Cancer Patients May Be Able to Slow Tumor Growth by Cutting Out Seed Oils from Diet
A new study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology suggests that cancer patients who cut seed oils out of their diet may be able to slow their tumor growth. The study, led by Dr. William Aronson, a professor of urology at UCLA School of Medicine, followed 100 men with early-stage prostate cancer over a one-year period.
The researchers found that those who ate less foods with vegetable oil and more foods like salmon had slower-growing cancer than those who ate a normal Western diet. Seed oils, which include canola oil, corn oil, and cottonseed oil, are high in omega-6 fats, which some studies suggest may increase inflammation, making it easier for cancer to take over the system. On the other hand, oils found in fish are high in omega-3 fats, which are thought to protect against inflammation and support the immune system.
The study also found that men who consumed a diet low in omega-6 and high in omega-3 had a 15% decrease in signs of tumor aggression after one year, compared to a 24% increase in biomarkers of cancer aggressiveness in those who did not make dietary changes.
The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be 299,010 cases of prostate cancer diagnosed in 2024, with approximately 201,000 having early-stage disease that may opt to monitor rather than treat. Lifestyle changes, such as diet, may be key to preventing further tumor growth.
Dr. Aronson said, “Our findings suggest that something as simple as adjusting your diet could potentially slow cancer growth and extend the time before more aggressive interventions are needed.” However, he emphasized that more research is needed to confirm the link between diet and prostate cancer outcomes.
The study’s findings also come as a new study from the University of South Florida links seed oils to an increase in colon cancer cases in young people. The researchers suggest that the fats found in seed oils may promote inflammation, which can damage tissue, making it easier for tumors to grow.