Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
5515948 | Prostaglandins & Other Lipid Mediators | 2016 | 8 Pages |
â¢Obesity is an established risk factor for certain types of cancer.â¢Omega-3 PUFAs illustrate the ability to negate obesity-induced inflammation.â¢Decreased inflammation via omega-3 PUFAs can reduce cancer risk/mortality.
Today's world population has an unprecedented risk of dying from the consequences of being overweight and obese. Chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer are often accelerated because of excessive adiposity. Various biological mechanisms are implicated in the obesity-cancer link, particularly local and systemic inflammation as well as altered growth factor signaling pathways. In order to combat obesity-induced inflammation and the resulting increases in cancer risk and progression, the identification of safe and effective mechanism-based interventions is imperative. Notably, long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) modulate the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, prostaglandins and other inflammatory mediators, restore insulin sensitivity, and can prevent or delay tumorigenesis. Delineating the precise mechanisms by which omega-3 PUFAs suppress obesity-induced inflammation will help identify promising key mechanistic targets and intervention strategies to break the obesity-cancer link.