Women: fish oil supplements to prevent colon polyps

The Omega 3 fatty acids Omega 3 prove once again to be important allies for women's well-being: eating fish, a food rich in these nutrients, helps to prevent the onset of colon polyps. This is revealed by a study conducted by the team of Dr. Harvey J Murff, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. According to the authors of the study, regular fish consumption would allow women to prevent the formation of colon polyps. The term "polyp" refers to a small pathological growth, often asymptomatic, that forms on a mucous membrane (such as the nose, uterus, intestines, stomach, and, indeed, colon). Over time and if not monitored, this physical manifestation could develop into cancer.

Colon polyps and Omega-3: the study

Dr. Murff states that the anti-inflammatory action of Omega-3s is effective in reducing the risk of tumor development. Murff is also very clear on another point: it is necessary to eat fish at least 3 times a week to enhance the preventive power of these fatty acids. The research was conducted over 7 years on a sample of 5,307 people (40% women, 60% men) undergoing colonoscopy:

• 3,166 subjects without polyps;
• 1,597 subjects with adenomatous polyps;
• 544 subjects with hyperplastic polyps.

Patients were asked to fill out a questionnaire containing the following information:

• dietary habits
• lifestyle
• personal and family medical history

These factors were associated with other important clinical data, such as age and body mass index. The final results were interesting: women who consumed at least 3 servings of fish per week reduced by 33% the possibility of developing adenomatous polyps.

Fish that contain Omega-3

Omega-3s are mostly found in fatty fish:

• salmon
• mackerel
• sardines
• anchovies
• herring
• tuna
• halibut
• swordfish

Conclusions

The data collected indicate that the intake of high amounts of marine-derived fatty acids is associated with a reduced tumor risk. However, such benefits were not observed in male subjects and patients.    

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