26 December 2012
Regular supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids and coenzyme Q10 reduces the level of a biomarker linked to prostate cancer risk, reports a new study from Iran.
In the randomized controlled trial, blood serum levels of the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) was measured in 504 healthy men (aged 40–70 years) receiving daily supplements of 400 mg CoQ10, omega-3 fatty acids (4.48 g eicosapentaenoic acid plus 2.88 g docosahexaenoic acid), 2.4 g of the omega-6 fatty acid gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) or placebo for 12 weeks (1). The study results showed that supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids and CoQ10 was associated with 30% and 33% reductions in PSA levels, respectively, while GLA intakes were associated with an increase of PSA of about 15%.
The researchers concluded that dietary supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids or CoQ10 may have a protective effect against developing prostate cancer and/or a therapeutic effect in men with prostate cancer. The cancer preventing effect may be due to omega-3 fatty acids’ anti-inflammatory and the antioxidant’s CoQ10 immune system stimulating efficacy. The scientists noted that the new findings need to be interpreted with caution: longer studies are necessary to reach an appropriate conclusion.
Prostate cancer accounts for 28% of total cancer incidence and is the second most common cause of cancer-related death of men in the USA. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing is widely used for the detection of asymptomatic and early-stage prostate cancer. Serum PSA concentrations may be affected by many factors unrelated to prostate disease, including age, dietary factors, obesity, diabetes and medications.
1 March 2013
A new review shows that regular vitamin C supplementation seems to have a consistent effect in reducing the duration and severity of common cold symptoms. A significant reduction in incidences of the common cold has been shown for people with heavy, short-term physical stress.
19 November 2012
Black Americans with knee osteoarthritis have higher rates of vitamin D deficiency and pain sensitivity when compared to white Americans, says a new US study.
22 February 2012
A new Danish study indicates that little or no intake of fish or long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids may be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in healthy, younger women.
