Evidence supporting the use of: Omega-3 fatty acids
For the health condition: Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3
Omega-3 fatty acids have been investigated for their potential benefits in supporting cancer patients, particularly in reducing the side effects of cancer treatment. Scientific evidence suggests that omega-3 supplementation may help mitigate some negative effects of chemotherapy and other cancer therapies, such as inflammation, weight loss (cachexia), and immune dysfunction. Several clinical studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids, especially EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), can help maintain or improve nutritional status, reduce the risk of muscle wasting, and modulate inflammatory responses in cancer patients undergoing treatment.
For example, randomized controlled trials have reported that omega-3 supplementation can attenuate weight loss and improve appetite and quality of life in patients with advanced cancer. Some evidence also points to omega-3s reducing the severity of certain chemotherapy-induced side effects, such as peripheral neuropathy and inflammation. Additionally, omega-3 fatty acids may support immune function, which is often compromised during cancer treatment.
However, while the evidence is promising, it is not universally conclusive. Guidelines from medical organizations often state that more high-quality, large-scale trials are needed to firmly establish the benefits and determine optimal dosing and timing. Therefore, omega-3 fatty acids are sometimes recommended as an adjunctive support in cancer care, but not as a primary or standalone treatment for cancer or its side effects.
More about omega-3 fatty acids
More about Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Other ingredients used for Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoic acid5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine
Acemannan
Acetyl L-carnitine
Agarikon Mushroom
AHCC
Akkermansia muciniphila
Alantolactone
Algae
algal oil
Algal protein
Aloe vera
Alpha Glucans
alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG)
alpha-lipoic acid
amino acids
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
ampelopsin
anamu
Andrographis
andrographolide
Angelica
anthocyanidins
anti-aromatase
Antrodia camphorata
apigenin
arabinoxylan
Arisaema
Artepillin C
artesunate
ashitaba
ashwagandha
astaxanthin
aster root
astragaloside
astragalus
atractylodes
atractylone
Auricularia
baccosides
bacillus coagulans
bacillus subtilis
bacteria
bael
baicalein
baicalin
Baikal Skullcap
Baphicacanthus cusia
Basidiomycota
basil
BCAA
bee hive
bee products
bee propolis
Beef liver
beet
berberine
berry
beta caryophyllene
beta-glucan
beta-lapachone
betulinic acid
Bidens pilosa
Bifidobacteria
Bifidobacterium
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Bifidobacterium animalis
Bifidobacterium bifidum
Bifidobacterium breve
Bifidobacterium lactis
Bifidobacterium longum
biota seed
black cumin
black nightshade
black seed
blackberry
blueberry
Boerhavia diffusa
borneol
Boswellia
Boswellic Acid
boxthorne
branched-chain amino acids
Brassica
broccoli
bromelain
buckthorn
bupleurum falcatum
burdock
butein
butyrate triglyceride
C-phycocyanin
caffeic Acid
Calendula
Camellia sinensis
cancerina
cannabidiol
cannabigerol
Cannabis sativa oil
capillary artemisia
capsaicinoids
carnosic acid
carnosol
caryophyllene
cat's claw
catalase
caterpillar mushroom
Celosia
Centella asiatica
chaga mushroom
chamomile
Chinese fleeceflower
Chinese mountain ant
Chinese pond turtle
Chinese salvia root
chirata
chlorella
chlorophyll
chlorophyllin
chokeberry
chrysanthemum
cistanche
Citrus
citrus pectin
Clostridium butyricum
cocoa
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
coix
colostrum
condurango
cordyceps
corilagin
coriolus mushroom
costus
Crinum latifolium
crocetin
Curcuma
curcumen
curcumin
Curcuminoid
cuspidatum root
cyclodextrin
cytokines
d-alpha tocopherol
d-glucarate
daidzein
date
decursin
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
diallyl disulfide (DADS)
diallyl sulfide
diallyl trisulfide (DATS)
didymin
DIM (diindolylmethane)
dioscorea
diosgenin
diosmetin
dithiolthiones
DNA
docosahexaenoic Acid
dodder
dong quai root
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
Eclipta
eicosapentaenoic acid
eleuthero
enokitake
enzymes blend (proprietary)
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
essential oil blend
Eupolyphaga sinensis
evodiamine
fatty acids
ferulic acid
fiber
fiber blend (proprietary)
fibroblast growth factor
fisetin
fish oil
Flammulina velutipes
flat-stem milk-vetch
flavonoids
flavonolignan
flavonols
flavonones
flaxseed
folate
folic acid
folinic acid
Fomitopsis pinicola
fruit
fucoidan
fucosterol
fucoxanthin
fungus
gallic acid
ganoderma
garlic
garlic bulb
genistein
ginger
ginkgetin
ginseng
Ginsenosides
Glucan peptides
Glucoraphanin
Glucosinolates
Glutamine
Glutathione
goji berry
green tea
gum
Gypenoside
Haematococcus pluvialis
Hedyotis
Hematoporphyrin
hemp
hemp oil
Herb Robert
herbal blend (proprietary)
hericium mushroom
hesperetin
hesperidin
HMB hydroxymethylbutyrate
HMR lignan
honey
Honokiol
Huang hua
hydroxymethylbutyrate
hydroxytyrosol
Hyphomycetes
hypsizygus marmoreus
Indian frankincense
Indian sarsparilla
Indian tinospora
indole-3-carbinol
iron
Isatis
Isoalantolactone
isodon excisus
isodon rubescens
isoflavones
isoliquiritigenin
isosilybin
isovitexin
Java brucea
jiaogulan
Job\'s tears
jujube
Kaempferol
kale
Kefir
Kefiran
knotweed
Kokilaksha
l-carnitine
L-cysteine
L-glutamine
L-glutathione
L. lactis
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus
Lactobacillus acidophilus
Lactobacillus brevis
Lactobacillus casei
Lactobacillus fermentum
Lactobacillus gasseri
Lactobacillus johnsonii
Lactobacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus reuteri
Lactobacillus salivarius
Lactococcus casei
Lactococcus rhamnosus
Lactoferrin
lemongrass
Lentinan
Lentinula edodes mycelia
Ligustrazin
Ligustrum
limonene
lingzhi
lion's mane
lipids
Loranthus
Lycium
lycopene
Maclura tricuspidata
magnesium
magnolol
maitake mushroom
mallow
mangosteen
mangostene xanthone
mangostin
marigold
Marine lipid
Marine protein
Maslinic acid
Mayapple
medium chain triglycerides (MCT)
Melatonin
Mesima
Methylselenocysteine
Milk
Milk Protein
Milk thistle
Mineral ascorbate
Mistletoe
mixed carotenoids
Momordica
Mondo grass
Monoterpenes
Morinda
Moringa
Mushroom
Myrrh
N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
Neem tree
Nettle
Niacinamide (vitamin B3)
Nigella seed
Nobiletin
noni
nopal
Oldenlandia diffusa
oleanolic acid
Oligosaccharides
omega-3 fatty acids
Ophiopogon
ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate
Oroxylum indicum
Osthole
Oxymatrine
oyster mushroom
paeoniflorin
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
papaya
Paris polyphylla
parthenolide
Patrinia
pau d'arco
paw paw
Pentacyclic triterpenoids
peony
Pepper
Peptides
perilla
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phenolic compounds
Phenylpropanoids
phlorotannins
phospholipids
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phytocannabinoids
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phytosterols
Piperine
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Pleurotus eryngii
plum fruit
Podophyllum
pollen
Polygonatum
polyphenols
polyporous mushroom
Polyporus
polysaccharides
pomegranate
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
probiotics
Propionibacterium freudenreichii
Propolis
protease
protein
proteolytic enzymes
Puerarin
pumpkin
purslane
raspberry
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
Rhabdosia rubescens
rhizome
rosemary
royal jelly
Rubia cordifolia
rutin
S-allylcysteine
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Salidroside
Salmon Oil
Salvianolic acid
saponins
sarsaparilla
Schisandrins
Schizophyllum commune
scrophularia root
seaweed
selenium
Selenomethionine
Semecarpus anacardium
sesame
Sesamin
Sete sangrias
shiitake mushroom
Shikonin
Shilajit
Shogaol
Sichuan Lovage
siler root
Silybin
smilax
Sophora
soursop
Southern Tsangshu
Soy
soy isoflavones
Soy Protein
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
Sphaeranthus indicus
spirulina
Sulfated polysaccharide
Sulforaphane
sulforaphane glucosinolate
suma
Syringic acid
Szechuan lovage
Tanshinone
Tea
Terpenoids
Thistle
Thuja
Thymoquinone
Tinospora cordifolia
tocotrienols
Trametes
Tremella
tributyrin
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Triterpenes
Tumerone
Turkey tail mushroom
turmeric
Turmerones
typhonium
Typhonium flagelliforme
ubiquinol
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Urolithin A
Ursolic Acid
vegetable and fruit blend (proprietary)
Vine tea
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vitamin A
vitamin B
vitamin B12
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
vitamin E
Vitexin
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wheat grass
Whey protein
Withanolides
Wogonin
Wulinshen
Xanthohumol
Xanthone
Xanthoparmelia
Xanthophyll
Xanthorrhizol
Xylaria nigripes
Yacon
Yellow root
Yew
Yumberry
Zedoary
Zinc
Zingerone
Zingiberene
Zucchini
Other health conditions supported by omega-3 fatty acids
AcneAcquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
Addictions (drugs)
Addictions (general remedies for)
Addictions (tobacco smoking or chewing)
Aging (prevention)
Alcoholism
Allergies (food)
Allergies (respiratory)
Alzheimer's Disease
Angina
Anorexia
Anxiety
Anxiety Disorders
Apathy
Arrhythmia
Arteriosclerosis
Anger (excessive)
Arthritis
Asthma
Athletic and Exercise Aids
Attention Deficit Disorder
Autism
Autoimmune Disorders
Backache
Bipolar Mood Disorder
Birth Defects (prevention)
Blood Clots (prevention of)
Bloodshot Eyes
Body Building
Broken Bones
Bulimia
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Canker Sores
Cardiovascular Disease
Cartilage Damage
Cholesterol (high)
Cholesterol (low)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Circulation (poor)
Circulation (to the brain)
Concentration (poor)
Concussions
Confusion
Congestive Heart Failure
Dementia
Depression
Diabetes
Dysmenorrhea
Eczema
Emotional Sensitivity
Endometriosis
Epilepsy
Exercise
Eye Problems
Eyes (red or itching)
Eyesight (poor)
Fat Metabolism (poor)
Fatigue
Fatty Liver Disease
Fibrosis
Free Radical Damage
Glaucoma
Gout
Hair (loss or thinning)
Hair Care (general)
Hashimoto's Disease
Hearing Loss
Heart (weakness)
Heart Fibrillation or Palpitations
Hepatitis
Hypertension
Infertility
Inflammation
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Irritability
Lou Gehrig's Disease
Lupus
Macular Degeneration
Memory and Brain Function
Menopause
Metabolic Syndrome
Migraine
Muscular Dystrophy
Nerve Damage
Neuralgia and Neuritis
Numbness
Osteoporosis
Parkinson's Disease
Peripheral Neuropathy
Pets (supplements for)
PMS Type D
PMS Type P
PMS Type S
Polyps
Post Partum Depression
Post Partum Weakness
Pregnancy (herbs and supplements for)
Psoriasis
Raynaud's Disease
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rosacea
Schizophrenia
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Seborrhea
Seizures
Senility
Sickle Cell Anemia
Skin (dry and/or flaky)
Skin Care (general)
Spinal Disks
Strokes
Surgery (healing from)
Surgery (preparation for)
Thinking (cloudy)
Thrombosis
Triglycerides (high)
Triglycerides (low)
Vaginal Dryness
Products containing omega-3 fatty acids
Thorne
Advanced DHA
Pure Encapsulations
EFA Essentials
Douglas Laboratories
Krill Oil
Pure Encapsulations
Krill-Plex
Pure Encapsulations
Krill-Plex
Metagenics
OmegaGenics EPA DHA 2400 Fish Oil
Metagenics
OmegaGenics EPA-DHA 300 Lemon Lime
Metagenics
OmegaGenics Fish Oil EPA-DHA 1000 mg
Metagenics
OmegaGenics Fish Oil EPA-DHA 1000 mg
Metagenics
OmegaGenics Fish Oil EPA-DHA 500 mg
Metagenics
OmegaGenics Fish Oil EPA-DHA 720 mg
Metagenics
OmegaGenics Fish Oil EPA-DHA 720 mg
Metagenics
OmegaGenics Fish Oil EPA-DHA 720 mg
Metagenics
OmegaGenics Fish Oil Mega 10®
Designs For Health
OmegAvail™ Synergy
Designs For Health
OmegAvail™ TG1000
Designs For Health
OmegAvail™ Ultra
Designs For Health
OmegAvail™ Ultra
Designs For Health
OmegAvail™ Ultra DHA
Designs For Health
OmegAvail™ Ultra with Vitamin D3, K1 and K2
Thorne
Prenatal DHA
Pure Encapsulations
Pro-Resolve Omega
Thorne
Pro-Resolving Mediators
Integrative Therapeutics
Pure Omega HP
Integrative Therapeutics
Pure Omega Liquid
Integrative Therapeutics
Pure Omega Ultra HP
Pure Encapsulations
PureNutrients EPA/DHA
Douglas Laboratories
QÜELL® FISH OIL DHA Ultra SPM
Douglas Laboratories
QUELL Fish Oil ® - EPA/DHA Plus D
Thorne
Super EPA
Pure Encapsulations
VisionPro EPA/DHA/GLA
Pure Encapsulations
VisionPro EPA/DHA/GLA
