Eating fatty fish reduces actinic keratosis by 28%

Actinic Keratosis: Eating Fatty Fish Reduces It by 28%

A high intake of foods rich in Omega-3 can help protect against skin cancers. A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that people consuming these nutrients have a lower risk of actinic keratosis, rough skin lesions that predict cancer development¹. To protect the skin, moderate amounts of Omega-3 are enough to prevent the formation of these spots.

Actinic Keratosis, a Warning Sign Before Cancer

Actinic keratoses are rough, scaly spots caused by prolonged sun exposure, also called solar keratoses. They are considered precancerous lesions. Their presence is linked to chronic damage and a high likelihood of developing various skin cancers, such as squamous cell carcinoma. Reducing sun exposure time is the primary strategy to prevent both keratoses and skin cancer. However, several studies suggest that diet can also help counter the development of these diseases.

Omega-3 Rich Diet and Keratosis: The Link

Studies have shown that the incidence of squamous cell carcinoma doubles with diets high in meat and fats, while it halves in those consuming large amounts of green leafy vegetables^2,3. Similar results were found in a study focused on keratosis appearance: reducing dietary fat intake by 20 to 40% lowered the average number of lesions developed over two years from 10 ± 13 to 3 ± 7⁴.

Omega-3 Reduce the Incidence of Keratosis

Building on this knowledge, researchers from the Queensland Institute of Medical Research in Brisbane (Australia) analyzed in detail the correlation between diet and solar keratoses. They collected dietary data from 1,119 individuals involved in a skin cancer study in Queensland through questionnaires filled out in three different years:

• 1992
• 1994
• 1996

In 1992 and 1996, the incidence of keratoses was also assessed.

The analysis revealed that eating just one serving of fatty fish rich in Omega-3 reduces keratosis by 28%. This result is very similar to the effect of drinking wine, a valuable source of antioxidant molecules. Indeed, the same study showed that half a glass of wine per day reduces actinic keratoses by 27%.

Sunscreens Complement a Healthy Diet

Based on these results, the study authors concluded that diet and sunscreens can help reduce the appearance of actinic keratoses. In particular, increasing the consumption of foods rich in Omega-3 contributes to protecting the skin from precancerous lesions.

Source:

1. Hughes MC, Williams GM, Fourtanier A, Green AC, “Food intake, dietary patterns, and actinic keratoses of the skin: a longitudinal study”, Am J Clin Nutr. 2009 Apr;89(4):1246-55. Epub 2009 Feb 25 

2. Ibiebele TI, van der Pols JC, Hughes MC, Marks GC, Williams GM, Green AC, “Dietary pattern in association with squamous cell carcinoma of the skin: a prospective study”, Am J Clin Nutr 2007;85:1401–8 

3. Hughes MC, van der Pols JC, Marks GC, Green AC, “Food intake and risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin in a community: the Nambour skin cancer cohort study”, Int J Cancer 2006;119:1953–60 

4. Black HS, Herd JA, Goldberg LH, et al, “Effect of a low-fat diet on the incidence of actinic keratosis”, N Engl J Med 1994;330:1272–5