More good news about Omega-3 fatty acids, in particular, docosahexanoic (DHA)."  It not only can help your brain recover from chemotherapy by supporting the communications between cells."  New evidence suggests that DHA can protect against cancer.

Mansoura University in Eqypt was the site of a study that demonstrated two types of benefits of docosahexanoic acid (DHA, an Omeg-3 fatty acid) for rats with solid tumors.

The acid, naturally occurring in cold water fish oil and to a lesser extent in certain vegetable oils, was shown to reduce the size of tumors and facilitate the effect of cisplatin chemotherapy, and limited cisplatin's harmful effects. These experiments lend support for at least some of the benefits attributed to Omega-3 acids.

Professor A. M. El-Mowafy, who led the research team of Mansoura University, said, "DHA elicited prominent chemopreventive effects on its own, and appreciably augmented those of cisplatin as well. Furthermore, this study is the first to reveal that DHA can obliterate lethal cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity and renal tissue injury." Cisplatin chemotherapy generally causes kidney damage.

The puzzle for the scientists was how DHA interacts with cisplatin and, conceivably, other chemotherapy drugs. They found that DHA acts by reducing leukocytosis, systemic inlfammation, and oxidative stress, all of which have been associated with tumor growth. DHA is a substance needed by the brain's neuronal cells"  and is a major factor in effective cellular communications.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090401200441.htm, retrieved may 19, 2009.

Journal reference:

1. M E Elmesery, M M Algayyar, H A Salem, M M Darweish and A M El-Mowafy." Chemopreventive and renal protective effects for docosahexaenoic acid (DHA): implications of CRP and lipid peroxides." Cell Division, (in press)