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Fish oil supplements linked to prostate cancer (2013)

nhs.uk

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Re: Fish oil supplements linked to prostate cancer (2013)

#11

Post by [deleted] »

insertnickname wrote: post #6
anaphor wrote: post #3

Keep in mind that this does not mean you have a 70% chance of getting prostate cancer if you take fish oil supplements. Based on this[0], it's roughly an increase from about 0.02% chance to about 0.034% chance (given no other information to base your risk on) [0] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2706483/

And this: > This was a large, well designed study that supports previous research linking high blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids with prostate cancer risk. However, it cannot show that fish oil supplements cause prostate cancer and it is possible that other confounders affected men’s risk (although the researchers tried to take these into account). Their conclusion contradicts their own headline.

[deleted]

Re: Fish oil supplements linked to prostate cancer (2013)

#12

Post by shishy »

insertnickname wrote: post #6
anaphor wrote: post #3

Keep in mind that this does not mean you have a 70% chance of getting prostate cancer if you take fish oil supplements. Based on this[0], it's roughly an increase from about 0.02% chance to about 0.034% chance (given no other information to base your risk on) [0] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2706483/

And this: > This was a large, well designed study that supports previous research linking high blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids with prostate cancer risk. However, it cannot show that fish oil supplements cause prostate cancer and it is possible that other confounders affected men’s risk (although the researchers tried to take these into account). Their conclusion contradicts their own headline.

It does not contradict their headline.

Headline says there is some correlation between the two but they are careful to explain later that this does not necessarily imply causation and that further research is required.

Re: Fish oil supplements linked to prostate cancer (2013)

#13

Post by darksaints »

vfc1 wrote: post #4

The article does not talk about alternatives. A great alternative for Omega-3s are ground flax seeds, one tablespoon a day mixed for example in your oatmeal is enough - https://nutritionfacts.org/topics/omega-3-fatty-acids Also for the derived DHA/EPA, there are pollutant-free alternatives based on algae oil.

It's not a replacement.

https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/why-not-flaxseed...

You should feel bad for promoting Michal Greger's bullshit.

https://www.humanewatch.org/hsus_doc_exposed_as_schlock/

https://www.thatnerdysciencegirl.com/2015/11/13/the-case-aga...

Re: Fish oil supplements linked to prostate cancer (2013)

#14

Post by raverbashing »

> It is worth bearing in mind that this study did not assess participants’ diet and use of supplements. Researchers measured blood levels of fatty acids and analysed the association with prostate cancer risk. However, it is likely that the very high levels of fatty acids found in some participants’ blood came from supplements.

Important point

2nd point to consider: is this for all types of cancer? More, less aggressive? Benign enlargement of prostate? In the article (comparison of the lowest Om3 quartile with the highest Om3 quartile):

> 44% increased risk of low grade prostate cancer (HR (hazard ratio) = 1.44, 95% CI (confidence interval) = 1.08 to 1.93) > 71% increased risk of high grade prostate cancer (HR = 1.71, 95% CI = 1.00 to 2.94) > 43% increased risk of total prostate cancer (HR = 1.43, 95% CI = 1.09 to 1.88)

3rd point: could this be associated with something else (for example: heavy metals in fish)

As most guidance by the NHS, this is very well explained and de-sensationalized

> However, it cannot show that fish oil supplements cause prostate cancer and it is possible that other confounders affected men’s risk (although the researchers tried to take these into account)

Re: Fish oil supplements linked to prostate cancer (2013)

#15

Post by RandomInteger4 »

muterad_murilax wrote: post #10
vfc1 wrote: post #4

The article does not talk about alternatives. A great alternative for Omega-3s are ground flax seeds, one tablespoon a day mixed for example in your oatmeal is enough - https://nutritionfacts.org/topics/omega-3-fatty-acids Also for the derived DHA/EPA, there are pollutant-free alternatives based on algae oil.

I prefer flax seed oil to ground flax seeds, due to cyanide being present in the shells.

Not to mention the constipation. Different fiber affects people differently I suppose, but for me, flax seed binds me up pretty bad.

Re: Fish oil supplements linked to prostate cancer (2013)

#16

Post by likpok »

vfc1 wrote: post #4

The article does not talk about alternatives. A great alternative for Omega-3s are ground flax seeds, one tablespoon a day mixed for example in your oatmeal is enough - https://nutritionfacts.org/topics/omega-3-fatty-acids Also for the derived DHA/EPA, there are pollutant-free alternatives based on algae oil.

Flax seeds are a bad source of omega 3s, because the oil they have, ALA, isn't used in the body and the conversion into DHA/EPA (which are) is poor [0].

[0]: https://examine.com/nutrition/can-i-eat-flax-seeds-instead-o...

Re: Fish oil supplements linked to prostate cancer (2013)

#17

Post by dpatrick86 »

This was based on the SELECT trial data, which means that it could just as easily be measuring the effects of a very large and prolonged dose of 400 IU of alpha-tocopherol as it is omega-3. Greater than 12x RDA.

Moreover, it's been many years since this was published. If prostate cancer-promoting effects were so plainly an obvious effect of marine omega-3 supplementation, you'd expect to have seen it abundantly replicated by now.

Re: Fish oil supplements linked to prostate cancer (2013)

#18

Post by nickpsecurity »

What about the packaging or matetial of the pill itself that contains the supplements? And any additives in the process? The processed stuff usually has higher risks. I wonder if any studies have been done on what contains the drugs which they also consume.

Re: Fish oil supplements linked to prostate cancer (2013)

#20

Post by raverbashing »

darksaints wrote: post #13
vfc1 wrote: post #4

The article does not talk about alternatives. A great alternative for Omega-3s are ground flax seeds, one tablespoon a day mixed for example in your oatmeal is enough - https://nutritionfacts.org/topics/omega-3-fatty-acids Also for the derived DHA/EPA, there are pollutant-free alternatives based on algae oil.

It's not a replacement. https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/why-not-flaxseed... You should feel bad for promoting Michal Greger's bullshit. https://www.humanewatch.org/hsus_doc_exposed_as_schlock/ https://www.thatnerdysciencegirl.com/2015/11/13/the-case-aga...

The article is realistic, there is no major issue in recommending flaxseed.

> Flaxseed oil will give your diet a nice little omega-3 boost in the form of alpha-linolenic acid. You might try adding some to your salad dressing. But it's a backup, not a substitute, for the omega-3s in fish and fish oil because of the conversion factor.

The real issue is: are you deficient in Omega-3 oils? Here's how much ALA you need (which is what Flaxseed has) https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Omega3FattyAcids-Consumer/...

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