Psychiatric Disorders in Women
Michelle Tollefson, Nancy Eriksen, Neha Pathak in Improving Women's Health Across the Lifespan, 2021
While the mechanisms by which reactive oxygen species cause neuronal damage are not well understood, they have been shown to be linked with changes in neuron morphology as well as changes in blood-brain permeability, which lead to neurodegenerative damage and neuron death.32 There are several modifiable factors that can affect inflammatory pathways. For example, obesity causes increased production of leptin and tumor necrosis factor alpha, which are pro-inflammatory compounds.33 Certain foods contain antioxidants that may reduce the amount of reactive oxygen species present in nervous tissues. Other foods may have hormonal or neuromodulating effects. For example, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is a precursor to anti-inflammatory eicosanoids and has been found to modulate neurochemicals in the brain. Supplementation with EPA, a type of omega-3 fatty acid, has been found to be linked with a lower incidence of depression and schizophrenia and has been studied clinically as a potential treatment modality for these psychiatric conditions.34
Novel Treatments of Autoimmune Conditions
Irun R. Cohen in Perspectives on Autoimmunity, 2020
One particularly interesting approach has been to supplement the diet with eicosapentaenoic acid, a 5-double bonded fatty acid found in fish oil.94 The rationale behind the treatment is that high dietary levels of EPA would increase the levels of prostaglandins of the 3 series which are less inflammatory than prostaglandins of the 2 series derived from arachidonic acid.95 Prickett et al.94 reported that when B/W mice were fed such a diet, life was prolonged; onset of renal abnormalities was also delayed. A 12-week prospective double blind trial in patients with RA showed modest but clear improvement on an EPA-supplemented diet.95 The advantage of this treatment modality is its ease of administration, particularly compared with various restriction diets.
The Paleo Diet
Caroline Apovian, Elizabeth Brouillard, Lorraine Young in Clinical Guide to Popular Diets, 2018
Vitamin and mineral supplements can be taken as needed. While Cordain presents a nutrient analysis of a day on the Paleo Diet that exceeds the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) in most categories of micronutrients, he also acknowledges that supplements may be required for some people. For people who are not able to achieve adequate sun exposure for vitamin D production, he suggests supplementing up to 2000 IU vitamin D daily. Due to the presence of toxic substances that were not present in the Paleolitic environment, Cordain suggests supplementing some antioxidants beyond the levels achieved by the diet based on studies suggesting improved immune function and protection against cancer.7 These include daily doses of 200–400 IU vitamin E, 500–1000 milligrams vitamin C, and 200–400 micrograms selenium. Last, he suggests fish oil capsules for those who are not including fish in their diet. His recommendation is 1–2 grams of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) daily to decrease the risk of cancer and heart disease.7
Safety of Eicosapentaenoic Acid in Cancer Treatment: Effect on Cancer Cells and Chemotherapy in Vitro
Published in Nutrition and Cancer, 2021
Safiye Aktaş, Pınar Ercetin, Zekiye Altun, Mehmet Kantar, Nur Olgun
Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is one of the n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). It is essential for human health, and is found primarily in cold-water fish with the other essential fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Studies have demonstrated a positive role of PUFA in cardiovascular diseases and mental illnesses (1, 2). Furthermore, studies have shown that fatty acids such as EPA and DHA may play a beneficial role in the treatment of cancer by inhibiting the proliferation or inducing the apoptosis of cancer cells (3–4). N-3 PUFAs exert their beneficial effects by a broad range of actions, including calcium transport across cell membranes, angiogenesis, proliferation, and immune cell function. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of EPA are not completely understood (5–7). Cachexia is a major health problem in cancer patients undergoing severe combined chemotherapies and/or radiotherapy (8), and may even be a secondary cause of death. PUFAs are used to suppress cancer-associated cachexia, and to improve quality of life during cancer therapy (1); they have little or no effect on normal cells.
Pharmacotherapeutic options for cancer cachexia: emerging drugs and recent approvals
Published in Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy, 2023
Lorena Garcia-Castillo, Giacomo Rubini, Paola Costelli
Since most cachectic patients experience systemic inflammation, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), recognized for its anti-inflammatory effect, has been broadly studied in clinics. EPA can reduce the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6) and decrease the activity of proteolysis-inducing factors. However, the results obtained in clinical trials are controversial since opposite results are frequently obtained. Some studies have reported that EPA supplementation increases body weight or LBM in patients with cancer cachexia. Conversely, other reports do not show significant improvement in the levels of markers of inflammation, in body weight and in nutritional status, clearly highlighting the need for additional studies evaluating the beneficial effects of EPA supplementation in cancer cachexia [23].
A remote Whole Food Dietary Intervention to Reduce Fatigue and Improve Diet Quality in Lymphoma Survivors: Results of a Feasibility Pilot Study
Published in Nutrition and Cancer, 2023
Kellie R. Weinhold, Sarah Light, Anna Maria Bittoni, Suzanna Zick, Tonya S. Orchard
Changes in dietary variables of interest from baseline to post-intervention are reported in Table 5. No significant differences were reported for total calories or for percent of energy from carbohydrates, protein, or fat (all p > 0.05). Mean[SD] total n-3 PUFA intake increased significantly from baseline (2.09[1.42]g/day) to post-intervention (2.46[1.55]g/day) (p = 0.039). Mean[SD] intakes of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) (0.05[0.05]g/day, 0.11[0.12]g/day) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (0.11[0.10]g/day, 0.24[0.25]g/day) more than doubled from baseline to post-intervention, however increases were not statistically significant (p = 0.09, p = 0.07, respectively). Mean[SD] intakes of whole foods targeted in the intervention increased significantly (all p < 0.05): fruit (total and those high in vitamin C), vegetables (total, dark green, orange, and tomatoes), fish, and whole grains. Micronutrients found in high concentration in the targeted foods increased significantly from baseline to post-intervention (p < 0.05), including lycopene, a carotenoid present in tomatoes, vitamin C, and beta carotene, a carotenoid found in orange and yellow vegetables.
Related Knowledge Centers
- Carboxylic Acid
- Platelet
- Leukotriene
- Prostaglandin
- Thromboxane
- Omega-3 Fatty Acid
- Trivial Name
- Carbon
- Cis–Trans Isomerism
- Polyunsaturated Fat