Fish Oil Can Inhibits Chemotherapy

Fatty acids found in fish oil supplements have recently been shown to interfere with chemotherapy against tumors. Therefore, cancer patients are advised to consult with a physician about the use of such supplements.

Fish oil supplements rich in compounds known omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 and a very good heart health. But scientists from the Netherlands said fish oil supplements could potentially reduce the effectiveness of chemotherapy.

“Pending the results of further research, we do not recommend the consumption of fish oil supplementation in patients undergoing chemotherapy,” said Professor Emile Voest, oncologists from The Netherlands University Medical Center Utrecht, as published in the journal Cancer Cell.

In research led by Voest, one type of chemotherapy called cisplatin and is often used to treat lung cancer, ovarian, testicular and bladder, unable to work due to the influence of platinum-induced fatty acids (PIFA). These fatty acids are produced by stem cells in the blood and are also found in fish oil supplements.

Research on mice suffering from a tumor under the skin showed that animals injected by fatty acids and is called “the natural levels” to be insensitive to chemotherapy. The cells produce two types of fatty acids called PIFA KHT and 16:4 (n-3). These fatty acids trigger chemical reactions which then makes the cancer cells become resistant to chemotherapy.

Resistance to chemotherapy is a serious matter. Now it is known that the body itself produces protective substances in the blood of the strong to counter the effects of chemotherapy. The substance can be found in fish oils.