Omega-3 Fish Oil May Protect Against Colorectal Cancer	Darrell Miller	02/27/07
Vitamin D May Show Benefits Against Breast and Colorectal Cancer	Darrell Miller	02/27/07

Date: February 27, 2007 02:05 PM
Author: Darrell Miller (dm@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: Omega-3 Fish Oil May Protect Against Colorectal Cancer

Increased intake of omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. It has been proposed that anti-inflammatory prostaglandins derived from omega-3 fatty acids may inhibit the cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) enzyme and production of proinflammatory elcosanoids derived from arachidonic acid (omega-6 fatty acids), theoretically linked to cancer formation and cell proliferation. The research investigated the link between the omega-3 and -6 concentrations in the blood of 17B men with colorectal cancer (cases) and 282 age-and smoking-matched controls without cancer. In the study subset not taking aspirin, the subjects with the highest blood concentration of omega-3’s were associated with a significant 66-percent reduced risk of colorectal cancer, compared with the lowest blood concentration. “Blood levels of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids were associated with decreased risk of colorectal cancer among men not using aspirin,” concluded the researchers. (Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention, February 2007, Volume 16, Pages 314-321)

Date: February 27, 2007 02:09 PM
Author: Darrell Miller (dm@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: Vitamin D May Show Benefits Against Breast and Colorectal Cancer

Review and meta-analysis of several studies led researchers from several institutions to determine that an increased daily intake of vitamin D may significantly correlate with reduced incidences of colorectal and breast cancer. The breast cancer study pooled dose-response data from two earlier studies of 1,760 subjects. Subjects with the highest serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, or 25(OH)D (50 nanograms per milliliter), had a fifty percent lower risk of breast cancer compared to those with the lowest blood concentrations; less than or equal to 10 nanograms per milliliter. The colorectal cancer meta-analysis looked at fiver studies of 1,448 caucasian subjects. The authors estimate a two-thirds reduction in incidence with serum concentrations of 46 nanograms per milliliter, corresponding to a daily intake of 2,000 IU of vitamin D3. the researchers state the best way to achieve these concentrations is a combination of diet, supplements and 10 to 15 minutes per day in the sun. (Journal of Steroid Biochemistry Medicine, volume 32, Number 3, Pages 210-216)