Foundation Nutrition: Somethings Fishy

The past few weeks have reminded me that we are looking for answers and most of us want a straight answer. We need to take in the information decipher it and solve the puzzle the best we can.  This has been an ongoing thought in my mind, it is why I have switched to free range poultry, grass fed beef, bison, elk and other game meats as well as a mostly organic fruit and vegetable diet. But at times I scratch my head to like when we need to be conscious of the animal’s state of mind prior to slaughter. So we do not take in any unnecessary cortisol the stress hormone or other poisons. It makes sense but makes me wonder if you’re trying to just bust my balls or you are serious. 

Fish Oil and Omega 3 Fatty Acids have been in the news again due to a new article published in July 2013 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. The article suggests that there is an association between elevated plasma omega 3 fatty acid levels and a heightened risk of prostate cancer.  We must take the results of this article with a grain of salt  given the following factors; the data used in the article was taken from a much larger study previously conducted that was not designed to determine any of the conclusions reached in the analysis found in the article. Findings published in the article are contrary to other studies which have found omega3 fatty acids can offer some protection from prostate cancer. The study that had this finding designed to do so "Consumption of Fish Products across the lifespan and Prostate Cancer Risk"1.

They noted the physiological marker of elevated Omega3 levels in men with prostate cancer, but failed to showed causation. The problem with causation is twofold in that the study only measured the Omega3 levels one time with a plasma test, the levels can be influenced by diet and or behavior. Nor did they review any of the participant’s dietary intake of fatty fish or supplementation of Omega 3's basing the conclusion of the study on one blood test. This could have been avoided if they used the Omega-3 index test this measures EPA and DHA in red blood cells, and is noted to be a more accurate indicator of long term omega-3 intake than the plasma omega-3 level which is influenced by day to day variables. 

A number of risk factors were present in the study may have had an influence on the purported results of the study. It is of note that 53% of the subjects with prostate cancer were smokers, 64% of the cancer subjects regularly consumed alcohol, 30% of the cancer subjects had at least one first degree relative with prostate cancer and 80% of the cancer subjects were overweight or obese. Most of all the article fails to show or suggest a biological mechanism that would explain why the fatty acids may increase tumorigenesis.

The benefits of eating fish and supplementing with Omega 3 fatty acids have been researched, and are well documented. Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to improve cardiovascular profiles, as well as reduce chronic pain and inflammation.A dose of 2 grams of  EPA-DHA daily reduced pain in almost 60% of patients with neck and low back pain 2 In this case we are lucky the medical based evidence make it starkly clear that it would not be prudent to alter your current meal and supplementation plan with omega 3 fatty acids. We need to be vigilant in researching the researchers, was this an unbiased study, what were there sources of information. In this case was the data or study flawed from the outset, or what was said data truly intended for.  Often times we do not get a straight answer, we need to dig, research, get our hands dirty and work for it. But working for it is not always a bad thing. Sorry the postings have been sparse the last two weeks, we will get back on a normal schedule. The ideal amount of posts is three with the occasional weekend list. I have been busy doing some writing that will be up here in the coming week. Sunday I have a post about desire and will, the supplements and foods for joint health will be coming as well. As always please read and share this blog !

Sources

Torfadottir JE, Valdimarsdottir U, Mucci L. Kasperzyk J, Fall K, Tryggvadottir L, Aspelund T, Olafsson O, Harris T, Jonsson E, Tulinius H, Gudnason V, Adami HO, Stampfer M, Steingrimsdotti L, Consumption of Fish Products across the Lifespan and Prostate Cancer Risk PLOS ONE 2013 8 (4) e59799

Maroon JC, Bost JW. Omega3 fatty acids as an anti-inflammatory: an alternative to NSAID fir Discogenic pain. Surg Neurol 2006 65 (4) 326-331