People 70 years of age and older is the segment of the population that has the highest risk for developing cancer. While there is no wonder cure for cancer, the findings of a recent study bring hope for this age group. By taking two specific supplements, along with an exercise program, the risk for developing cancer can be significantly reduced.
The study:
The study ( Bischoff-Ferrari et al., 2022) was conducted over three years with 2 157 generally healthy and active men and women at their peak of age-related cancer risk, namely 70-years and older, in seven cities in five European countries – Switzerland, Germany, Austria, France, and Portugal.
The purpose of the study was to determine the effect that a high-dose daily vitamin D3 (2 000 international units/day),and/or supplemental marine omega-3s (1 g/day), and/or a simple home strength exercise programme individually or in combination would have on cancer risk. Some participants only took vitamin D3, some took only omega-3, same only did the exercise programme, while some participants took combinations of the three interventions. A control group did none of these measures
The exercise program consisted of:
- Sit-to-stand (quadriceps/hip extension strength training).
- One-leg stance (hip muscles strength training plus static balance training).
- Pull-backs against elastic resistance (seated position).
- External shoulder rotation against elastic resistance (seated position).
- Steps.
Participants were assessed for cancer events every three months through phone calls and through clinical visits at the start of the study and then once a year for the duration of the study.
Why use vitamin D3, omega-3s, and exercise?
Studies have found that:
Vitamin D3 can –
- inhibits the growth of cancer cells by regulating several genes involved in cell proliferation,
- suppress cell proliferation, which refers to an increase in the number of cells due to cell growth and cell division, typical of what happens with cancer cells.
Omega-3s, which have anti-inflammatory properties, can –
- inhibit carcinogenesis (the initiation of cancer formation), by suppression of inflammation
- suppress angiogenesis, which refers to a normal bodily process by which new capillary blood vessels grow from pre-existing blood vessels, to supply the affected area, such as a wound or cancer growth, with oxygen and nutrient rich blood,
- or bring to bear ferroptosis, a type of programmed cell death (that is dependent on iron) of acidic cancer cells through lipid peroxidation (degradation of the lipids in cell membranes), resulting in cell damage.
Exercise can –
- induce the apoptosis of tumor cells, improve immune function and decrease inflammation
Findings:
- Cancer risk reduced by 24% for participants who only got the vitamin D3 intervention.
- Cancer risk reduced by 30% for participants who only got the omega-3s intervention.
- Cancer risk reduced by 26% for participants who only did the exercise intervention.
- Cancer risk reduced by 47% for participants who received the vitamin D3 and omega-3s intervention.
- Cancer risk reduced by 44% for participants who received the vitamin D3 and exercise intervention.
- Cancer risk reduced by 61% for participants who received the vitamin D3, omega-3s, and exercise intervention.
Conclusion:
This was the first study to investigate the individual and combined benefit of three complementary treatments on the prevention of cancer The findings suggest that the combination of daily supplementation with vitamin D3 and omega-3s and a simple home exercise programme may be effective in lowering the risk of invasive cancer for generally healthy and active people of age 70 and higher.
References:
Combined vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, and a simple home exercise program may reduce cancer risk among active adults aged 70 and older: a randomized clinical trial. Published 25 April 2022. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience Journal. (www.frontiersin.org)
How seniors can reduce cancer risk. Blog 18 June 2022. Dr. David Perlmutter. (www.drdavidperlmutter.com)
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