In addition to lowering your cholesterol levels, keeping your brain healthy and improving your mental health, new research from the University of Georgia suggests that good intakes of omega-3 and omega-6 help prevent a variety of cancers.
Data from more than 250,000 Britons followed for more than a decade was scrutinized by the researchers. The result: people with higher levels of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are also those who have the lowest risk of developing cancer. As a reminder, omega-3 and omega-6 are fatty acids found in lipids of food origin.
Reduced risks for nineteen types of cancer
Participants with higher levels ofomega-3 had lower rates of colon, stomach and lung cancerand others digestive tract cancers.
High levels ofomega-6 are associated with a decreased rates of 14 different cancers, including located at the level of the head and neck (brain, esophagus, etc.) of the‘stomachcolon, rectum, hepatobiliary tract, pancreas, lungmalignant melanoma, connective soft tissue, kidney, bladder, of brain and the thyroid.
However, it has not been possible to conclusively determine whether these good omega-3 and omega-6 acids reduce cancer occurrence rates or increase the chances of surviving a cancer diagnosis.
Only four site-specific cancers (ovarian, breast, uterine, and lymphoid and hematopoietic tissue cancers) were not associated with either omega-3 or omega-6.
Although carried out on a very large population, this study remains observational : in other words it does not allow the conclusion of a direct causal link, but does however highlight a significant statistical correlation.
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Benefits for everyone, whatever their lifestyle
The benefits of these omega-3 and 6 intakes were felt regardless of weight, alcohol consumption or physical activity.which seems to indicate a powerful and beneficial effect for everyone. Researchers also observed a stronger beneficial effect of omega-6 in younger participants, particularly women.
As a reminder, the recommended intakes of omega-6 are 11g for men and 6 grams for women, while the recommended intakes of omega-3 are 120 mg for men and 100 mg for women (250 mg during pregnancy and breastfeeding), although needs may increase substantially in the event of specific pathologies.
Modern diet already giving pride of place to omega-6 to the detriment of omega-3, it is interesting to increase your intake of omega-3, very present in fatty fish, nuts and certain vegetable oils such as olive oil. perilla, flax, camelina, borage or walnuts.
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