Cod Vs Cancer - Epic Fatty Acid Wars

In this corner, Cod, a mild, flaky fish that represents a number of different fish within the same species. The flesh is a great food and the livers are used to make cod liver oil. This unassuming contender is high in Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, and the essential fatty acids EPA and DHA. It is an outstanding dietary source of some of the best cancer fighting nutrients available to all man kind.

In this corner, the great dark challenger, Cancer, all kinds, all forms of this insidious sneaky opponent. Cancer really means just abnormal cells. These cells begin to take root and just keep growing and growing causing all manner of problems usually leading to the death of the host. In this epic battle, our little contender is cod and he holds a couple of secret knockout punches to take on this nasty fighter.

The first thing to get this battle going is increase the daily intake of omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) to help build healthy cells and curtail the growth of abnormal cells already in the body. Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids like those found in the cod fish have continually shown they can protect the body from cancer. The American Journal of Epidemiology published a Norwegian study that a significant decrease in certain cancers when the population had a higher than normal intake of fish oil. The study went on to say, "For those patients who have a high hereditary predisposition to cancer, fish oil supplementation can make an even greater difference in holding all cancers at bay."

In a study published by the Clinical Cancer Research, Dr. Witte and the staff compared diets and lifestyle profiles found that men who continued to eat fish or to make a conscious effort to have a higher than normal essential fatty acid intake reduced the incidence of caner by 63% and reduced the risk of aggressive cancers by more than 68%. Most of those who were afflicted actually died from other natural causes before the cancer could even become a factor. In most cases the cancer was not detected until a post-mortem was completed.

The study also showed that those participants who had more aggressive forms of cancer had a very low level of omega-3 fatty acids in their system and in their diet than their healthier counterparts. In fact had those participants with cancer added fish to their diet just 3 times a month their risk of developing more aggressive strains would have reduced by more than 36%. The omega-3 fatty acid found in fish oil reduces overall inflammation in the body, strengthens the cardiovascular system and the autoimmune system.

The review of an additional 14 studies showed researchers a definite connection between the lower incidence of cancers and a higher intake of fish, fish oil and omega-3 supplements. Especially of those cancers of the nervous and digestive system. Women show a greater benefit from the consumption of fish oil than do men but this evidence is anecdotal at best and conclusions have yet to be drawn about a difference based on sex.

While cancer still holds a slight edge in the battle, the small cod fish and his pals, salmon, mackerel, sardines, tuna, and anchovies are gaining. As more people see the benefits of fish oil and as companies make it a more prominent item in their ingredient lists the incidence of all cancers should begin to decline. Fighting cancer takes all we have and every little advantage you can get, you should take. Fish oil and omega-3 supplements are a great advantage. Use it.

William Allen Wilson is a strong believer and writer within the Naturopathic community. He has been studying and living a naturally healthy lifestyle for more than 20 years and has recently been passing that information to his friends and family. Please visit our site Fish Oil Benefits for more information and to follow the updates as they become available.