular supplementation with relatively small doses of EPA results in significant incorporation of metabolically active long-chain amoega-3 fatty acids into BE tissue and a concomitant, beneficial decrease in COX-2.
Mehta, SP, et al. Effect of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on Barrett's epithelium in the human lower esophagus. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 87, 2008, pp. 949-56

Buy a high quality fish oil in capsule form and store it in the freezer. Take it either with meals or right before bed.

More on fish oil and the inhibition of the growth of pre-malignant and malignant cells...

Fatty Acids Could Aid Cancer Prevention and Treatment

Aug. 1, 2013 — Omega-3 fatty acids, contained in oily fish such as salmon and trout, selectively inhibit growth and induce cell death in early and late-stage oral and skin cancers, according to new research from scientists at Queen Mary, University of London.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/08/130801095513.htm

Hi mum,

I don't have a problem taking my twice daily fish oil tabs. I take these with my 1x20mg Omeprazole and 1x400mg turmeric. I then eat either breakfast, or dinner as appropriate for the time of day.

Mornings I also take a Vit B tab and a very small amount [approx. 2ml] of Lactulose, for prebiotic and colon acidifying effect [combats bad bacteria and increases uptake of minerals].

This regime currently suits me very well. Not to say I don't have bad days though.

All the best

Phil

I take linseed capsules, which you can make the same series of prostaglandins from - fish oil is a short cut, starting further down the chain. I don't have a problem taking linseed but fish oil gives me terrible reflux, and all vitamins give me pain. I find it very frustrating that I can't get into my body things that I know would help!

I can't eat salmon either - serious heartburn!

MMM