Study: DHA Superior to Omega-3 in Suppressing Colon Cancer Growth

Researchers at the University of Nevada, Reno reported that an oil containing plant-derived docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) was superior to omega-3 fish oil in suppressing the growth of human colon cancer cells in mice.

The researchers found that while both DHA oil and fish oil, containing both DHA and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), inhibited colon cancer cell growth, the DHA oil developed by Martek Biosciences Corporation had a greater effect.

In their study, the animals received one of four specialized diets: low fat with corn oil (omega-6), high fat with corn oil (omega-6), high fat with fish oil (omega-3 EPA and DHA), and high fat with Martek's DHA (omega-3 DHA).

The researchers reported that the mice receiving a diet supplemented with DHA had tumors that were smaller than those of mice receiving diets supplemented with omega-3 from fish oil, and that both were smaller than those of mice fed omega-6 diets.

"These results show that omega-3 fatty acids possess significant tumor suppressing properties and that the primary tumor suppressing fatty acid is DHA," a Martek spokesperson said.

Other Sources: Martek Biosciences Corporation