Raised prostate cancer risk from omega 3 supplement, reseachers claim

Omega-3 fatty acids are widely hailed for their anti-inflammatory properties. But according to the Telegraph, a study found that men with high levels of omega-3 in their blood were at 43 per cent greater risk of prostate cancer than those with low concentrations, while less common aggressive “high-grade” tumours were 71 per cent more likely than in those not taking supplements.

The difference in blood concentrations of the fatty acids between the two groups was the equivalent of more than two portions of salmon per week, researchers from Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle said. The researcher compared blood samples from 834 prostate cancer patients against 1,393 healthy controls, the Telegraph said.

Previous studies into prostate cancer and omega-3 have produced differing results, with some suggesting the fatty acids could be protective rather than harmful, but the researchers said the new findings support an earlier paper they published in 2011.

The study did not examine how omega-3 might affect the progression of prostate cancer in men who already had the disease, the newspaper said.

However, Dr Iain Frame, Director of Research at Prostate Cancer UK told the Telegraph that the majority of research on Omega 3 points to it having wide ranging health benefits when eaten as part of a balanced diet - and that they would not encourage any man to change their diet as a result of this study, but to speak to their doctor if they have any concerns about prostate cancer.