A 2011 study has been replicated
in 2013 and shows a correlation between high levels of fish oil consumption and
increased risk of aggressive prostate cancer. High level is defined as one fish
oil capsule a day and/or eating fatty fish, such as salmon, twice a week. Note
that it says correlation and not cause.
Researchers at the Fred
Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, in Seattle, released a study showing
that high intake of omega-3 fatty acids is correlated with a 71 percent
increased risk of high grade prostate cancer and a 44 per cent increase in the
risk of low grade prostate cancer. They analyzed data from an earlier study of
the effects of selenium and vitamin E in preventing prostate cancer (neither
did). The analysis included 834 men who had already been diagnosed with prostate
cancer and a comparison group of 1,393 men who were cancer free. The results
have been published in the online edition of theJournal
of the National Cancer Institute.
What does that mean for all of us
who have been taking fish oil capsules and eating fish as often as possible for
years and years and years? As far as I can tell, nobody knows for sure (yet).
Should we stop taking fish oil capsules and eating fish? Some researchers say
yes, stop now. A few say we should carry on as usual, and a very few suggest
that this whole thing is a socialist plot to destroy big pharma (and maybe save
fatty fish). It would probably be a good idea to talk to your oncologist before
you make any changes in your normal routine.
For many years I took a whole
handful of supplements every day. Slowly, researchers suggested that I would
likely not benefit from selenium, vitamin E, large doses of vitamin C, and even
multiple vitamins. Is my D3 and low-dose aspirin still safe? Some researchers
suggest that most people don’t need any supplements whatsoever.
If we wait a few more months or
years the rules will change again—and again. What’s a guy to do?
axman
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