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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)

#21

Post by rozab »

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.

...did you even read the article? The study found a link between blood concentration of omega-3 fatty acids and prostate cancer. The issue is with omega-3s in general, not that particular form of supplement.

The article also states that there is little evidence for any benefits from similar supplements.

I think that if the risks associated with pollutants in fish oil capsules were significant enough to affect the results, they would have been mentioned in the study.

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

#22

Post by pmoriarty »

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.

Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), the main type of fat in flaxseed oil also seems to increase prostate cancer risk:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15051847

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

#23

Post by nraynaud »

com2kid wrote: post #7
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/

My understanding was that basically every man will, if they live long enough, have some cancerous cells in their prostate. The main risk seems to be going from "so slow growing you die of old age first" to "fast enough growing it becomes a problem", unless I am horribly mistaken.

agreed, and the headline talks about "link" because such a refined thinking doesn't fit in a headline.

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

#24

Post by nraynaud »

vibrato wrote: post #19

Let me give an alternative view of this epidemiological study. "Those more interested in their health (motivated to take supplements or eat a high omega-3 diet) more likely to be diagnosed by their doctor with common health issues"

Participants were selected by having a cancer. Have you read the article? it's about growth rate.

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

#25

Post by tachion »

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.

And do you think shells aren't pressed when the flax seeds are for oil extraction?

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

#26

Post by massivecali »

aszantu wrote: post #9
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.

just eat fish, shellfish, etc?

I think the part about pollutant free shouldn't be overlooked. Some labels claim they have removed harmful things like mercury from their fishoil supplements. Eating fish and shellfish in large quantities eould certainly increase your exposure to that and other contaminants.

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

#27

Post by darksaints »

massivecali wrote: post #26
aszantu wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

just eat fish, shellfish, etc?

I think the part about pollutant free shouldn't be overlooked. Some labels claim they have removed harmful things like mercury from their fishoil supplements. Eating fish and shellfish in large quantities eould certainly increase your exposure to that and other contaminants.

Smaller fish have negligible quantities of mercury and other pollutants, due to their short lifespan not allowing for bioaccumulation, as well as being much lower on the food chain. Herring, Anchovies, Smelt, Sardines, and even Mackerel or Trout, are all are excellent sources of EPA/DHA, and without any of the risks of larger fish.

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

#28

Post by pmoriarty »

kensai wrote: post #5
sigmaprimus wrote: post #2

Kind of an old article, here is a link to an article written around the same time that was updated last summer. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/fish-oil-friend-or-foe-2...

At a certain point it says: "Evidence linking fish oil and cancer has been all over the map. Some research suggests diets high in fatty fish or fish oil supplements might reduce the risk of certain cancers, including prostate cancer. Other research shows just the opposite, a link between eating a lot of oily fish or taking potent fish oil supplements and a 43% increased risk for prostate cancer overall, and a 71% inc…

What dose of fish oil does one need to consume in order for the diet to be considered "high in fish oil"?

Also, I've read in the past that it's important to balance omega-3's with omega-6. I wonder if any of this research takes that balance in to account.

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

#30

Post by papa_bear »

pmoriarty wrote: post #22
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.

Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), the main type of fat in flaxseed oil also seems to increase prostate cancer risk: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15051847

Just in case anyone else was confused by this, Alpha-lipoic acid is also abbreviated as ALA.

Alpha-lipoic acid is an antioxidant that helps the body turn glucose into energy, and is also a popular supplement.

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