Impact of omega-3 fatty acid supplements on gastrointestinal cancer patients after surgery: Beneficial or useless?

Abstract

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFAs) are essential nutrients for human beings and their potential roles against cancer development and progression have become of wide concern recently. Some studies have suggested that perioperative supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids may have beneficial effects in gastrointestinal cancer patients undergoing surgery, while other researchers reported contrary results. This paper reviews recent research to establish therapeutic effects as well as possible underlying mechanisms of ω-3 PUFA actions, and to help explain possible reasons for inconsistent results from different institutions.