Skin Cancer Risk Halved by Omega-3 Intake

Regular consumption of Omega-3 fatty acids cuts the risk factor for developing skin cancers like carcinomas and melanomas by half. This conclusion comes from a study by the University of Manchester, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. According to Professor Rhodes’ team, Omega-3 intake can enhance the skin’s protection against harmful solar radiation, thus lowering the risk of skin cancer.

Study Highlights

Funded by the Association for International Cancer Research, the study demonstrated that regular Omega-3 intake reduces by 50% a key risk factor linked to carcinomas and melanomas. Previous animal studies had suggested this benefit, but this is the first research conducted on human volunteers to confirm these findings.

The study investigated how solar radiation induces immunosuppression, which increases the likelihood of infections and skin cancers. The trial involved 79 healthy participants who took 5 grams daily of an Omega-3 supplement containing 3.5 g EPA and 500 mg DHA for three months. Researchers then simulated sun exposure equivalent to 8, 15, and 30 minutes of summer sun.

Immunosuppression, a promoter of skin cancer, was reduced by 50% in those taking Omega-3 supplements exposed for 8 and 15 minutes. No significant difference was observed at 30 minutes of exposure. The researchers emphasize that Omega-3s are not a replacement for sunscreen or safe sun exposure practices (such as avoiding peak hours), but they provide valuable support in protecting the skin against melanomas and carcinomas.

Source: Suzanne M Pilkington, Karen A Massey, Susan P Bennett, Naser MI Al-Aasswad, et al. “Randomized controlled trial of oral omega-3 PUFA in solar-simulated radiation-induced suppression of human cutaneous immune responses,” Volume 97, Number 3, Pages 646-652, doi: 10.3945/ajcn.112.049494, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.