Fatty acids fight cancer

The role of essential fatty acids (EFAs) in treating advanced pancreatic cancer has been underlined by researchers at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

Two EFAs in particular, gamma linolenic and eicosapentenoic acids, can help offset the great weight loss associated with the cancer, which can lead to death. Fatty acids can also act as an anti-inflammatory.

Doctors at the Edinburgh hospital say they emphasize the role of the EFAs as an aid to offset weight loss when prescribing them to patients, although they concede there is evidence which suggests they can also kill tumours.

EFAs are also a far more benign treatment than conventional chemotherapy, another important consideration if the patient is badly weakened by advanced cancer.

!ABMJ, 20 August 1994.