THE USE OF OMEGA 3 IN CANCER PATIENTS

As carcinomas are a disease with high incidence and prevalence all over the planet, they are characterized by rapid growth and spread of abnormal cells, which reproduce and form a mass called a tumor. The omega 3 polyunsaturated long chain eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic, present in fish rich in fat and fish oil, have great repercussions on malignant tumors. The objective of this study is to describe the main benefits of nutritional therapy based on the use of omega 3 supplementation in cancer patients, essentially addressing the importance of meeting the needs of patients under treatment, without stimulating the development of the pathology. This work is a literary review, based on books, articles and scientific journals, published between 2007 and 2017, in Portuguese and English. AGs n-3 may inhibit carcinogenesis, delay the development of tumors, increase the efficacy of radiotherapy and chemotherapeutic drugs, as well as, it is worth mentioning, its important role in the cachexia that is induced by the disease.