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Dietary Fat and Cancer-Which Is Good, Which Is Bad, and the Body of Evidence.
- Source :
-
International journal of molecular sciences [Int J Mol Sci] 2020 Jun 09; Vol. 21 (11). Date of Electronic Publication: 2020 Jun 09. - Publication Year :
- 2020
-
Abstract
- A high-fat diet (HFD) induces changes in gut microbiota leading to activation of pro-inflammatory pathways, and obesity, as a consequence of overnutrition, exacerbates inflammation, a known risk factor not only for cancer. However, experimental data showed that the composition of dietary fat has a greater impact on the pathogenesis of cancer than the total fat content in isocaloric diets. Similarly, human studies did not prove that a decrease in total fat intake is an effective strategy to combat cancer. Saturated fat has long been considered as harmful, but the current consensus is that moderate intake of saturated fatty acids (SFAs), including palmitic acid (PA), does not pose a health risk within a balanced diet. In regard to monounsaturated fat, plant sources are recommended. The consumption of plant monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), particularly from olive oil, has been associated with lower cancer risk. Similarly, the replacement of animal MUFAs with plant MUFAs decreased cancer mortality. The impact of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on cancer risk depends on the ratio between ω-6 and ω-3 PUFAs. In vivo data showed stimulatory effects of ω-6 PUFAs on tumour growth while ω-3 PUFAs were protective, but the results of human studies were not as promising as indicated in preclinical reports. As for trans FAs (TFAs), experimental data mostly showed opposite effects of industrially produced and natural TFAs, with the latter being protective against cancer progression, but human data are mixed, and no clear conclusion can be made. Further studies are warranted to establish the role of FAs in the control of cell growth in order to find an effective strategy for cancer prevention/treatment.
- Subjects :
- Animals
Diet, High-Fat adverse effects
Diet, Mediterranean
Fats chemistry
Fatty Acids, Unsaturated chemistry
Fatty Acids, Unsaturated pharmacology
Gastrointestinal Microbiome drug effects
Humans
Inflammation microbiology
Lipid Metabolism drug effects
Obesity complications
Oxidative Stress
Xenobiotics toxicity
Dietary Fats adverse effects
Dietary Fats pharmacology
Inflammation etiology
Neoplasms etiology
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1422-0067
- Volume :
- 21
- Issue :
- 11
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- International journal of molecular sciences
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 32526973
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21114114