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Szlendak M, Kapała A. Does the ratio of eicosapentaenoic acid to docosahexaenoic acid matter in cancer treatment? A systematic review of their effects on cachexia-related inflammation. Nutrition 2024; 124:112466. [PMID: 38759339 DOI: 10.1016/j.nut.2024.112466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
Chronic inflammation is a hallmark of cancer cachexia. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFAs): eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are known to contribute to the reduction of inflammation, preservation of lean body mass and total body weight, and reduction of cancer-related symptoms, such as anorexia or neuropathy. This systematic review aimed to assess whether the ratio of EPA to DHA used in supplementation in cancer patients matters in the context of the resolution of inflammation and reduction of the risk of cachexia. The analysis included 20 randomized clinical trials with acceptable quality identified from the Pubmed/MEDLINE database. The significant results concerning the resolution of inflammation or improvement in nutritional status were the highest in the case of a low EPA/DHA ratio, i.e., 67%, and decreased, reaching 50% and 36% for the moderate and high ratios, respectively. Most results concerning body weight from high and moderate EPA/DHA ratios showed no benefit or were insignificant. A significant benefit in reducing any reported inflammatory markers was seen in the low EPA/DHA ratio subgroup at 63%, in the moderate at 29%, and in the high ratio subgroup at 11%. The greatest benefit in CRP reduction was obtained by patients during chemotherapy. The review questions the anticachectic and anti-inflammatory effect of ω-3 PUFAs supplementation with doses of EPA higher than DHA. A population that particularly benefits from ω-3 PUFAs supplementation are patients undergoing chemotherapy for advanced cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aleksandra Kapała
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, Department of Oncology Diagnostics, Cardio-Oncology and Palliative Medicine, The Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Warsaw, Poland
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Santo B, Bertini N, Cattaneo CG, De Matteis S, De Franco P, Grassi R, Iorio GC, Longo S, Boldrini L, Piras A, Desideri I, De Felice F, Salvestrini V. Nutritional counselling for head and neck cancer patients treated with (chemo)radiation therapy: why, how, when, and what? Front Oncol 2024; 13:1240913. [PMID: 38264757 PMCID: PMC10803628 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1240913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Santo
- Radiation Oncology Unit, Dipartimento di Oncoematologia, Ospedale “Vito Fazzi”, Lecce, Italy
| | - Niccolò Bertini
- Radiation Oncology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi, Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Carlo Guglielmo Cattaneo
- Department of Radiotherapy, Policlinico Umberto I, Department of Radiological, Oncological and Pathological Sciences, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Sara De Matteis
- Radiation Oncology Unit, Dipartimento di Oncoematologia, Ospedale “Vito Fazzi”, Lecce, Italy
| | - Paola De Franco
- Radiation Oncology Unit, Dipartimento di Oncoematologia, Ospedale “Vito Fazzi”, Lecce, Italy
| | - Roberta Grassi
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Silvia Longo
- Unità Operativa Complessa (UOC) Radioterapia Oncologica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) “A. Gemelli”, Roma, Italy
| | - Luca Boldrini
- Unità Operativa Complessa (UOC) Radioterapia Oncologica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) “A. Gemelli”, Roma, Italy
| | - Antonio Piras
- Unità Operativa (UO) Radioterapia Oncologica, Villa Santa Teresa, Palermo, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Image Processing and Analysis, Ri.Med Foundation, Palermo, Italy
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, Molecular and Clinical Medicine, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Isacco Desideri
- Radiation Oncology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi, Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Francesca De Felice
- Department of Radiotherapy, Policlinico Umberto I, Department of Radiological, Oncological and Pathological Sciences, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Viola Salvestrini
- Radiation Oncology Unit, Centro Cyberknife, Istituto Fiorentino di Cura e Assistenza, Florence, Italy
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Seth I, Bulloch G, Qin KR, Xie Y, Sebastian B, Liew H, Rozen WM, Lee CHA. Pre-rehabilitation interventions for patients with head and neck cancers: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Head Neck 2024; 46:86-117. [PMID: 37897197 DOI: 10.1002/hed.27561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of pre-rehabilitation interventions such as nutrition and exercise for patients with head and neck cancer (HNC). METHODS Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Cochrane databases were searched up to December 2022. Quality of life, length of hospital stay, postoperative complications, change in body mass index or muscle mass, and functional assessments were the primary outcomes. PRISMA guidelines were adhered to, and the study was registered on PROSPERO. The Cochrane Collaboration tool and Newcastle Ottawa scale assessed the quality of included studies. Pooled data are presented as odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Analysis was conducted using RevMan5.4. RESULTS A total of 31 articles were included for quantitative analysis and 15 for qualitative synthesis. Nutrition alone resulted in significant weight retention (2.60; 2.32, 2.88, p < 0.00001), length of stay (-4.00; -6.87, -1.13), p = 0.0006) and complications (0.64; 0.49, 0.83, p = 0.0009). Nutrition and psychoeducation resulted in a significant reduction in mortality rate (0.70; 0.49, 1.00, p = 0.05 and 0.60; 0.48, 0.74, p < 0.00001), and exercise resulted in a significant reduction in dysphagia (0.55; 0.35, 0.87, p = 0.01). Exercise with nutrition resulted in significant improvements in weight loss, length of stay, complications, and dysphagia. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) had a moderate risk of bias and cohort studies were of fair to good quality. CONCLUSION Prehabilitation programs based on exercise, nutrition, or psychoeducation demonstrated improved post-interventional outcomes in HNC, such as quality of life, and mortality and morbidity. Studies with longer follow-ups and larger sample sizes, and investigations comparing nutritional supplements with exercise programs are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ishith Seth
- Department of Surgery, Peninsula Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Surgery, Bendigo Health, Bendigo, Victoria, Australia
| | - Gabriella Bulloch
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kirby R Qin
- Department of Surgery, Peninsula Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Surgery, Bendigo Health, Bendigo, Victoria, Australia
| | - Yi Xie
- Department of Surgery, Peninsula Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Hann Liew
- Department of Surgery, Bendigo Health, Bendigo, Victoria, Australia
| | - Warren Matthew Rozen
- Department of Surgery, Peninsula Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Chun Hin Angus Lee
- Department of Surgery, Peninsula Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Parsons HM, Forte ML, Abdi HI, Brandt S, Claussen AM, Wilt T, Klein M, Ester E, Landsteiner A, Shaukut A, Sibley SS, Slavin J, Sowerby C, Ng W, Butler M. Nutrition as prevention for improved cancer health outcomes: a systematic literature review. JNCI Cancer Spectr 2023; 7:pkad035. [PMID: 37212631 PMCID: PMC10290234 DOI: 10.1093/jncics/pkad035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Among adults with cancer, malnutrition is associated with decreased treatment completion, more treatment harms and use of health care, and worse short-term survival. To inform the National Institutes of Health Pathways to Prevention workshop, "Nutrition as Prevention for Improved Cancer Health Outcomes," this systematic review examined the evidence for the effectiveness of providing nutrition interventions before or during cancer therapy to improve outcomes of cancer treatment. METHODS We identified randomized controlled trials enrolling at least 50 participants published from 2000 through July 2022. We provide a detailed evidence map for included studies and grouped studies by broad intervention and cancer types. We conducted risk of bias (RoB) and qualitative descriptions of outcomes for intervention and cancer types with a larger volume of literature. RESULTS From 9798 unique references, 206 randomized controlled trials from 219 publications met the inclusion criteria. Studies primarily focused on nonvitamin or mineral dietary supplements, nutrition support, and route or timing of inpatient nutrition interventions for gastrointestinal or head and neck cancers. Most studies evaluated changes in body weight or composition, adverse events from cancer treatment, length of hospital stay, or quality of life. Few studies were conducted within the United States. Among intervention and cancer types with a high volume of literature (n = 114), 49% (n = 56) were assessed as high RoB. Higher-quality studies (low or medium RoB) reported mixed results on the effect of nutrition interventions across cancer and treatment-related outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Methodological limitations of nutrition intervention studies surrounding cancer treatment impair translation of findings into clinical practice or guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen M Parsons
- Minnesota Evidence-Based Practice Center, Division of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Mary L Forte
- Minnesota Evidence-Based Practice Center, Division of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Hamdi I Abdi
- Minnesota Evidence-Based Practice Center, Division of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Sallee Brandt
- Minnesota Evidence-Based Practice Center, Division of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Amy M Claussen
- Minnesota Evidence-Based Practice Center, Division of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Timothy Wilt
- Minnesota Evidence-Based Practice Center, Division of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Minneapolis VA Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- School of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Minneapolis VA Healthcare System, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Mark Klein
- School of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Minneapolis VA Healthcare System, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | | | - Adrienne Landsteiner
- Minneapolis VA Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | | | - Shalamar S Sibley
- School of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Minneapolis VA Healthcare System, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Joanne Slavin
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, St. Paul, MN, USA
| | - Catherine Sowerby
- Minneapolis VA Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Weiwen Ng
- Minnesota Evidence-Based Practice Center, Division of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Mary Butler
- Minnesota Evidence-Based Practice Center, Division of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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Bagheri A, Soltani S, Asoudeh F, Esmaillzadeh A. Effects of omega-3 supplementation on serum albumin, pre-albumin and the CRP/albumin ratio in hospitalized patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutr Rev 2023; 81:237-251. [PMID: 35939371 DOI: 10.1093/nutrit/nuac053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
CONTEXT Low serum albumin and pre-albumin concentrations are associated with edema, infection, thrombosis, heart failure, and mortality. OBJECTIVE This comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials was conducted to summarize the available findings on the impact of omega-3 supplementation on albumin, pre-albumin, and the C-reactive protein/albumin ratio in hospitalized patients. DATA SOURCES PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases were searched from January 1990 to October 2021. DATA EXTRACTION Extracted data from 50 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with a total number of 3196 participants were analyzed using the random-effects model. The dose-dependent effect was also evaluated. DATA ANALYSIS Oral omega-3 supplementation significantly increased serum albumin concentrations in patients with cancer (weighted mean difference [WMD]: 0.19; 95% CI: 0.05, 0.33, P= 0.006), patients on dialysis (WMD: 0.14; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.28, P= 0.042), and those with hypoalbuminemia (WMD: 0.38; 95% CI: 0.03, 0.72, P = 0.033); however, there was no significant effect among patients with gastrointestinal or hepatologic diseases. Moreover, each 1000 mg/day increase in oral omega-3 supplementation resulted in elevated serum albumin levels in cancer patients (WMD: 0.15; 95% CI: 0.07, 0.24, P < 0.001). In addition, a favorable effect of oral omega-3 supplementation on pre-albumin levels was observed among patients with cancer (WMD: 33.87; 95% CI: 12.34, 55.39, P = 0.002). A similar significant effect of parenteral omega-3 supplementation on pre-albumin concentrations was seen among those with gastrointestinal and hepatologic diseases as well (WMD: 23.30; 95% CI: 13.58, 33.03, P < 0.001). No significant effect of oral omega-3 supplementation on the CRP/albumin ratio was found. CONCLUSIONS Overall, omega-3 fatty acids supplementation resulted in a favorable change in serum albumin and pre-albumin concentrations in hospitalized patients. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION PROSPERO registration no. CRD42021285704.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Bagheri
- are with the Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,is with the Students' Scientific Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sanaz Soltani
- are with the Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farzaneh Asoudeh
- is with the Department of Clinical Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ahmad Esmaillzadeh
- are with the Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,is with the Obesity and Eating Habits Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Molecular-Cellular Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,is with the Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Science, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
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Nutritional prehabilitation in head and neck cancer: a systematic review. Support Care Cancer 2022; 30:8831-8843. [PMID: 35913625 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-022-07239-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Prehabilitation affords an opportunity to support the management of malnutrition that is strongly associated with head and neck cancer. The purpose of this systematic review was to identify the components of nutritional prehabilitation interventions and their effects on nutritional and health outcomes in head and neck cancer patients. METHODS A comprehensive search was completed within Medline (including PubMed), CINHAL, Cochrane database, EMBASE, PRoQUEST, clinical trials registries, and grey literature to identify studies involving a nutritional intervention pre-treatment in head and neck cancer patients receiving any form of curative therapy. Nutritional intervention was defined as a specified period pre-treatment and outcome measures had to include assessment of nutritional status or body composition. Quality of included studies was assessed using Cochrane risk of bias 2. RESULTS From 557 identified studies, two met the inclusion criteria. Due to the low number of studies, a meta-analysis was not indicated. Both studies conducted a nutritional intervention using an "enriched formula" in malnourished patients prior to surgery. Neither study reported the intervention was effective for reducing weight loss, physical function, surgical complications, or length of stay versus the comparison. CONCLUSION There is limited nutritional prehabilitation research within head and neck cancer. An "enriched formula" provided in the prehabilitation period appears no more advantageous than routine standard nutritional formula in mitigating against the weight loss experienced in malnourished head and neck patient. Due to the malnutrition risks on diagnosis and the negative impact of poor nutritional status on clinical and functional outcomes, robust nutritional prehabilitation research is required to inform clinical practice.
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Longitudinal Changes in the Fatty Acid Profile in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer: Associations with Treatment and Inflammatory Response. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14153696. [PMID: 35954360 PMCID: PMC9367269 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14153696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Cancer-associated malnutrition affects nutrient metabolism, including the metabolism of lipids. Toxicities associated with the treatment for head and neck cancer (HNC) may contribute to malnutrition through impaired oral intake and inflammation. Studies on lipid metabolism in patients with HNC are very limited. The anti-inflammatory effect of some fatty acids (FAs) is already proven in other cancers but the results of these studies in HNC are not consistent. This prospective study of 174 patients with HNC contributes to our knowledge of alterations in lipid metabolism following treatment for HNC and serves as basis for future research. Abstract Studies on fatty acids (FAs) in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) are limited. We aimed to investigate the longitudinal changes of circulating FAs in patients with HNC and to examine potential correlations of FA changes with treatment. The secondary aims were to investigate correlations of FAs with cytokines and patient-related factors, and if any FAs correlated with disease recurrence or death. A total of 174 patients with HNC were included before treatment and followed-up at three time points after the start of the treatment through blood sampling and body weight measurements. Serum FA profiling was assessed by gas chromatography. The total follow-up time was 3 years. The levels of almost all FAs changed from baseline to 7 weeks. The change in FA 14:0 was associated with treatment and the change in 18:3n-6 was associated with the patients’ pre-treatment BMI. FAs 14:0 and 18:0 were correlated with weight changes from baseline to 7 weeks. IL-6 was correlated with three FAs at 7 weeks and with two FAs at 1 year. Patients with higher levels 20:5n-3 at 3 months had a higher risk of all-cause death within 3 years (HR 2.75, 95% CI 1.22–6.21). Treatment, inflammation, and weight loss contributed in a complex manner to the altered FA profile in the studied cohort. The association between IL-6 and FAs in patients with HNC is in line with earlier studies and suggests the opportunity for regulating inflammation in HNC patients through modulation of FAs.
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Srinivasaraghavan N, Das N, Balakrishnan K, Rajaram S. Effect of Whey Protein Supplementation on Perioperative Outcomes in Patients with Cancer-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PROSPERO 2020: CRD42020188666). Nutr Cancer 2021; 74:2351-2364. [PMID: 34961401 DOI: 10.1080/01635581.2021.2020302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Whey protein has several biochemical characteristics which make it an ideal nutritional supplement in cancer. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the effects of whey on perioperative outcomes in cancer. A systematic review was conducted as per the Preferred Reporting of Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. The primary outcome was postoperative complications. Secondary outcomes included 6-minute walk test, length of stay (LOS), and thirty-day readmission. Of the ten trials, six supplemented whey to meet protein requirements of around 1.2 mg/kg/day, and four supplemented whey variably. A synthesis of ten trials with 643 patients showed significantly decreased postoperative complications in the whey supplemented (22%) group as compared to the control (32%) (OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.41-0.90; P = 0.01). Analysis of six trials showed that patients supplemented with whey had greater functional walking capacity before surgery (MD 23.76 meters, 95% CI 4.05-43.47; participants = 377; P = 0.02) and after 4 weeks of surgery (MD 45.76, 95% CI 14.19-77.33; participants = 366; P = 0.004). Thirty-day readmissions and LOS showed no differences. Risk of bias varied between the trials and evidence was moderate to low. Whey protein supplementation improved the perioperative functional capacity and significantly reduced postoperative complications in patients with cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nairita Das
- Department of Anesthesiology, Cancer Institute (WIA), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Kalpana Balakrishnan
- Department of Anesthesiology, Cancer Institute (WIA), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Swaminathan Rajaram
- Department of Biostatistics and Cancer Registry, Cancer Institute (WIA), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
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van der Meij BS, Mazurak VC. Fish oil supplementation and maintaining muscle mass in chronic disease: state of the evidence. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care 2020; 23:164-173. [PMID: 32167986 DOI: 10.1097/mco.0000000000000648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Providing eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), in the form of fish oils, to benefit muscle is an emerging area of interest. The aim of this work was to evaluate the current literature that has assessed muscle mass as an outcome during a fish oil intervention in any chronic disease. RECENT FINDINGS The vast majority of studies published in the last 3 years (12 of 15) have been conducted in the oncological setting, in patients undergoing treatment for cancers of the gastrointestinal tract, breast, head and neck, lung, cervix, and hematological cancers. Three studies were conducted in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Fish oil was provided as part of nutrient mixtures in 12 studies and as capsules in three studies. SUMMARY Overall, the evidence for an effect of fish oil supplementation on muscle mass in patients with cancer undergoing treatment and in COPD remains unequivocal and reveals limited new knowledge in the area of fish oil supplementation in the cancer setting. Recent literature continues to provide mixed evidence on the efficacy of fish oil on muscle mass and function. The present review highlights challenges in comparing and interpreting current studies aimed at testing fish oil supplementation for muscle health.
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Affiliation(s)
- B S van der Meij
- Bond University Nutrition and Dietetics Research Group, Faculty of Health Sciences & Medicine, Gold Coast
- Nutrition and Dietetics, Mater Group, Brisbane
- Mater Research Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Vera C Mazurak
- Faculty of Agricultural Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
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