Fish Oil and Digestive Health

March 17, 2006

Fish Oil Eases Chemotherapy for Bowel Cancer Patients

A recent trial of fish oil bowel cancer patients at Sydney Hospital in Australia found that fish oil not only helped alleviate malnutrition and maintain their weight, but also made it easier to tolerate chemotherapy treatment:

Scientists at Concord Hospital say that in a trial, bowel cancer patients who took fish oil with Omega 3 fatty acids respond better to chemotherapy.

Professor Stephen Clarke says cancers produce inflammatory markers in some patients that cause problems in the ability to tolerate chemotherapy.

They also cause malnutrition.

But he says the anti-inflammatory and nutritional value of the fish oil has led to a better chance of successful chemotherapy.

This doesn't just apply to bowel cancer, of course:

Professor Clarke says the findings could also apply to people suffering from a range of cancers.

Source: Fish oil trial beneficial for bowel cancer patients

Posted by Marshall at 11:04 AM | Comments (0)

April 08, 2005

Fish Oil Relieves Ulcerative Colitis

If you suffer from ulcerative colitis (A chronic disease of unknown cause, characterized by ulceration of the colon and rectum with bleeding, mucosal crypt abscesses, and inflammatory pseudopolyps, often causing anemia, hypoproteinemia, and electrolyte imbalance), you may find relief with fish oil!

A study of 121 patients with ulcerative colitis found that a daily "nutritionally balanced cocktail of fish oil, soluble fiber, and antioxidants" significantly reduced their symtpoms. Why could that be? Well, fish oil causes your body to produce anti-inflammatory substances and colitis is an inflammatory disease.

Of course, I'm sure the fiber and the antioxidants helped too -- But only a little bit. ;-)

Posted by Marshall at 03:37 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack