Acide gras N-3 et cancer déclaré : intérêt réel ou effet de mode ?

Immunonutrients have pharmacological properties associated with their calorific value. This means that supplemental fish oil or omega-3 fatty acids may modulate the inflammatory response and may have a favourable effect on cancer-related cachexia. Evidence from early clinical studies showed that cancer patients receiving fish oil supplements experienced weight stabilisation or gained weight. Later, double blind comparative studies failed to corroborate this positive effect. This apparent discrepancy is due to several differences between studies in terms of design, fatty acid doses used, the pharmacological formulation and study objectives. Nonetheless, some conclusions can be drawn: 1) a dose-effect relationship exists with the need for an adequate fatty acid intake, 2) combining omega-3 fatty acids with certain amino acids promotes protein synthesis and reduces protein degradation, 3) adverse gastrointestinal effects experienced by patients, frequently leading to study withdrawals, is the major limiting factor in the use of these treatments.