Absolute Life Chiropractic

New Study Reveals That Back Surgery Fails 74% of the Time

	WE have talking about back surgery and how inconsistent it can be. According to William H. Kirkaldy-Willis, MA, MD, FRCS (E), FRCS (C), FACS, FICC (hon). 91% of all back pain is mechanical... not from a herniated disc or degenerative disease processes.  www.ZenapticChiropractic.com can help.   Dr. Troy M. Dreiling
	Editorial Commentary: Researchers reviewed records from 1,450 patients in the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation database who had diagnoses of disc degeneration, disc herniation or radiculopathy, a nerve condition that causes tingling and weakness of the limbs. Half of the patients had surgery to fuse two or more vertebrae in hopes of curing low back pain. The other half had no surgery, even though they had comparable diagnoses. After two years, just 26 percent of those who had surgery had actually returned to work. That’s compared to 67 percent of patients who didn’t have surgery. In what might be the most troubling study finding, researchers determined that there was a 41 percent increase in the use of painkillers, specifically opiates, in those who had surgery. “The study [1] provides clear evidence that for many patients, fusion surgeries designed to alleviate pain from degenerating discs don’t work”, says the study’s lead author Dr. Trang Nguyen, a researcher at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. [2] Just a month after back surgery, Nancy Scatena was once again in excruciating pain. The medications her doctor prescribed barely took the edge off the unrelenting back aches and searing jolts down her left leg. “The pain just kept intensifying,” says the 52-year-old Scottsdale, Ariz., woman who suffers from spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the chanel through which spinal nerves pass. “I was suicidal.” Finally, Scatena made an appointment with another surgeon, one whom friends had called a “miracle worker.” The new doctor assured her that this second operation would fix everything, and in the pain-free weeks following an operation to fuse two of her vertebrae it seemed that he was right. But then the pain came roaring back. Experts estimate that nearly 600,000 Americans opt for back operations each year. But for many like Scatena, surgery is just an empty promise, say pain management experts and some surgeons. This new study in the journal Spine [1] shows that in many cases surgery can even backfire, leaving patients in more pain. The study provides clear evidence that for many patients, fusion surgeries designed to alleviate pain from degenerating discs don’t work, says the study’s lead author Dr. Trang Nguyen, a researcher at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. [3] 27 Million Adults With Back Problems A recent report by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, a federal organization, found that in 2007, twenty-seven million adults reported back problems, with $30.3 billion spent on treatments to ease the pain. While some of that money is spent on physical therapy, pain management, chiropractor visits, and other non invasive therapies, a big chunk pays for spine surgeries. Complicated spine surgeries that involve fusing two or more vertebrae are on the rise. In just 15 years, there was an eight-fold jump in this type of operation, according to a study published in Spine in July. That has some surgeons and public health experts concerned. [4] You may also want to review the recently published European Guidelines for the Management of Acute and Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain, which specifically states:  "Surgery for non-specific CLBP cannot be recommended unless 2 years of all other recommended conservative treatments — including multidisciplinary approaches with combined programs of cognitive intervention and exercises — have failed". This study re-confirms the findings of the UK BEAM Trial, published in the British Medical Journal in 2004. [5] Those authors stated: "Manipulation, with or without exercise, improved symptoms more than best care (medical care) alone after three and 12 months.   However, analysis of the cost utility of different strategies shows that manipulation alone probably gives better value for money than manipulation followed by exercise" (page 1381).  You may also want to read these 3 recent Editorials: Why Do Spinal Surgery Rates Continue To Rise?  Chiro.Org Blog ~ April 10th, 2010  New Study Finds Chiropractic Care Superior to Family Physician-directed Usual Care Chiro.Org Blog ~ October 7th, 2010 If Not Chiropractic Care, Then What’s Your Alternative? Chiro.Org Blog ~ September 25th, 2010 REFERENCES: 1.   Long-term Outcomes of Lumbar Fusion Among Workers' Compensation Subjects: An Historical Cohort Study SPINE (Phila Pa 1976) 2011 (Feb 15);   36 (4):   320–331 2.   Study Says Back Surgery Often Makes Things Worse The Daily Hit ~ Oct 14, 2010 3.   Back Surgery May Backfire On Patients In Pain MSNBC.com ~ Oct 14, 2010 4.   Why Do Spinal Surgery Rates Continue To Rise? Chiro.Org Blog Editorial ~ April 10th, 2010 5.   Findings from the: “United Kingdom Back Pain Exercise and Manipulation (UK BEAM) Randomised Trial”

 

How Educated is Your Chiropractor?

THanks Dr Jeri.... GREAT POST:

How Educated is Your Chiropractor?

Chiropractors complete a rigorous course of study before becoming licensed healthcare practitioners. In order to be admitted to a chiropractic college, undergraduates must maintain good grades in a pre-med curriculum that includes courses in chemistry, biology, psychology and physics.

Your chiropractor graduated from an institution accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education, which upholds high standards of excellence. In school, students learn a hands-on approach to diagnosing and treating disease without reliance onpharmacological interventions.

Chiropractic Study

Students at chiropractic college complete a 4-year program composed of at least 4,200 hours of study. Future chiropractors divide their coursework into Basic Science and Clinical Science, and log many hours as they become specialists of the spine and nervous system. Here is how their study time in Basic Science is apportioned:

Anatomy            540 hours

Chemistry          165 hours

Diagnosis           630 hours

Microbiology       120 hours

Neurology          320 hours

Obstetrics           60 hours

Orthopedics        210 hours

Pathology           360 hours

Physiology          240 hours

Psychiatry          60 hours

Public Health       70 hours

X-Rays               360 hours

The last 2 years of chiropractic training are spent in the college clinic accumulating firsthand experience in actual patient care under strict supervision. The practices taught are evidence-based, which means they have been proven effective in research trials. In the clinic, students learn intricate spinal adjustment techniques, test their diagnostic skills, and are trained to recommend rehabilitative exercises. Because chiropractors are concerned not just with symptoms but also with root causes of disease and discomfort, students are taught to identify lifestyle factors that may have contributed to imbalance of the patient’s spine. Chiropractors-in-training also learn to recommend nutritional and dietary changes that may improve patients’ lives.

Chiropractic Practice

After such extensive hands-on training, chiropractors are well prepared to begin their practice in the real world. Professional requirements vary by State, and chiropractors only practice in the State where they have been licensed.

There are nearly 50,000 licensed chiropractors in the United States. Regulatory chiropractic boards monitor the profession to ensure high standards of competency. Many States have a continuing education requirement that must be met before renewal of a chiropractor’s license.

Chiropractic Imitators – a Dangerous Trend

It takes an extensive and specific course of study to become a specialist in something as vital as the spine. The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that chiropractic should not be regarded as a set of techniques that can be quickly mastered by other healthcare professionals. The WHO’s guidelines advise medical doctors to undergo 1,800 hours of further education before offering chiropractic services (800 classroom hours and 1,000 supervised hours in the clinic). And yet there is a trend among medical doctors (and even physical therapists!) to perform spinal manipulations with only cursory training – sometimes after having completed a weekend seminar. Vertebral adjustments should never be performed by anyone unless the full load of required coursework has been completed and a chiropractic license has been granted.

Chiropractors are Skilled Specialists

A doctor of chiropractic has the specialized training that is a prerequisite for locating and adjusting vertebral subluxations. Just as you would not allow a dentist to perform your heart surgery, you should only entrust your spine’s health to a licensed chiropractor.

Tags: alternative medicine, basic sciences, chiropractic, chiropractic colleges, chiropractic education, chiropractor, council on chiropractic education, educate, education, hours,license, manipulative therapy, nervous system, spinal adjustment, spinal manipulation,student learning, vertebral subluxation

http://www.awesomechiropractor.com/

 

vancouver family chiropractor

www.zenapticchiropractic.com

Fibromyalgia patient seeks improvement - Vancouver, WA Chiropractic 98661

I recently had a patient diagnosed with FM / Fibromyalgia and after 4 weeks of conservative chiropractic in Vancouver, WA she experienced a 60% reduction in symptoms and reported a better quality of life. Chiropractic works.

 

Here is a great article on how chiropractic can help patients with Fibromyalgia.

Numerous studies have been conducted analyzing the benefits of chiropractic care in fibromyalgia patients. A 1985 study asked 81 fibromyalgia patients to indicate drug or alternative treatments that best relieved their pain. Chiropractic care scored high in this study. Another study examined the effectiveness of chiropractic care in relieving fibromyalgia symptoms. After just 15 treatments, fibromyalgia patients suffered from less pain and fatigue, and actually enjoyed better sleep quality. (read more)

Here is a Case study published by Matt McCoy. It still amazes me that we can get such great results with the use of our hands to help re-establish balance in the bodies internal healing mechanism. When the Cortex, libic and brain stem are balanced the patient will express health and healing like no other care. We call this a WholisTIC approach.

CASE STUDY

 

Improvement in a Patient with Fibromyalgia Following Knee Chest Upper Cervical Specific Care:  A Case Report

   

Christopher Bennett DC Bio & Nicholas Tedder BSc, DC Bio   

 

Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research ~ Issue 1 ~ March 15, 2012 ~ Pages 27-30 

 

Abstract

---

Objective:  To review outcomes of upper cervical chiropractic care on a patient with fibromyalgia.

 

Clinical Features:  The patient was a 64 year old woman with the chief complaint of fibromyalgia diagnosed 6 years before presentation.  She also had complaints of sleep apnea, loss of coordination, glaucoma, degenerative disc disease, and changes in bowel habits.  After a thorough examination was done, it was determined that the patient had an upper cervical subluxation of C1.  This was determined by cervical radiographs, paraspinal thermography, prone leg length analysis, and postural assessment.

 

Intervention and Outcome:  The patient received Knee Chest Upper Cervical care for three months and at the time of this study had 80 percent relief of symptoms and an improvement in energy level.

 

Conclusions:  Although no definite conclusions can be drawn from one single case study, this study does show improvement of a patient presenting with fibromyalgia syndrome.  This study does warrant the need for a larger study such as a randomized controlled clinical trial to further understand the benefits of chiropractic on those with fibromyalgia.

 

 

Dr. Troy M. Dreiling 

Zenaptic Chiropractic a “Maximized Living Health Center” 

3021 NE 72nd Drive #15

Vancouver, WA 98661

Voice 360-260-6903  

Fax 360-260-4849

www.zenapticchiropractic.com

www.TheVancouverChiropractor.com

www.maximizedlivingDrDreiling.com

www.absoluteliferadio.com

 

 

 

 

Common painkillers increase risk of hearing loss

There it is, plain as day, on the Drugs.com website. It’s a warning about an acetaminophen side effect, tucked in the middle of a list of other possible adverse effects… Hearing loss. If you’ve ever seen this warning, you probably didn’t think much of it. After all, how many people do you know who have taken a couple of Tylenols and then suddenly lost their hearing? Thing is, the warning doesn’t mention a time frame. If your hearing deteriorates gradually over years, you may not think to connect it to acetaminophen use. But you should.

How’s that again? A steady intake of acetaminophen or non-steroidal anti- inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) puts your liver at risk. And regular use of these painkillers to address chronic headaches can actually contribute to the cycle of recurring headaches. Now, new research shows that hearing may also suffer. For 18 years, researchers conducting the Health Professionals’ Follow-Up Study followed medical records of nearly 27,000 men who were at least 40 years old when the study began.

Recently, a Boston team examined data from the study to see if there might be a link between painkiller use and ototoxicity–a toxic reaction in the auditory nerve. Results showed that men younger than 50 who took a painkiller at least twice each week dramatically increased their risk of hearing loss. Compared to men who used painkillers less frequently or not at all, NSAIDs use accounted for increased hearing loss of more than 60 percent. Those who took acetaminophen at least twice each week DOUBLED their risk of hearing loss.

Dr. Sharon Curhan, lead researcher of the study, told Reuters Health that for the average person, hearing loss of about one percent each year is typical. That may sound like a drop in the bucket, but those drops add up. The math is easy: in just the decade between 40 and 50, most of us loose 10 percent of our hearing. Dr. Curhan: “And the risk in those taking an analgesic would be proportionately higher.” Unlike most other causes of hearing loss, this one can be modified. You can read about non-drug alternatives to acetaminophen and NSAIDs in the e-Alert “Pyc a Little, Talk a Little”

(1/22/04). To Your Good Health, Jenny Thompson Sources: “Analgesic Use and the Risk of Hearing Loss in Men” The American Journal of Medicine, Vol. 123, No. 3, March 2010, amjmed.com “Common Painkillers Might Make You Hard of Hearing” Megan Brooks, Reuters Health, 3/5/10, reutershealth.com

Dr. Troy M. Dreiling 

Absolute Life Chiropractic a “Maximized Living Health Center”

9418 NE Vancouver Mall Drive

Vancouver, WA 98662

Voice 360-260-6903 

Fax 360-260-4849

www.absolutelife.com

www.maximizedlivingDrDreiling.com

www.TheVancouverChiropractor.com

www.paradigmmedia.us

 

Top health news of 2010

Don't Overthink It
The serious health problems linked to statin use just keep on coming... Researchers analyzed 13 large statin trials to compare rates of type 2 diabetes among placebo subjects and statin users. Their conclusion: For every 255 patients treated with statins for four years, one additional case of diabetes would develop. Acceptable? Let's do the math: About 20 million people take statins in the U.S. So one case of type 2 diabetes for every 255 patients comes to well over 78,000 people who will develop or already have developed diabetes as a statin side effect. Two words: Completely unacceptable. But you don't have to be the next victim...

Stealing sound
Common painkillers may significantly damage your hearing. In a new analysis of the Health Professionals' Follow-Up Study, researchers found that men who took acetaminophen at least twice each week DOUBLED their risk of hearing loss. And compared to men who used painkillers infrequently, regular use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen increased hearing loss more than 60 percent.

Get unzapped
Electropollution is the invisible pollution, and it's everywhere. Every day, we're all getting thoroughly zapped with hazardous electromagnetic fields (EMFs) generated by the numerous electrical and wireless devices in our homes, offices, schoolrooms, cars, restaurants, stores--just about everywhere. In a new book titled "Zapped," HSI Panelist Ann Louise Gittleman reveals the most dangerous EMF sources and the steps you must take to minimize exposure.

Hard to swallow
Fosamax, Boniva, Actonel and other bisphosphonate osteoporosis drugs have been shown to increase bone fracture risk when used for several years. Irony aside, that's bad enough. But new research from the British Medical Journal reports that extended bisphosphonate use (about five years) nearly DOUBLED the risk of esophageal cancer. If bisphosphonate pills aren't swallowed properly, the esophagus becomes inflamed, setting the stage for cancer. Find out the one way to make these dangerous drugs a little safer.

Brace yourself!
If your kids or grandkids have braces, you MUST check with the orthodontist immediately to find out what scanning method is used. If the answer is "cone-beam CT scan," request an alternative screening method. A New York Times investigation reveals that cone-beam scanning emits a massive radiation dose--much more radiation than a conventional x-ray. And it's a huge risk for kids, because children--especially adolescents--are much more vulnerable to the effects of radiation than adults.

Borrowing some time
We'll finish up where we started--with another impressive vitamin D study. And this one, I admit, is close to the heart. For more than two decades my father suffered with chronic lymphocytic leukemia before his death last year. Like most CLL patients, he was told that this type of cancer grows slowly and chemotherapy is started only when symptoms begin. Just last month, a Mayo Clinic study showed that when a patient's vitamin D levels are high, the interval between CLL diagnosis and the start of chemo is longer than in patients with low D levels. There's no firm evidence yet that use of a D supplement can prolong that interval. But other research already suggests that cancer growth may be slowed by ample D intake from sunlight exposure, dietary sources, and supplements.

And that's just the tip of D iceberg. We're really learning that there is almost nothing this vitamin can't do!


--

Dr. Troy M. Dreiling

Absolute Life Chiropractic a “Maximized Living Health Center”

9418 NE Vancouver Mall Drive

Vancouver, WA 98662

Voice 360-260-6903 

Fax 360-260-4849

www.absolutelife.com

www.maximizedlivingDrDreiling.com

www.TheVancouverChiropractor.com

www.paradigmmedia.us

Adversity

Adversity

 

 

Written by Dr. Jeffrey G. Hedges

 

            Research studies have shown that people perceive their stress levels to be quite varied.  On a scale of one to ten, respondents run the full range for what they believe their stress levels to be.  Sadly most people see themselves in the higher ranges rather than the lower ones.  Why is there such a wide variation and more importantly, why is it that most people perceive their stress levels to be high?  Is it the economy?  The world situation?  Life in general?  We really have no way of comparing the stresses of life today with 100 or 200 years ago.

            It has been suggested that stress is not caused by the events or circumstances of life but by how an individual responds to those circumstances.  Unpleasant events and circumstances have been described as adversities which when not dealt with result in stress.  Hans Seyle, PhD, a world famous neurologist who did work in this area over a generation ago, described adversity as stress and the inability to handle that adversity as distress.  He theorized that stress was good.  We all need some adversity in our life in order to grow, to adapt, to be able to handle greater adversities as they occur.  In the area of health, developing permanent immunity is merely a matter of handling the adversity of a disease so the body can learn to fight off the microorganism every time it comes in contact with it in the future.  Permanent immunity makes you a stronger person.  Lifting weights is a stress but if done properly with the right amount, this adversity can make a person stronger and bigger.    Even emotional stress, if overcome, often makes us stronger.  People even say, “Well if it doesn’t kill me, it will make me stronger.”

            We realize that certain adversities just cannot be overcome.  They are just too overwhelming.  Whether it is emotional, physical or chemical, if any given adversity is too great it will result in stress and that stress will reduce the quality of your life.  Yet between insurmountable adversity and that which no one would even give a second thought to are the vast array of circumstances, events, and situations in life that cause tremendous stress in some people and do not affect others.  From that we must conclude that there is a factor or factors inside of people that makes one person better able to handle adversity and not allow it to become stress and others less able to handle it.

            One of those factors is the vertebral subluxation.  How well you adapt to all types of stress is dependent upon the proper function of your nerve system and vertebral subluxation not only reduces the ability of the nerve system to work as well as it should but it is another stress upon the body compounding the stresses that you already have.  In this day and age when people are constantly faced with adversity and potential, stress-causing factors, why would you want anything like a vertebral subluxation that can reduce you body’s ability to handle the adversities of life.  Further, if you do have a vertebral subluxation would it not be wise to have it corrected as soon as possible?  That is why regular chiropractic adjustments are so important.

 

Say No to Stress

 

WHAT STRESS???

By: Dr. Jennifer Carson

                The Holidays are coming up quickly and in these times people’s lives tend to be more hectic. We must always remember that whatever we do in our daily lives affects our bodies on a cellular level. This cellular level translates into tissues, those tissues turn into organs and then organ systems. The end result = you! This is why it’s so important to maintain the system that runs it all: the nervous system. When your brain and spinal nerves are connected to each other your body is functioning at 100%. This means that you are living life as intended. Your body will heal a cut; it will heal a cold and even prevent cancer as long as its communication line (your nervous system) is open. Now once you’ve got the nervous system working and your body functioning you have to do all you can to support this system. Subluxation or misalignment of the bone can be caused by stress physical, chemical, and emotional. It is up to us to take measures to prevent stress. During the holidays it’s easy to get overloaded.

                Here are some tried and true methods that have been utilized by many successful, busy, unstressed, humans. Empower yourself:  keep on track with your adjustments and enjoy the Holidays Subluxation and stress free!

Breathe

• Proper breathing has a dramatic impact on muscle relaxation, tension reduction, lowering heart rate, and increasing mental clarity.  Lie down on your spinal sleeping aids to try this. Put your hand on your stomach and breathe in to feel your stomach rise, place your other hand on your chest and try not to breathe through your lunges. This takes practice but the benefits are astronomical.
  • Practice this when you are exercising you will be able to exercise longer and more efficiently.

 

Organize, Organize, Organize!

• Don’t let overwhelm take a hold of you. Take a piece of scrap paper or a small notebook and make a list the night before or early in the morning of six most important things you have to get done. Put the one you don’t want to do at the top. Procrastination and dread never make anyone feel good. Get that one done and move on. You can always add to the list!

 

Water ,Water, Water!

• Dehydration stresses the nervous system. In order to have proper function, all cellular processes, tissues regeneration, and detoxification you must be hydrated! When you are hydrated you will have more energy and mental clarity. Your immune system will be stronger. To get adequately hydrated take your body weight and multiply it by .5 or .7. This is the amount in ounces that you should be drinking. This may come to a surprise as many. Additionally if you drink caffeinated beverages you must drink two additional glasses of water to rehydrate yourself!

 

ME, ME, ME!

• We live in a society where we are constantly bombarded with noise and information. Take time for yourself and enjoy peace and quiet. Set your alarm early 10 -15 minutes and reflect on all that you have in life, what you accomplished yesterday, and what you are going to do today!

 

KEYS TO PEACE

• Listen to music! It rejuvenates the soul and classical stimulates the mind.
• Read! Focus on positive subjects that will empower you or motivate you.
• Make a gratitude list or better yet don’t let your feet touch the ground until you name 10 things your grateful for!
• Get a good night’s sleep. Many of us trim around our sleeping time which can lead to a crabby morning after. Be good to yourself shut down early and enjoy the day you’ve been given!

7 tips for a healthier you

WHY WUJI for Health?

WHY WUJI

Dr. Troy Dreiling

Years ago in ravaged, post-war Japan, the people faced a serious nutrient shortage.

Out of this shortage, the Rockefeller Foundation and the Japanese Government co-sponsored research on growing, harvesting, and processing chlorella on a large commercially-available scale.

Why?

The chlorophyll-rich green algae showed tremendous nutrient-rich value to help solve the shortage problem.

Chlorophyll's nutrient-rich properties can promote growth and repair of your body's tissues.*

Japan was not the only country to face nutrient shortage issues after World War II. 

Through my colleague, Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt, I learned of a woman who lived in China during the post-war.

She told Dr. Klinghardt how her village gained the nutrients they needed by taking nutrient-rich chlorella.

So, this is more historical evidence as to the extraordinary natural nutrient source provided by chlorella... a pure green algae rich in chlorophyll.

But what are the specific benefits that chlorophyll can provide you?

Here are just a few benefits you may experience as chlorophyll...*

• Aids you in processing more oxygen*
• Cleanses key elimination systems like your bowel, liver, and blood*
• Helps purify your blood and clean away toxins*
• Aids you in promoting optimal blood pressure*
• Supports elimination of molds in your body*
• Helps neutralize bad air you might breathe in*
• Promotes growth and repair of your tissues

Source www.Mercola.com

Fish Oil Linked to Lower Breast Cancer Risk

Study Shows Fish Oil Supplements May Cut Risk of Invasive Ductal Breast Cancer

By Denise Mann

Posted by Dr. Troy M Dreiling  www.absolutelife,com

July 8, 2010 -- Taking fish oil supplements may help reduce breast cancer risk, shows a preliminary study in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.

In the study of 35,016 older women with no history of breast cancer, those who reported currently taking fish oil supplements on a regular basis had a 32% reduced risk for developing invasive ductal breast cancer, compared with women who did not take fish oil supplements.

"There is some limited evidence from my study and others that fish oil may be good for preventing breast cancer, but there is not sufficient evidence to make a public health recommendation right now," cautions study researcher Emily White, PhD, an epidemiologist at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle. "If you are taking fish oil now for other reasons, this is reassuring that it may have beneficial effects beside what you are taking it for," she says. Many people currently take fish oil supplements to decrease their risk for heart disease.

In the study, 880 women developed breast cancer during six years of follow-up. The use of fish oil was linked to lower risk of invasive ductal breast cancer. Ductal breast cancer is the most common type of breast cancer and forms in the milk ducts. Lobular breast cancer forms in the milk glands. Researchers did not have information on the doses of fish oil that were taken by women in the study.

Exactly how fish oil may affect breast cancer risk is not fully understood, but it may be related to its strong anti-inflammatory properties. Some research suggests that inflammation plays a role in the development of breast and other cancers. Other studies have not found a link between eating more fatty fish and breast cancer risk, but it may be that the amount of omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil supplements is much higher than what is typically found in the diet.

Other supplements were not linked to breast cancer risk in the new study, including black cohosh, dong quai, soy, and St. John's wort, which are often taken to relieve some of the symptoms of menopause.

The new research is part of the Vitamins and Lifestyle (VITAL) study, which included data from women 50 to 76 years old from Washington state.

Second Opinion

"This study is one of the largest studies that have come out showing that there may be role for fish oil in the prevention of cancer, specifically breast cancer," says Lorenzo Cohen, MD, director of the Integrative Medicine Program and chief of the section of integrative medicine in the department of general oncology at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

"It is most likely useful for cardiovascular risks, and the jury is still out on whether it helps in the prevention of breast cancer, but it's not going to hurt," he says.

Second Opinion continued...

It's buyer beware when it comes to choosing fish oil supplements, he says.

"Some products may be contaminated with heavy metals," he says. "If you are not going to get fish oil from the fish itself, do appropriate homework to make sure you choose a reputable product," he says.

Peiying Yang, PhD, an assistant professor of integrative medicine at M.D. Anderson, recently received a grant to study how fish oil supplements affect lung cancer risk. "Fish oil, in general, is a very good anti-inflammatory agent, and inflammation plays a role in cancer development," she says.

The new findings are "interesting and provocative," says Bette Caan, DrPh, a senior research scientist at the Kaiser Permanente Northern California Division of Research in Oakland. "I would not recommend that people start taking fish oil specifically to prevent breast cancer because the data is just not there yet, but if they are taking it for other reasons, they should continue."