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The role of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer.
- Source :
-
Nutrients [Nutrients] 2014 Nov 18; Vol. 6 (11), pp. 5184-223. Date of Electronic Publication: 2014 Nov 18. - Publication Year :
- 2014
-
Abstract
- Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer among women worldwide. Dietary fatty acids, especially n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), are believed to play a role in reducing BC risk. Evidence has shown that fish consumption or intake of long-chain n-3 PUFA, such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are beneficial for inhibiting mammary carcinogenesis. The evidence regarding α-linolenic acid (ALA), however, remains equivocal. It is essential to clarify the relation between ALA and cancer since ALA is the principal source of n-3 PUFA in the Western diet and the conversion of ALA to EPA and DHA is not efficient in humans. In addition, the specific anticancer roles of individual n-3 PUFA, alone, have not yet been identified. Therefore, the present review evaluates ALA, EPA and DHA consumed individually as well as in n-3 PUFA mixtures. Also, their role in the prevention of BC and potential anticancer mechanisms of action are examined. Overall, this review suggests that each n-3 PUFA has promising anticancer effects and warrants further research.
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 2072-6643
- Volume :
- 6
- Issue :
- 11
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Nutrients
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 25412153
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.3390/nu6115184