It has been well established that Omega-3 fatty acids have strong antioxidant properties.  And new research is showing that for some cancer patients, consumption of Omega-3’s can significantly improve the instance of systemic inflammatory response syndrome, as well as the length of hospital stay.

In a randomized, controlled study involving 203 patients with gastrointestinal or colonic cancer who underwent gastrointestinal cancer surgery, results indicate that intravenous supplementation with fish oil may significantly reduce SIRS (systemic inflammatory response syndrome) and length of hospital stay. The patients were randomized to isocaloric and isonitrogenous intravenous infusions of either soybean oil alone (1.2 g per kg bodyweight per day; n=103) or soybean plus fish oil emulsion (1.0 and 0.2 g per kg per day respectively n=100) over 20-24 h daily for 7 days after surgery. Significantly shorter length of hospital stay and fewer cases of infectious complications and SIRS were observed in the treatment group, compared with the control group. Thus, the authors of this study conclude, “Fish oil emulsion-supplemented parenteral nutrition significantly reduced SIRS and length of hospital stay. These clinical benefits may be related to normalization of cellular immune functions and modulation of the inflammatory response.”

Omega-3 fatty acid can also help improve cardiovascular health and guard against stroke.  It fights free radical damage and can also make your skin look great.  Omega-3 fatty acid  is one nutritional supplement that has us hooked!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

To enjoy the benefits of a safe, pure omega-3 fatty acid nutritional supplement, try our Omega-Gel®.

Reference: http://www.vitasearch.com/get-clp-summary/39051, “Randomized clinical trial of intravenous soybean oil alone versus soybean oil plus fish oil emulsion after gastrointestinal cancer surgery,” Jiang ZM, Yu K, et al, Br J Surg, 2010; 97(6): 804-9. (Address: Department of Surgery and Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, and Centre for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, China. E-mail: jiangzm@imicams.ac.cn ).