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Multiple Myeloma an incurable disease, but I have spent the last 25 years in remission using a blend of conventional oncology and evidence-based nutrition, supplementation, and lifestyle therapies from peer-reviewed studies that your oncologist probably hasn't told you about.

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Omega-3 Prevent Chemo Side-Effects?

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Can omega-3 fatty acids prevent chemotherapy side effects? Well, maybe. According to the study linked below. I say “maybe” because the study doesn’t really say that omega-3’s prevent

  • Pain,
  • CIPN, 
  • Anorexia-Cachexia,
  • Depression, 
  • and Paraneoplastic complications-

the study explains the side effect- such as pain- but only talks about omega-3 fatty acids analgesic properties.

Asking Chat GPT gave me more direct answers- see below-


How can omega-3 fatty acids help you?


How can omega-3 fatty acids prevent chemotherapy-induced adverse events?

1. Reduction of Inflammation

  • Chemotherapy often induces inflammation that contributes to side effects like mucositis, neuropathy, and organ toxicity.
  • Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory molecules (like prostaglandins and cytokines) while promoting anti-inflammatory mediators (resolvins and protectins).
  • This action may reduce chemotherapy-induced inflammation and tissue damage.

2. Muscle and Weight Preservation (Cachexia)

  • Omega-3s help maintain lean body mass and prevent cancer cachexia, a syndrome involving severe weight and muscle loss.
  • EPA, in particular, can suppress inflammatory cytokines and catabolic pathways involved in muscle wasting, helping patients sustain better physical function and quality of life during treatment.

3. Neuroprotection

  • Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common side effect caused by nerve damage.
  • DHA and EPA have neuroprotective properties, enhancing nerve repair, reducing oxidative stress, and improving nerve function, potentially alleviating symptoms of CIPN.

4. Cardioprotection

  • Certain chemotherapeutic agents, like anthracyclines, can damage the heart.
  • Omega-3s are associated with improved heart function and reduced risk of chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity due to their ability to stabilize cell membranes and reduce oxidative stress.

5. Gastrointestinal Protection

  • Chemotherapy often disrupts the gut lining, leading to mucositis or diarrhea.
  • Omega-3 fatty acids may help repair the gut lining, reduce inflammation, and support gut microbiome health, improving symptoms.

6. Enhanced Immune Function

  • Chemotherapy suppresses the immune system, increasing the risk of infections.
  • Omega-3s can modulate the immune response, potentially improving the body’s defense mechanisms without overstimulating the immune system.

7. Reduction in Fatigue and Improved Quality of Life

  • Fatigue is a frequent complaint during chemotherapy.
  • Omega-3 supplementation has been linked to improved energy levels and overall quality of life, possibly through reduced inflammation and better nutrient metabolism.

I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in early 1994. I spent the next few years undergoing the FDA approved standard-of-care.

I wish I knew then what I know now. I say this because I have struggles which side effects ranging from chemobrain to chemotherapy-induced cardiomyopathy and many in between. Omega-3 fatty acids supplementation would have helped me… a lot.

Email me at David.PeopleBeatingCancer@gmail.com with your questions about chemotherapy-side effect prevention.

Thank you,

David Emerson

  • MM Survivor
  • MM Cancer Coach
  • Director PeopleBeatingCancer

Protective Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Cancer-Related Complications

“Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are considered immunonutrients and are commonly used in the nutritional therapy of cancer patients due to their ample biological effects. Omega-3 PUFAs play essential roles in cell signaling and in the cell structure and fluidity of membranes.

They participate in the resolution of inflammation and have anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects. Additionally, they can act as agonists of G protein-coupled receptors, namely, GPR40/FFA1 and GPR120/FFA4.

Cancer patients undergo complications, such as anorexia-cachexia syndrome, pain, depression, and paraneoplastic syndromes. Interestingly, the 2017 European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) guidelines for cancer patients only discuss the use of omega-3 PUFAs for cancer-cachexia treatment, leaving aside other cancer-related complications that could potentially be managed by omega-3 PUFA supplementation.

This critical review aimed to discuss the effects and the possible underlying mechanisms of omega-3 PUFA supplementation in cancer-related complications.

Data compilation in this critical review indicates that further investigation is still required to assess the factual benefits of omega-3 PUFA supplementation in cancer-associated illnesses. Nevertheless, preclinical evidence reveals that omega-3 PUFAs and their metabolites might modulate pivotal pathways underlying complications secondary to cancer, indicating that this is a promising field of knowledge to be explored…

Cancer pain is the most common cancer-related complication, reported by approximately 90% of patients. Unfortunately, up to 50% of these patients are poorly treated for this condition.

Pain in cancer patients occurs because of the tumor growth itself, metastasis development, or treatment-related adverse effects, such as chemotherapy-induced neurotoxicity. Pain in cancer survivors is also important because any change in this condition can indicate a recurrence of the tumor [,,]…

Supporting the favorable analgesic actions of omega-3 PUFAs, a systematic review demonstrated that a nutritional supplement enriched with fish oil decreased the symptoms of fatigue and pain in patients during chemo- and/or radiotherapy, probably due to weight maintenance and reduced inflammatory status [,]…

 

prevent chemotherapy side effects prevent chemotherapy side effects

 

 

 

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