An omega-3 rich diet really can fight bowel cancer

Eating salmon, walnuts and chia seeds could boost your chances of surviving bowel cancer, a new study claims.

Full of omega-3 fatty acids, the tasty staples prevent deadly tumours from spreading across the body.

When broken down after eating, these then go onto release molecules that directly attack cancerous cells, scientists say. 

How was the study carried out?

They measured the amount of enzymes made when omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids – found in chicken, eggs and nuts, were crunched down in 650 bowel cancer patients.

This was then compared to their survival chances, for the study.

Results showed those who had the highest levels of the cancer-fighting enzymes had the greatest chances of beating the disease.

Their tumours were found to have spread less, of which the opposite makes death more likely, indicating a greater chance of survival.

Important findings

Before the latest study, the health effects of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids were relatively unknown in relation to cancer.

Lead author Professor Graeme Murray said: ‘Prior to this study we did not know that such a relationship existed between these enzymes and survival in bowel cancer.

‘Our findings are important because it highlights a new pathway for understanding survival from bowel cancer.’

He added: ‘The molecules or “metabolites” that arise from the breakdown of omega-3 – prevent tumour spread… The less a tumour has spread the better the outcome.’

Fiona Hunter, nutritionist said: ‘This new study adds to a growing body of evidence which show that omega-3 fats offer important health benefits.

She added that the new research highlights the importance of eating more oily fish.

Bowel cancer

There is known to be a huge variation in survival rates for patients with bowel cancer, stretching from just months to more than 10 years.

There were around 41,300 new cases of bowel cancer – around 110 people diagnosed every day.

It is believed to be the fourth most common form of the disease and kills a quarter of patients within a year, figures show.

The latest study aimed to establish why some sufferers respond more favourably to treatment than others.

N.H.Kh