Effect of omega3 fatty acid supplementation on nutritional status in patients with gastric cancer during chemotherapy

Background: Although some studies have shown positive effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on nutritional status of cancer patients undergoing different treatments, there is no consistency in results. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of omega-3 fatty acid on the nutritional status of gastric cancer patients during the course of chemotherapy. Methods: In a double-blind clinical trial, 30 adult patients with gastric cancer receiving chemotherapy were randomized into a supplement and a placebo groups and given daily, for 6 weeks, a 3-g omega-3 fatty acid supplement (containing 1.8g eicosapentaeonic plus 1.2g docosahexaenoic acid) and oral paraffin, respectively. Anthropometric data was collected and nutritional status assessed at the beginning, at week 4 and at the end of week 6. The data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and independent sample t-test. Results: The findings indicated that omega-3 fatty acid supplementation increased body weight, mean daily intake of energy and macronutrients, serum levels of transferrin and albumin at the end of the 6-week period significantly (p<0.05). All these variables decreased in the placebo group (p<0.05). The increases in body weight, energy and carbohydrate intakes, and serum levels of albumin in the supplement group were time-dependent (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results of present study showed that omega-3 fatty acid supplementation can improve nutritional status in patients with gastric cancer during the course of chemotherapy. We recommend using omega-3 fatty acid supplement in patients with gastric cancer during chemotherapy.