W. Elaine Hardman, PhD, Pennington Biomedical Research Center "Omega-3 Fatty Acids to Augment Cancer Therapy". Dr. Hardman explained that Omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil have been shown to inhibit COX-2 induction. (at 10 grams per day for humans) Ann’s NOTE: Checking my supplement bottle for EPA/DHA, I note that one softgel provides 500 mgs of sardine oil. That would mean I would have to take 20 pills per day to get the 10 grams stated above. However, I also take 2 tablespoons of flaxoil in my food daily (measured in ml so not sure of equivalent), and take 3 gelcaps of Perilla Oil a source of Omega-3. I do occasionally eat fish –mostly wild salmon. I never eat farm-raised fish. I have been concerned about antibiotics and hormones which these fish could be fed. This speaker told us that farm-raised fish are fed corn oil which causes them to have higher levels of Omega-6 fatty acids than Omega-3. Not a good thing. Various studies have shown the value of fish oil in the human diet. Omega-3 has been shown to induce differentiation (Wang, 2000). This is to be desired for cancer patients. When a cell is malignant, it tends to lose its differentiation. It also depresses many inflammatory genes that can block apoptosis (that is cell death which is also desirable, we want cancer cells to die off). Omega-3 also decreases the estrogen metabolism (Noble et al, 1997;Osborn et al, 1988). It can suppress angiogenesis (development of blood vessels to a tumor) (Form & Auerbach, 1983). In a study important to patients in therapy, Bougnoux et al showed that the more Omega-3 in the tissues, the better the response to chemotherapy. Dr. Hardman stated that she sees no difference in fat from fish or supplements. In fact she suggested that the supplements might be purified in some ways. Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.