Breast cancer survivors who eat a healthy dose of omega-3 fats - found largely in oily fish such as salmon, tuna and mackerel - may have some extra energy throughout their day.Many people treated for cancer have lingering fatigue even years after their therapy ends, said researchers whose findings appeared in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Exactly what causes the long-term fatigue is unclear, but there is evidence that chronic inflammation in the body may play a role.
"Results link higher intake of omega- 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, decreased inflammation and decreased physical aspects of fatigue," wrote Rachel Ballard-Barbash, of the US National Cancer Institute, and her colleagues.
Omega-3 fats are thought to lessen inflammation, and research suggests that is especially true if the omega-3 replace some of the omega-6 fatty acids that make up a large share of the modern diet.
Omega-6 fats are found in margarine, vegetable oils and an array of snack foods, sweets and fast food. Too much of it is thought to promote inflammation.
The team looked at the relationship between omega-3 intake and fatigue among 633 breast cancer survivors. Overall, 42 percent of the women were considered "fatigued" three years after their diagnosis - and the problem was more common in those with higher blood levels of an inflammation-related protein called CRP.
Women who got more omega-3 in their diets had lower odds of fatigue, particularly if they used fish oil pills. Of those who got the most omega-3 relative to omega-6, about 23 percent were considered fatigued. That compared with 49 percent who did not use supplements and had the lowest omega-3 intake relative to omega-6.
REUTERS
