Effect of fish oil on weight loss during chemotherapy
Involuntary weight loss is a major contributor to mortality and morbidity in patients with advanced cancer.
Researchers at the University of Alberta, in Edmonton, studied patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer first-line chemotherapy.
First, the details.
- 40 patients were assigned to a treatment group.
- Fish oil 2.2 grams of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)/day
- Standard care
- Blood was collected and weight was recorded before and during chemotherapy.
- Skeletal muscle and adipose tissue were measured using computed tomography images.
And, the results.
- Patients receiving standard care experienced an average weight loss of 2 kg whereas patients receiving fish oil maintained their weight — a significant difference.
- Patients with the greatest increase in EPA blood levels after fish oil supplementation had the greatest gains in muscle — a significant response.
- Approximately 69% of patients in the fish oil group gained or maintained muscle mass vs only 29% of patients in the standard care group.
- Overall, the SOC group lost 1 kg of muscle.
- No difference in total adipose tissue was observed between the 2 groups.
The bottom line?
The authors concluded, “Nutritional intervention with 2.2 grams of fish oil per day appears to provide a benefit over standard of care, resulting in the maintenance of weight and muscle mass during chemotherapy.”
2/28/11 19:03 JR