By Leigh Parry
Omega-3 fatty acids – found in foods such as salmon and sardines – can help stem dramatic weight loss in patients having major cancer surgery, according to a new study.
Irish researchers studied the benefits of omega-3 supplements for patients with cancer of the oesophagus undergoing surgery.
The surgery is a serious procedure and weight loss is very common before and after the operation.
Lead researcher Professor John V Reynolds of Trinity College Dublin and St James’ Hospital said the study found 68 per cent of patients suffered ‘clinically severe’ weight loss after surgery, compared with only eight per cent in patients given omega 3 supplements.
The findings were reported in the Annals of Surgery journal.
“The significant finding was that the patients did not lose just fat…but instead they depleted their muscle stores significantly,” Professor Reynolds said.
“Omega-3 enriched nutrition appears to prevent loss of muscle mass by reducing the amount of inflammatory markers in the blood – this means the metabolism is not as stressed as it usually is post surgery.”
He said the patients given omega-3 were also less likely to have a fever in the first week after surgery which pointed to the ability of omega-3 to suppress inflammation.
Professor Reynolds said it was possible other patients needing operations such as liver transplantation or major cardiac surgery could also benefit from omega-3.
Annals of Surgery, March 2009;249;3:355-363.
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