Fish oil may help body better utilize breast cancer medication

Consuming a diet mainly composed of fruits, vegetables and fish can help individuals keep their weight in check and maintain good heart health. Recent research suggests that this sort of regimen may also help women with breast cancer more efficiently utilize a specific medication.

The study, which was conducted by scientists at the Fox Chase Cancer Center, determined that consuming a diet containing large amounts of fish oil in it may boost the body's uptake of tamoxifen, a common breast cancer treatment.

The team found that women who ate such a diet for two months had noticeably higher expression of genes that initiate immune response to tumors.

Researchers theorized that this reaction may be partially due to the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil. They noted that such a diet could be used to maximize the effect of medications given to women with breast carcinomas.

Even in healthy women, a nutritious diet that contains plenty of fish-based lean proteins, whole grains and produce can lower an individual's risk of certain forms of cancer, including tumors of the breast, colon, kidney and esophagus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Eating more fish and produce can also help dieters lose weight while feeling full.