Life Over Cancer Blog

A Closer Look at Fish Oil and Prostate Cancer - Part 1

Dr. Keith I. Block

Fish oil is in the news again, thanks to reports about a research study conducted by Dr Theodore M. Brasky and colleagues linking high blood levels of the fish oil constituents EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) to an increased risk of high-grade prostate cancer in American men.  This study has been the subject of a great deal of commentary and criticism, in both mainstream and “alternative medicine” media outlets.  Understandably, it has many patients quite concerned, and several have asked if they should discontinue their use of fish oil supplements.  Let’s take a look at this study, and some of the concerns that have been raised about the study’s methodology, which are prompting several of us to call its conclusion into question:

Ask Dr. Block: The Block Center Difference

When you see a new cancer patient at the Block Center, what is different about your process than a typical hospital?

As a new cancer patient at the Block Center, your visit will begin with detailed evaluation of your medical records, clinical and integrative assessments and questionnaires on your lifestyle and medical history. Just as any medical center would do, of course, we will conduct a thorough medical screening and physical examination, possibly including additional tests, followed by an extensive consultation with one of our physicians.

You will also receive our comprehensive integrative lifestyle assessment tests. The results will be used by your physician and also our integrative practitioners for counseling. You’ll meet with one of our dietitians for a complete nutritional assessment and the first phase of your personalized dietary strategy. After you have completed blood tests to assess your terrain, you will be scheduled for a follow-up phone call with your dietitian, who will explain your results and possibly recommend herbs and supplements that might be useful for you.

Antioxidant August: Blueberry Tart with Lemon Cashew Cream, RAW

Blueberry Tart with Lemon Cashew Cream

Serves 6-8

 

Antioxidant August: Smoky Tempeh Wraps with a Citrus Kiss

Antioxidant August: Very Berry Salad with Mango Dressing

This salad packs a healthy punch! Here's a rundown of ingredients and their health benefits:

• Avocado – packed with biotin, a vitamin that prevents brittle hair and nails and dry skin
• Blackberries and Raspberries and Blueberries – loaded with the fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants that are crucial for helping the body to age well
• Spinach – full of folate, which helps skin maintain and repair DNA
• Pine Nuts – packed with Vitamin E, known for speeding up healthy skin cell regeneration
• Mango – full of beta-carotene, an antioxidant that gives skin a rosy glow and combats the skin-damaging effects of the sun
• Canola Oil – full of the heart-healthy kind of fat (monounsaturated fat) that is required to help the body absorb all the nutrients and vitamins found in this salad (in other words, a bit of healthy fat in salad dressing is healthier than a fat-free dressing)