Affecting approximately one in five Americans over the course of their lifetime, skin cancer is the most common cancer in the country, according to statistics from the Skin Cancer Foundation. Most people are familiar with the greatest risk factor associated with this condition: excess sun exposure. However, in addition to lathering on suntan lotion when you go outside and steering clear of tanning salons, researchers have recently discovered that making a dietary change could also protect your from contracting skin cancer.
According to reports, scientists from the University of Manchester have found that taking omega-3 fatty acid supplements may reduce the risk of developing skin cancer by fortifying an individual's immune system against the sun's effects.
While exposure to sunlight is beneficial in some ways – namely because sunlight is a primary source of vitamin D – Medical News Today notes that it can also trigger a process called "immunosuppression," which leaves the skin more susceptible to damage and disease.
With funding from the Association for International Cancer Research, the researchers conducted a clinical trial during which a selection of volunteers took fish oil supplements each day while others received a placebo pill. These individuals were then exposed to a sunlight machine for set periods of time. The scientists ultimately discovered that the immunosuppression caused by sunlight in individuals who had consumed omega-3 was half that of those who hadn't.
"This study adds to the evidence that omega-3 is a potential nutrient to protect against skin cancer," said Professor Lesley Rhodes. "Although the changes we found […] were small, they suggest that a continuous low level of chemoprevention from taking omega-3 could reduce the risk of skin cancer over an individual's lifetime."
As well as potentially reducing the risk of skin cancer, omega-3 fatty acids are also known to provide essential nutrition for the brain, and can help fortify the immune system against many physical and mental ailments.
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