Evidence supporting the use of: Fish oil
For the health condition: Cancer (prevention)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Fish oil, rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (EPA and DHA), has been investigated for its potential role in cancer prevention and support. The scientific rationale is based on laboratory and animal studies suggesting that omega-3 fatty acids may inhibit cancer cell proliferation, induce apoptosis (cell death), and reduce inflammation, which is linked to cancer risk. Some epidemiological studies have observed associations between higher fish or omega-3 intake and reduced risk of certain cancers, such as breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer. However, findings are inconsistent and often confounded by dietary and lifestyle factors.

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and meta-analyses in humans provide limited and sometimes conflicting evidence. Most large-scale RCTs have not demonstrated a clear, clinically significant protective effect of fish oil supplementation against cancer incidence or mortality. For example, a 2019 meta-analysis published in the British Journal of Cancer concluded that omega-3 supplementation did not significantly reduce cancer risk or cancer mortality. However, fish oil may help cancer patients by supporting nutritional status and reducing cancer-related cachexia (weight loss and muscle wasting), although this is more of a supportive care role rather than direct cancer prevention.

In summary, while there is a scientific basis for ongoing research and some early promise in laboratory settings, current human evidence does not strongly support the use of fish oil for cancer prevention, and it should not be relied upon as a primary preventive measure.

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7-hydroxymatairesinol (HMR)
acai berry
ajoene
akkermansia muciniphila
algal oil
alpha-carotene
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
anthocyanins
apple
apricot
ashwagandha
astaxanthin
astragalus
barberry
barley
basil
beet
berberine
berry flavor
beta and delta tocopherols
beta caryophyllene
beta-carotene
Beta-Glucan
beta-sitosterol
bisabolol
black cumin
black garlic
radish
sesame
black tea
black walnut
blackberry
blueberry
branched-chain amino acids
broccoli
brussel sprouts
burdock
butyrate triglyceride
capsaicinoids
carrot
cat's claw
catechins
caterpillar mushroom
cauliflower
chaga mushroom
champignon
cherry
chia seed
Chinese salvia root
chlorella
chlorophyll
chokeberry
cinnamon
citrus bioflavonoids
citrus oil
citrus pectin
clove
collard
conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
cordyceps
cowage seed
cryptoxanthin
turmeric
curcumin
d-alpha tocopherol
d-glucarate
daidzin
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
diallyl disulfide (DADS)
diallyl trisulfide (DATS)
DIM (diindolylmethane)
dong quai root
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
eleuthero
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
fiber blend (proprietary)
fisetin
fish oil
fish protein
flavonols
flaxseed
folate
fruit and vegetable blend (proprietary)
gamma tocopherol
garlic bulb
genistein
genistin
ginger
ginseng
gooseberry
grape
grapefruit
greek mountain tea
onion
green tea
greens blend (proprietary)
hesperetin
hesperidin
hibiscus
HMR lignan
Indian tinospora
indole-3-carbinol
knotweed
jujube
kale
kelp
lactoferrin
lemon
lentinula edodes mycelia
lignans
lion's mane
lutein
luteolin
lychee
lycopene
mackerel
maitake mushroom
mangosteen
marine lipid
matcha
medium chain triglycerides (MCT)
mixed carotenoids
moringa
mustard seed
naringin
nettle
niacinamide (vitamin B3)
oleanolic acid
oleic acid
olive
omega-3 fatty acids
orange
oyster mushroom
parsley
pectin
perilla
phellodendron amurense
phenolic acids
phytosterols
pineapple
plum fruit
pomegranate
pomelo
protein
butyric acid
pumpkin
quail egg
quercetin
quinoa
raspberry
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
rhizome
rosemary
rutin
sardines
secoisolariciresinol diglucoside
selenium
shiitake mushroom
black ginger
soybean
sphaeranthus indicus
spinach
spirulina
stigmasterol
strawberry
sulforaphane glucosinolate
tocotrienols
tomato
trans-pterostilbene
tributyrin
triphala
turkey tail mushroom
Urolithin A
vegetable and fruit blend (proprietary)
vitamin A
vitamin B
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
seaweed
wasabia japonica
watercress
wheat grass
whey protein
mulberry
zinc
red clover
yellow root
suma
jiaogulan
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typhonium
papaya
shen-chu
capsicum
neem tree
nut grass
alpinia galangal
commiphora
smilax
tinospora cordifolia
caesalpinia crista
rubia cordifolia
bee pollen
lingzhi
pau d'arco
morus
lemongrass
myrrh
root tuber
ferulic acid
chrysanthemum
cistanche
dodder
fern
ganoderma
morinda
zanthoxylum
royal jelly
Equol (proprietary)
polyphenols
purslane
coix
aster root
yerba mate
wheat germ
noni
biota seed
nopal
goji berry
paw paw
algae
indigo leaves
cocoa
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
cayenne pepper
soy isoflavones
ashitaba
soursop
15,16-Dihydrotanshinone I
3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoic acid
4-Hydroxyandrostenedione
8-Bromo-7-Methoxychrysin
Aralia
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Anamu
American Pawpaw
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Avocado
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Acemannan
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allyl isothiocyanate
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anthocyanosides
Arabinoxylan
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Allium tuberosum
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Astragalin
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Baikal Skullcap
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bergenin
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berry
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Chordaria cladosiphon
Centella asiatica
Cinnamic Acid
Chocolate
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Curcuma
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Carotene (unspecified)
Clostridium butyricum
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Corilagin
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Cytokines
Costus
Celastrus
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Capsanthin
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Dunaliella salina
Docosahexaenoic Acid
Diallyl sulfide
Dihydrocapsaicin
Delphinidin
DNA
Dunaliella
Decursin
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Daidzein
Diosgenin
Didymin
Date
Dithiolthiones
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Dichrostachys glomerata
epicatechin
E-Viniferin
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Eclipta
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Emblicanin
Eicosapentaenoic Acid
Ellagitannin
Ecklonia
Enokitake
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Lotus
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