Fish Oil Helps Some Cancer Patients with Wasting
 (HealthDayNews, 9/24/04)

Dr. C. Patrick Burns of the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine in Iowa City, and team, prescribed high doses of omega-3 fatty acid supplements to 43 cancer patients with malnutrition. The researchers adjusted dosages by body weight, so that a person weighing 150 pounds, for instance, was assigned eleven one-gram capsules daily, divided into two doses taken at breakfast and lunch. The investigators had to reduce the dosage during the study because many patients could not tolerate so many capsules; but among 36 subjects who took some capsules, six gained more than 5% body mass or achieved normal weight; while 24 others stabilized within 5% of their current weight. Only six lost more than 5 % body mass. The scientists speculate that fatty acids in fish oil block the secretion of inflammatory substances and inhibit the breakdown of protein and fat; thus, protecting against cachexia, weight loss induced by chronic disease.

(Cancer, July 15, 2004)