Fish oil supplements may decrease breast cancer risk

Research backs anti-inflammatory effects, but cause-and-effect unclear


(Reuters)— Women who take fish oil supplements may have a lower risk of developing breast cancer than those who don't, a study published Thursday suggests — though whether the supplement itself bestows the benefit is not yet clear.



In a study of more than 35,000 postmenopausal women, researchers found that those who said they regularly used fish oil supplements were one-third less likely than non-users to develop breast cancer over the next six years.

The lower risk was seen even with a number of known and suspected risk factors for breast cancer taken into account — including older age, obesity, heavy drinking and sedentary lifestyle.

Still, the study is limited in the fact that it is what is known as an "observational" study — where researchers look at the relationship between an "exposure" (like supplement use) and a disease risk.

"There are a lot of cautions with this type of study," said senior researcher Dr. Emily White, of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle. "It cannot show cause-and-effect."

So it is too soon to recommend that postmenopausal women start taking fish oil for the sake of lowering breast cancer risk, White told Reuters Health in an interview.

Further study warranted
Any such recommendations may come if and when evidence from clinical trials supports a benefit of fish oil. "Fortunately, there is going to be a clinical trial," White said.


She was referring to a Harvard University trial just underway that will look at whether fish oil and vitamin supplements affect the risks of cancer, heart disease and stroke in older men and women.

In that study, which aims to enroll 20,000 U.S. adults, researchers will randomly assign participants to take one or both supplements, or placebo pills, to serve as a comparison. This type of study is considered the "gold standard" for demonstrating cause-and-effect.

Fish oil, a rich source of healthy fatty acids known as omega-3, is best known as a potential boon for heart health. A number of clinical trials have shown that fish oil may help lower triglycerides (a type of blood fat), high blood pressure and the risk of heart attack in people with established heart disease; high fish consumption has also been linked to a lower risk of developing heart disease.

So experts generally recommend that adults aim to eat fish at least twice a week — preferably fattier fish like salmon, mackerel and trout.

But whether fish or fish oil have any effects on cancer risk remains unclear.

The new study, published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, looked at the question by asking 35,016 women ages 50 to 76 about their current and past use of fish oil and certain other supplements.

The researchers then followed the women for an average of six years to document any diagnoses of breast cancer. During that time, 880 women were diagnosed with the disease.

Among women who developed breast cancer, 5 percent had reported regularly using fish oil at the study's outset. Among women who remained cancer-free, 8 percent had been current fish oil users at the outset.

Anti-inflammatory effects

Overall, fish oil use at the start of the study was related to a one-third lower risk of developing breast cancer compared with non-use — with factors like age, weight, self-reported diet and exercise habits, and family history of breast cancer taken into account.

It is biologically plausible that fish oil could affect breast cancer development, according to White. Fish oil is known to have anti-inflammatory effects, and chronic inflammation in the body is thought to play a role in the growth and spread of cancer cells, White explained.

The pieces of evidence are there, she said, but they have not yet come together into a strong enough whole to recommend fish oil for trimming breast cancer risk.

Dr. Edward Giovannucci, of the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, agreed.

"It is very rare that a single study should be used to make a broad recommendation," Giovannucci, a member of the journal's editorial board, noted in a written statement. "Over a period of time, as the studies confirm each other, we can start to make recommendations."

And while fish oil is generally considered safe when taken as directed, it can have side effects, such as stomach upset, heartburn and, at least at higher doses, bleeding.

White's team also found that among a subgroup of women with a history of heart disease, fish oil use was actually related to an increased breast cancer risk versus non-use.

The finding, White said, is surprising and not readily explained. She added, though, that it was based on only a small number of women, and may represent a chance finding rather than a true effect of fish oil.

The current findings cannot hint at whether a fish-rich diet might help lower breast cancer risk. But, White and her colleagues note, two previous large studies did look at the relationship between women's reported omega-3 intake from food and their risk of breast cancer. Neither study uncovered any link.

Nordic Naturals Complete Omega 3-6-9 1000mg Soft Gels, Lemon 60 ea

Nordic Naturals Complete Omega 3-6-9 1000mg Soft Gels, Lemon 60 ea

Purified Fish Oil with Borage Oil and Vitamin D3

• 1000 mg
• Great Lemon Taste!
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• Natural Triglyceride Form

Pharmaceutical Grade** and Molecularly DistilledNordic Naturals Complete Omega-3-6-9-D™ provides a full spectrum of omega fatty acids necessary for learning, positive mood, and memory.* With added natural vitamin D3, Complete Omega-3-6-9-D supports strong immune function and bone health.*

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Product Label

Complete Omega-3.6.9 combines omega-3 (EPA and DHA), omega-6 (GLA), and omega-9 (oleic acid) fatty acids, derived from a unique blend of fish oil and borage oil. This omega-rich formulation is a convenient and delicious way to support healthy skin, joint flexibility, and strong immune function. All Nordic Naturals fish oils surpass all pharmaceutical standards for freshness and purity. Every batch is third party tested, showing no detected levels of heavy metal, dioxins, or PCBs.

Directions

Two softgels daily, with meals, or as directed by your health care professional or pharmacist. Store in a cool, dry place, away from sunlight. Do not take if tamper evident seal is broken or missing

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Consult with your physician before using this product if you are allergic to iodine, use blood thinners, or anticipate surgery. Keep out of the reach of children

Does Not Contain:

gluten, milk derivatives, or artificial colors or flavors.

Nature's Way EfaGold Krill Oil 500mg

Nature's Way EFAGold® is the highest quality Krill oil - guaranteed to contain Omega-3 fatty acids: Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), Omega-6 & 9 fatty acids, 40% phospholipids and Astaxanthin from cold extracted Antarctic Krill.

Neptune Krill oil is clinically effective for cardiovascular & joint health plus PMS relief. Neptune Krill Oil contains phospholipids integrated with EPA & DHA which enhance the bioavailability of EFAs. Neptune Krill Oil's naturally occurring synergistic profile of Vitamin A, Vitamin E, astaxanthin and marine flavonoids give it up to 48x more antioxidant activity than fish oil.

100% pure NKO (Neptune Krill Oil) is produced by a patented, cold-vacuum extraction of Antarctic krill, one of nature's most abundant and rapidly renewable sources of bioavailable essential fatty acids, phospholipids and antioxidants.
• More bioavailable than fish oil: The profile of phospholipids and fatty acids within Neptune Krill Oil resembles those of the human brain, making them easier for the body to recognize and absorb than from fish oil
• No fishy repeat (burp-back)
• Super antioxidant power: Naturally occurring synergistic profile of vitamin A, vitamin E, astaxanthin and marine flavonoids give it up to 48x more antioxidant activity than fish oil
• Pure patented NKO: 40% phospholipids/30% omega-3
• Mercury & PCB-free - no solvents, sugars, starch, artificial colors, flavors or preservatives

Clinically effective Neptune krill oil is clinically shown to:
• Promote cardiovascular health and help maintain healthy blood cholesterol levels already within the normal range*
• Support joint health and help maintain proper levels of C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
• Relieve PMS symptoms such as breast tenderness, cramps & mood changes

Nutrition Facts
Serving Size : 2 Softgels Serving per Container : 15
Amount Per Serving	% Daily value*
Calories10.0calories
Total Fat1.0g	2.0
Vitamin A100.0IU	2.0
Vitamin E0.5IU	2.0
Neptune Krill Oil1.0g
Phospholipids400.0mg
Omega-9 Fatty Acids85.0mg
Omega-6 Fatty Acids20.0mg
Esterified Astaxanthin1.25mg
Calories from Fat - Calories5.0calories
Omega-3 Fatty Acids - Neptune Krill Oil300.0mg
Eicosapentaenoic Acid - Omega-3 Fatty Acids150.0mg
Docosahexaenoic Acid - Omega-3 Fatty Acids90.0mg

Q: Is red krill oil really all that much better for you than regular fish oil?

A: Red krill oil has about the same amount of omega-3 content as regular fish oil pills, but the way that the omega-3 molecules are conjugated in krill oil, it may be better absorbed and utilized by the body.

Red krill oil's capacity to reduce LDL or bad cholesterol and raise the HDL or good cholesterol seems to be better than fish oil alone and its anti-inflammatory properties appear to be better as well. There are some reports stating that after 2 weeks of taking red krill oil supplements that the anti-inflammatory potential is similar to ibuprofen.

A northern krill (Meganyctiphanes norvegica)

Fish Oil Supplements May Not Slow Alzheimer's

(HealthDay News) -- One of the main components of fish oil doesn't help slow the development of symptoms in patients with early Alzheimer's, although experts aren't ruling out the possibility that supplementation given earlier might help prevent the disease.

The supplement, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), is present in abundance in the brain and previous studies had suggested it might play a role in treatment.

But that turned out not to be the case in this latest study, which was funded by the U.S. National Institute on Aging and appears in the Nov. 3 issue of theJournal of the American Medical Association.

"Unfortunately, we have a very solid, but very negative, result that DHA supplementation did not slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease," study author Dr. Joseph Quinn said during a Tuesday news conference. "It's not going to help once a patient has already reached the point where they're able to be diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Maybe the study just started the treatment too late."

Quinn, who is assistant professor of neurology at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, could not say at what age DHA supplementation might provide a benefit. Prevention trials have not been done yet.

Duffy MacKay, vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs at the Council for Responsible Nutrition, a group representing the supplements industry, pointed out that the length of the study was short (18 months), that participants were taking small amounts of DHA and that they weren't taking another important component of fish oil, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA).

EPA is virtually absent in the brain, Quinn explained.

So the new study, "would suggest that intervening in a drug-like way does not work," MacKay said. "What they really need to look at is whether fish consumption or supplementation with omega-3 oils throughout adulthood reduces the risk for developing Alzheimer's," he noted.

For this study, about 400 men and women, average age 76, were randomized to receive 2 grams daily of DHA or a placebo. All had mild to moderate Alzheimer's, meaning "they had enough of an impairment to justify a diagnosis but are living at home, interacting with families and enjoying a pretty good quality of life," Quinn said. "These are people for whom slowing the rate of progression would really make a difference."

Participants weren't eating a lot of fish or taking supplements at the start of the study.

Although both blood and cerebrospinal fluid levels of DHA increased in the treatment group, there were no differences on two different measures of cognitive function between the groups, Quinn reported.

The only slightly encouraging news was that people without the APOE-4 gene variant, which confers a higher risk of Alzheimer's, may have benefited slightly. However, Quinn urged extreme caution in interpreting this secondary analysis.

"It's not so solid a finding that it should change any treatment recommendations or advice to the public," he said.

A second study appearing in the same journal and presented at the news conference found that being hospitalized or having activity restricted as the result of illness or injury, as well as general physical frailty, speeded an elderly person becoming disabled or more disabled and even dying.

Not surprisingly, falls were at particular fault.

Only 117 participants were still nondisabled and alive at the end of the study, which involved almost 800 elderly adults and lasted a decade. An illness or injury leading to hospitalization increased the likelihood of shifting from not disabled to severely disabled more than 160-fold, said study author Dr. Thomas Gill, a professor of medicine at Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Conn., where the research was conducted.

More information

The Alzheimer's Association has ways to maintain your brain.

Fish oil supplements may bring PCB compounds

People who take certain brands of fish oil supplements, seeking benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids are also exposing themselves to unnecessarily high levels of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) compounds, newly released test results show.

Brands were tested in private laboratories by environmental lawyers as part of a labelling lawsuit in California. The results show a major discrepancy in the level of PCB contamination, attorney David Roe told reporters Monday.

"Consumers who want the health benefits of fish oil shouldn't also have to take the health risks of an extremely toxic man-made chemical. And they don't have to, since preliminary test results show that some fish oil brands have only 1/70th as much PCB contamination in them as others," said Roe.

That's the good news for consumers, he added.

"Some companies do a lot better job than others, and we think this is something people should know."

The group tested 10 brands of the more than 100 fish oil supplement products on the market.

Eight of the 10 makers and sellers of fish oil, shark oil, fish liver oil and shark liver oil supplements have PCB contamination above the so-called "safe harbour" limits set for human PCB consumption under California's Proposition 65, the results show.

The state law requires consumers to be warned about such exposures on product labels. None of the products contains such a warning, but some brands highlight how their supplements are treated to remove or reduce PCBs.

That's why consumers beyond California should care, said environmental researcher Chris Manthey, one of the plaintiffs in the case.

"But since they don't say how much PCB contamination is still left, even consumers who choose "treated" supplements don't know what PCB levels they're swallowing along with their daily Omega-3."

When tested for total daily exposures to PCBs, Now Foods Salmon Oil, available in Canada, had the highest levels, according to the test results. When weighed for toxicity, Nature Made Cod Liver Oil, available to Canadians through online stores, had the highest levels, the results, posted at fishoilsafety.com, show.

In the initial tests of 10 products, those with the lowest overall levels of PCBs at the recommended daily dose were, in order, Solgar Norwegian Cod Liver Oil, TwinLab Norwegian Cod Liver Oil, GNC Liquid Norwegian Cod Liver Oil, and TwinLab Emulsified Norwegian Cod Liver Oil.

After weighting to determine how toxic some of the contaminants are, the products that ranked the lowest for toxicity were, in order, TwinLab Norwegian Cod Liver Oil, TwinLab Emulsified Norwegian Cod Liver Oil, Solar 100 per cent Pure Norwegian Shark Liver Oil Complex, and Nature Made Odorless Fish Oil.

"Without more testing, we can't know whether this group includes the worst in the market — or the best," the plaintiffs wrote in backgrounder of the 10 brands.

Although banned many years ago, PCB compounds are extremely persistent in the environment because they don't break down quickly. That means they accumulate in the food chain, including in fish. PCBs been officially recognized for 20 years as causing cancer and reproductive toxicity.

"We know for sure that more is worse than less, and our tests show that some fish oil supplements have many times as much PCBs as others. California has set a daily intake that represents 'no significant risk' of PCBs causing cancer, which some of these products exceed by up to a factor of 10. But there is no official safety level for PCBs causing reproductive toxicity. So the only guideline consumers can follow is that less is safer," the plaintiffs wrote in the backgrounder.

California-based Pharmavite LLC, manufacturer of Nature Made dietary supplements, immediately challenged the results, saying the company complies with California's Proposition 65 and meets or exceeds "the most exacting standards" known to the supplement industry.

In addition, Nature Made's fish oil products have been awarded the United States Pharmacopeia Verification Program mark for omega-3 fish oil purity, potency and quality, and the Nature Made Fish Oil received a "Best Choice" rating based on a survey conducted by Environmental Defense when the group evaluated fish oil supplements for environmental contaminants, the company said in a statement.

The appetite for Omega-3 supplements continues to grow as the health benefits of fatty acids become cemented in the minds of consumers. Studies show they may help lower risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and arthritis.

Since 2006, the U.S. market for Omega-3 supplements has doubled, to an estimated $1 billion. Meanwhile, market research firm Packaged Facts estimates global retail sales for Omega-3 enhanced food and beverage products will rise from $4.6 billion in 2007 to $8.2 billion by 2012.