Omega 3′s & cancer

The University of Texas

MD Anderson Cancer Center

Integrative Medicine Center

May, 2012

Omega 3 Fatty Acids: Their Role in Cancer Prevention and Treatment

By Peiying Yang PhD | Assistant Professor, General Oncology, MD Anderson
and Lorenzo Cohen, PhD | Professor and Director, Integrative Medicine Program
Omega-3 fatty acids (ω-3 FAs) come from two main sources: 1) Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are derived from fish and fish oils and 2) Alpha-linolenic acid is abundant in green leafy vegetables, flaxseed and
rapeseed (canola) oils. These essential fatty acids can only come from a healthy diet and cannot be made by the human body. Generally, ω-3 FAs are considered natural anti-inflammatory agents as they help to regulate inflammatory pathways. Extensive research supports the protective role of marine-derived ω-3 FAs in decreasing risk factors for cardiovascular disease, heart attacks and sudden cardiac death. As a result, the FDA has approved
one specific fish oil supplement, Lovaza (containing both EPA and DHA in an ethyl ester form versus the more
common triglyceride form), for the treatment of hypertriglyceridemia (a condition in which triglyceride levels are
elevated). Unlike the beneficial effects of ω-3 FAs in cardiovascular disease, the role of ω-3 FAs for cancer
prevention and treatment remains uncertain.

Most preclinical studies show that ω-3 FAs decrease cancer cell growth and induce apoptosis (programmed cell death) in various cancer types including solid and hematological tumors. Population-based studies have found that fish
consumption is inversely associated with the risk of various malignancies, including lung, colon, prostate,
breast, and pancreatic (i.e., as fish consumption goes up the risk of cancer goes down). Studies comparing people
with prostate cancer to those without prostate cancer suggest marine derived ω-3 FAs may be protective
against aggressive prostate cancer. ω-3 FAs may also be important in helping with symptom control. A recent
study found that high intake of ω-3 FAs was associated with decreased inflammation and lower levels of fatigue
in breast cancer survivors. Population-based studies, however, do not necessarily equate to causation and
clinical trials are needed in this area. One such clinical trial found that the EPA free fatty acids (6 months of
treatment) decreased the formation of colon polyps by 22.6% in people with familial adenomatous polyposis,
who have an increase risk of developing colorectal cancer. Thus, ω-3 FA could potentially prevent cancers, especially
those associated with chronic inflammation including colon, lung, and pancreatic cancer.

To fully evaluate the role of ω-3 FA in cancer management, more rigorous systematic studies need to be conducted. The National Institute for Health is funding a $20 million dollar study to explore if vitamin D and fish oil (EPA and DHA in an ethyl ester form), the VITAL study, can reduce the risk for developing cancer, heart disease, and stroke. This large trial, and many other ongoing clinical trials using other forms of ω-3 FA, will help determine the role of ω-3 FA in cancer prevention and treatment.

Source: MD Anderson – click here for more info

Thought for the Day

It is your heart, not the dictionary, that gives meaning to your words.

image: vine2victory

Fear of Rejection

The fear of rejection can be paralyzing.  It can hold us captive causing us to miss opportunities and blessings God has for us.  The fear is very real. It could be that things have happened in our lives that cause us to be extremely cautious about sharing too much of ourselves with others, or that stifles our ability to connect with  someone we are attracted to.  Perhaps it is just too threatening–the fear of being hurt is over-powering, instead we settle for safe, comfortable, convenient relationships.  There is a better way.

As we allow God to heal our hearts and our hurts, we will then have the freedom from within to reach for the golden prize God has for us.  Luke 4:40 says “Everyone was healed who came to be healed.” Ask God to heal your broken heart and your hurts; and  Psalm 147:3 says, ” God heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds.”

Don’t let fear of rejection stand in the way of true happiness.  Allow God to heal the hurts, then take a step toward your prize with God’s help.  He promises to be with you and to bless you.  Allow Him to do that, won’t you?

image by: chrisharrison

What to do when you are lower than a snake’s belly…

Life has a way of sometimes grabbing hold of us and not letting go until we’ve been turned upside down and inside out with worry, fear, or discouragement.  Perhaps you’ve suffered loss–either someone you loved, or something you wanted so badly, but it seemed out of reach, or just as you were reaching for it, someone else grabbed it first.  The truth is, life is hard, and life is not fair, but we do the best we can with what we have and move on, right?

For the most part, that seems true.  But when you have experienced such bone-crushing loss that encapsulates you and threatens to destroy your peace,  hope for the future and your very existence, then pat answers about picking yourself up and dusting yourself off do not work.  When everything within you screams desolation, you can dust all you want, but the dust remains.  I’ve had those kinds of days–days when I wanted nothing more than to crawl back into bed and just stay there until hell froze over; probably you have too.  We all have periods of ebbing and flowing; good times and bad.

But how do we get out of the funk when we feel lower than a snake’s belly?  What has helped me most during those times is to find some positive thought I can cling to–something that gives me comfort and hope. Today I was reading Psalm 139.   I love the Psalms because they are so practical.  The writers of the Psalms expressed themselves with such gut-twisting honesty, that most of us can relate to them.   Part of Psalm 139 says: O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my every thought when far away. You chart the path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest. Every moment you know where I am. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. You both precede and follow me. You placed you hand of blessing on my head. …How precious are your thoughts about me, O God! They are innumerable!

Isn’t it comforting to know that the God of the universe thinks about each of us, individually? He knows where we are currently, and where we are going.  He places His hand on our heads and blesses us.  He wants us joyful and happy, fulfilled and satisfied.  He wants us to prosper and do well,  successful and to have meaningful, supportive, loving relationships.

Knowing that God is not against me or punishing me when I am going through hard times, removes some of the stress of the situation.  Although the circumstances have not changed, my focus and center of attention have shifted from the problem to the problem solver.  Only then can I cling to His promises and trust Him to do what He says He will do. 2 Chronicles 20:15 says – Do not be afraid or dismayed, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.  Now I can drop my problems in God’s lap knowing He will take care of it–because He said He would. It’s not easy to let go and let God–if you can’t, ask Him to help you–He will.

 

Here’s the thing…

Several months ago I purchased a razzle-dazzle electronic toothbrush.   One of the features that intrigued me was that it was to beep indicating when to move to the next quadrant of my mouth, then shut itself off after the last quadrant was completed.  It came complete with additional toothbrush heads and a storage compartment that sterilizes the heads using a miniature ultra-violet light inside the storage unit.   Sounds great, right?  Well, I thought so at the time, but…here’s the thing…

At first use, I removed the brush from my mouth prior to its shut -off time necessitating the need to clean splatter from the bathroom mirror.  Secondly, the pre-set beeping took much longer to occur than expected.  One would think that it would encourage longer brushing, but what really happened was that I now had an appliance telling me I was inadequate.  Do we really need appliances telling us we are doing it wrong?  I wonder who decided that X amount of time to brush was the right amount of time?   Every dental checkup has always resulted in the hygienist telling me I was doing a great job–no plaque buildup, etc.

As I see it, I have two options: don’t use the super sonic mocking toothbrush, or use it and ignore its taunts and rise above the silent message of inadequacy.  I chose the latter.  It reminds me that we are all different; some of may need additional brushing time, while others much less.  We are not one size fits all.

Likewise, there will be people in our lives who tend to make us feel inadequate no matter hard or how long we try to please them.  If that is the case, you have two options: get out of the relationship that taunts, mocks and sends a constant message of inadequacy; or stay in, ignore the messages and rise above, knowing that you are a person of great value.  There is not a reason on earth to accept anything but positive, uplifting messages about who you are and what you can do.  God breathed the breath of life into you.  His love for you is deeper than the ocean.  Remember whose you are–He thinks you are special, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

image source: photographyblogger

Publishing Updates

As many of you know, since January I have had three articles published: two in Recovering the Self Journal, and one in Changes in Life.  

Since then I have been honored to accept a position as a judge for the Royal Palms Literary Awards competition, which is currently under way.  Entries range from book length autobiography/memoirs, scripts, poetry, and short story essays to book length fiction pieces. I have had the pleasure and opportunity to read others’ work and rate it based on established criteria and offer my constructive criticism and suggestions.  It has been a wonderful experience.

Additionally, I’ve just learned that three additional stories I’ve written will be included in an anthology that Sleepytown Press is publishing in July.

I am excited about these developments and blessings in my life.

I continue to work on my trilogy, Abused No More, written specifically for women who are, or have been in abusive relationships, and are recovering from them.  The purpose of the trilogy is to provide a source of comfort, encouragement, and hope. I am looking forward to completing this project and seeing it in print before year’s end.

Thank you for your prayers, support and encouragement as I  go about the business of being a beacon of hope for others.

Linda

And Peter

Have you ever been an “and Peter”?  As the story goes, Jesus and his disciples were in the Garden of Gethsemane.  Jesus was praying when Judas, his betrayer and a mob came to drag Jesus before Caiaphas, the high priest to answer the charges against him–that He claimed to be God.   Peter followed at a distance.  When they got to the high priest’s courtyard, Peter stood by the fire warming himself, waiting to see what would become of Jesus.  While inside Jesus was being interrogated, ridiculed, mocked and beaten beyond recognition. They stripped him of his clothes and pressed a branch of a thorn bush fashioned into a crown onto his head.  He suffered physical pain, emotional humiliation and mental anguish.  He never once denied being God in the flesh to escape the torture.  He never defended himself when interrogated.   Instead he kept quiet.  Why?  For us.

Meanwhile, outside in the courtyard someone recognized Peter and pointed out to everyone there that Peter had been with Jesus–a follower.  Three times he was accused and three times he denied being a follower; he denied even knowing Jesus.  He denied Jesus in his hour of need–his friend, his Savior, his teacher; the one whom he followed and worked beside for three years day and night.

On the first day of the week after Jesus’ burial, the women went to Jesus’ tomb with herbs to anoint him, but found the tomb empty.  An angel appeared to them telling them that Jesus would appear to them in Galilee.  ”Go tell his disciples and Peter to meet him there.”

It is significant that Jesus specifically requested “and Peter.”   Peter denied Christ, but Christ will never, ever deny us–no matter what we’ve done; no matter what we’ve said; no matter what …  We can hardly fathom the kind of love that Christ has for us.  The kind that would sacrifice his own life, would suffer a horrible death and humiliation and then would lovingly say, Peter, I love you, no matter what.  And whoever you are, if you are reading this, Christ is saying to you today, I love you–no matter what.  Don’t be afraid to come near to me.  Don’t think that I reject you because you have said or done things for which you are ashamed.  I loved you then. I love you still.  I always will.  Praise God! He is Risen!