Eating fish reduces colon polyp risk in women
Vanderbilt University researchers say women who consume at least three servings of fish every week are at a lower risk of having colon polyps.
Colon polyps are common mushroom-shaped growths that occur on the inside lining of the large intestine. All colon polyps are not dangerous but some forms called adenomatous polyps can become malignant and turn into colon cancer.
Preventing adenomas or screening and removing them before becoming cancerous are markedly important in reducing colon malignancies risk.
Scientists surveyed the diet of more than 5,300 people had visited for a colonoscopy.
The team then focused on the diet of 1,400 participants who were women without colon polyps and compared them with 456 counterparts who were diagnosed with adenomas during the investigations.
Results showed that women with adenomas were more likely to be among the less seafood eaters, authors wrote in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Women who ate the most were at a 33 percent lower risk of having a polyp than those who ate less than a serving a week.
Although the study couldn't show that eating fish directly prevented polyps, it provided more evidence suggesting the positive effects of eating seafood, said Dr. Harvey Murff and colleagues.
He noted that the omega-3 fats in fish might have an anti-inflammatory effect, similar to aspirin that could prevent development of colon polyps.
Scientists cannot say why male fish eaters didn't show significant reduction in their risk of polyps but suggest that they may be less sensitive to the omega-3s in fish and need to eat more to get the benefit.
Source: presstv.com
