FISH OIL FRIEND or FOE?

Based on a recent article in Life Extension Magazine the news media turned a faulty report into a news story that somehow Omega-3s caused prostate cancer. One fact that immediately discredited the report as that NONE of the study subjects were apparently taking any fish oil supplements, neither were they eating meaningful amounts of COLD WATER FISH.

To top it off the study authors admitted they had no idea how the study subject's obtained their Omega-3's, but the percentages of plasma Omega-3's were so low that in fact the men in the study were ingesting insufficient amounts of omega-3's in their diet.

Life Extension has been studying and testing omega-3 levels in their own members of several years. In a test the measures long term intake of omega-3's, the members who took fish oil scored an average of 8.42%

The flawed study was a short term measurement of omega-3 plasma levels. They concurred that plasma readings of 4.48% meant NO prostate cancer, however if the reading went up a mere fraction to 4.66% prostate cancer supposedly soared. The difference was so trivial at (0.18%) it could not explain any effect on prostate cancer risk. Te variance was so tiny that if a man ate salmon the night before the test, he would have fallen into the higher omega-3 group even if he never at fish again over the entire multi year course of the study.

The media also was quick to quote conventional doctors who cautioned against fish oil supplements or even eating omega-3 rich foods based on this one flawed study. Since the plasma was measured only ONCE in the 9 years, the whole test is ridiculous and does not take into consideration what supplements or lack there of or what other foods these men ate over the subsequent 6 to 9 years.

The article was long and detailed and I cannot do it justice here. In closing in contrast to the attack on omega-3's scientific literature identifies diets high in omega-6 fats, trans fatty acids and saturated fats as associated with greater prostate cancer risk and diets high in omega-3's fats and fats from fish has been shown to reduce the risk of prostate cancer.

AS FOR ME, I will continue to sprinkle Omega 3 rich flax seeds on my oatmeal and continue to take fish oil caps along with my other supplements.

Just for the record:

Here are ONLY (4) of TWELVE DIFFERENT EXTENSIVE STUDIES LISTED IN THE ARTICLE which counter the results from this one flawed study that took place over 9 years however only TESTED PLASMA LEVELS once:


A 2010 study found a 63% reduction in prostate cancer death rates in those with higher fish consumption.

A 2004 study of 47,866 men found a trend towards decreased risk of prostate cancer with increasing levels of EPA and DHA

A 2007 Harvard Study of 14, 916 men found lower incidence of prostate cancer in men who had higher levels of long chain omega-3 fatty acids

A 2013 Harvard study of 293,464 men found increased omega-3 fatty acid intake was associated with significantly lower rate of fatal prostate cancer

You decide for yourself. The article appeared in the October 2013 issue of Life Extension Magazine.

Dan

Matthew 19:26 - But Jesus beheld [them], and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

Mark 9:23 - Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things [are] possible to him that believeth.

Mark 10:27 - And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men [it is] impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

Luke 1:37 - For with God nothing shall be impossible.

Luke 18:27 - And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.