Zinc, ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamin D: An essential combination for prevention and treatment of cancers.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to review the anticancer properties of zinc, ω-3 PUFAs, and vitamin D, focusing on their molecular biological properties and potential benefits in chemotherapy.
Results Summary
The study found that zinc, ω-3 PUFAs, and vitamin D exhibit anti-cancer properties through different modes of action, are safe, and may enhance chemotherapy efficacy when sufficient levels are maintained.
Population
Aged individuals and those undergoing chemotherapy.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
zinc | decrease | cancer | - | - | have anti-cancer properties | #1 |
ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) | decrease | cancer | - | - | have anti-cancer properties | #2 |
vitamin D | decrease | cancer | - | - | have anti-cancer properties | #3 |
zinc | increase | health | the aged | - | are essential for good health | #4 |
ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) | increase | health | the aged | - | are essential for good health | #5 |
vitamin D | increase | health | the aged | - | are essential for good health | #6 |
zinc | decrease | undesirable actions | - | - | correcting and inhibiting undesirable actions | #7 |
ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) | decrease | undesirable actions | - | - | correcting and inhibiting undesirable actions | #8 |
vitamin D | decrease | undesirable actions | - | - | correcting and inhibiting undesirable actions | #9 |
Zinc, ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and vitamin D are essential nutrients for health, maturation and general wellbeing. Extensive literature searches have revealed the widespread similarity in molecular biological properties of zinc, ω-3 PUFAs and vitamin D, and their similar anti-cancer properties, even though they have different modes of action. These three nutrients are separately essential for good health, especially in the aged. Zinc, ω-3 PUFAs and vitamin D are inexpensive and safe as they are fundamentally natural and have the properties of correcting and inhibiting undesirable actions without disturbing the normal functions of cells or their extracellular environment. This review of the anticancer properties of zinc, ω-3 PUFAs and vitamin D is made in the context of the hallmarks of cancer. The anticancer properties of zinc, ω-3 PUFAs and vitamin D can therefore be used beneficially through combined treatment or supplementation. It is proposed that sufficiency of zinc, ω-3 PUFAs and vitamin D is a necessary requirement during chemotherapy treatment and that clinical trials can have questionable integrity if this sufficiency is not checked and maintained during efficacy trials.