The Role of n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in the Prevention and Treatment of Breast Cancer

Nutrients

Jiajie Liu¹ 

[1] Department of Human Health & Nutritional Sciences, College of Biological Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada; E-Mail

关键词: n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA);    eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA);    docosahexaenoic acid (DHA);    α-linolenic acid (ALA);    mammary gland;    breast cancer (BC);   

DOI  :  10.3390/nu6115184

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer among women worldwide. Dietary fatty acids, especially n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), are believed to play a role in reducing BC risk. Evidence has shown that fish consumption or intake of long-chain n-3 PUFA, such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are beneficial for inhibiting mammary carcinogenesis. The evidence regarding α-linolenic acid (ALA), however, remains equivocal. It is essential to clarify the relation between ALA and cancer since ALA is the principal source of n-3 PUFA in the Western diet and the conversion of ALA to EPA and DHA is not efficient in humans. In addition, the specific anticancer roles of individual n-3 PUFA, alone, have not yet been identified. Therefore, the present review evaluates ALA, EPA and DHA consumed individually as well as in n-3 PUFA mixtures. Also, their role in the prevention of BC and potential anticancer mechanisms of action are examined. Overall, this review suggests that each n-3 PUFA has promising anticancer effects and warrants further research.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2014 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.