The Role of Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) in the Control of Obesity and Metabolic Derangements in Breast Cancer.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to explore the role of DHA in controlling obesity-related inflammation and reducing insulin resistance in breast cancer development, progression, and response to therapies.
Results Summary
The study found that low basal DHA levels are linked to increased cancer risk and relapse, while DHA supplementation improves response to anticancer therapies and reduces side effects. However, controversy exists regarding DHA's anticancer effects, necessitating larger clinical trials.
Population
Older women with obesity and breast cancer risk in western countries.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Healthy diet and correct lifestyle | neutral | treatment of obesity and prevention of BC | - | - | play crucial role | #1 |
Obesity | increase | BC | older women | almost 50% | contributes to | #2 |
low basal docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels | increase | cancer risk and its relapse | - | - | appear to be important in increasing | #3 |
low basal docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels | neutral | its progression and prognosis | - | - | influencing | #4 |
low basal docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels | neutral | response to treatments | - | - | affecting | #5 |
DHA supplementation | increase | response to anticancer therapies | - | - | increases | #6 |
DHA supplementation | decrease | undesired side effects of anticancer therapies | - | - | reduces | #7 |
higher fish consumption or intake of DHA | decrease | BC cell growth | - | - | reduces | #8 |
higher fish consumption or intake of DHA | decrease | its relapse risk | - | - | reduces | #9 |
DHA | neutral | obesity-related inflammation | - | - | capacity in controlling | #10 |
DHA | decrease | insulin resistance | - | - | capacity in reducing | #11 |
Obesity represents a major under-recognized preventable risk factor for cancer development and recurrence, including breast cancer (BC). Healthy diet and correct lifestyle play crucial role for the treatment of obesity and for the prevention of BC. Obesity is significantly prevalent in western countries and it contributes to almost 50% of BC in older women. Mechanisms underlying obesity, such as inflammation and insulin resistance, are also involved in BC development. Fatty acids are among the most extensively studied dietary factors, whose changes appear to be closely related with BC risk. Alterations of specific ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), particularly low basal docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels, appear to be important in increasing cancer risk and its relapse, influencing its progression and prognosis and affecting the response to treatments. On the other hand, DHA supplementation increases the response to anticancer therapies and reduces the undesired side effects of anticancer therapies. Experimental and clinical evidence shows that higher fish consumption or intake of DHA reduces BC cell growth and its relapse risk. Controversy exists on the potential anticancer effects of marine ω-3 PUFAs and especially DHA, and larger clinical trials appear mandatory to clarify these aspects. The present review article is aimed at exploring the capacity of DHA in controlling obesity-related inflammation and in reducing insulin resistance in BC development, progression, and response to therapies.