THE ESSENTIAL
- A diet low in omega-6 and high in omega-3 fatty acids, with fish oil supplements, slows the growth of prostate cancer.
- These results were seen in men with early-stage disease.
- After a year, the Ki-67 index – a biomarker that indicates how quickly cancer cells multiply – had decreased by 15%.
In 2018, there were 59,885 new cases of prostate cancer, making it the leading cancer among men and the third leading cause of death linked to this type of disease, according to the Panorama of cancers in France – 2024 edition.
An omega-3 diet, with fish oil supplements
“Many men want to change their lifestyle, including their diet, for their cancer and to prevent the progression of the disease, says Dr. William Aronson, lead author of a study on this subject, in a communiqué. Our results suggest that something as simple as adjusting your diet could potentially slow cancer growth and extend the time before more invasive interventions are needed.“
In their study, published in the journal Journal of Clinical Oncologyscientists from UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center show that a diet low in omega-6 and high in omega-3 fatty acids, with fish oil supplements, slows the growth of prostate cancer in men with early-stage prostate cancer.
The clinical trial included 100 men with low-risk or favorable intermediate-risk prostate cancer who chose the surveillance active. This strategy is generally proposed when the tumor is localized and does not cause symptoms. The objective is to delay taking treatment for as long as possible, but by carrying out regular examinations to detect the slightest development.
The participants were divided into two groups: the first included those who did not change their eating habits while, in the second, they had to follow a diet low in omega-6 and high in omega-3, with supplements of fish oil. All were followed for a year.
A 15% reduction in a prostate cancer biomarker
To measure the impact of diet on cancer, researchers used the Ki-67 index as the main criterion. This is a biomarker that indicates how quickly cancer cells are growing. Result: after one year, the Ki-67 index had decreased by 15% in the group that followed a specific diet. On the other hand, in the other group, it had increased by 24%.
“This significant difference shows that dietary changes can help slow the growth of cancer, potentially delaying or even preventing the need for more aggressive treatments.”, says William Aronson. In the future, scientists plan to continue their research to confirm these results.
