Can Purified Omega-3 Fatty Acid Help Fighting Bowel cancer?

According to a study, a purified form of Omega 3 may reduce the size and number of bowel growths called polyps in the people whose genetic make-up inclines them to bowel cancer.

Omega 3 can be naturally found in certain fish and nut oils. “By taking pills of purified fish regularly could slow down or even prevent bowel cancer for people who suffer from a genetic condition called familial adenomatous polyposis or FAP which make them prone to this kind of cancer,” revealed by a study.

FAP is the condition which exists in families, and people from that family are at an increased risk of bowel cancer. Those who have this kind of genetic condition get lots of small and fleshy growth called polyps on the inner surface of the bowels. And if it is not treated on time, these small fleshy growths are likely to turn into tumor. This rare genetic condition of FAP is thought to be responsible for about one in every 100 bowel cancer patients.


To prevent the side effects that some people get from taking huge amounts of fish oil, patients are given capsules with a coating to make sure that they would break down in the gut and not in the stomach. The side effects that people suffer from while taking large amounts of fish oil are: feeling sick, heartburn and fishy taste in the mouth.

Although larger studies are required for any concrete results, this research team of the study says that the results seen in those who are taking the fish oil are similar to drug called celecoxib, it is used to inhibit polyps among patients who are genetically vulnerable.

“Celecoxib, marketed as Celebrex, has been associated with the harmful cardiovascular side effects in older patients. In contrast to that Omega 3 supplements are “well tolerated,” and also has been shown to be good for heart,” according to doctors.