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 December 2012
Beta-carotene is an important dietary source of vitamin A for humans. However, the bioavailability and vitamin A equivalency of beta-carotene are highly variable and can be affected by food- and diet-related factors as well as characteristics of the population, such as nutrient deficiencies and genetic variations associated with beta-carotene metabolism.
20 January 2010
High blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids may slow cellular ageing in people with coronary heart disease, suggests a new study.
1 March 2015
Since older people often do not process food well, old age may be considered a risk factor for inadequate micronutrient uptake. In the course of the natural aging process, several bodily functions deteriorate. An insufficient supply of micronutrients to the organism can accelerate the natural aging process and aggravate the decline of cell renewal processes, immune defense, eyesight and hearing, and cognitive performance. Further, the presence of chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, diabetes and cancer can increase micronutrient requirements. It is therefore all the more necessary to ensure that older people receive an optimal supply of vitamins, minerals, trace elements and essential fatty acids. However, many older people are a long way from consuming the recommended daily amounts, even in highly developed industrial nations.
