Fish Oil Supplementation Enhances Pulmonary Strength and Endurance in Women Undergoing Chemotherapy

Abstract

We investigated the effect of fish oil (FO) supplementation, at 4 g/day, on the respiratory performance and blood lipid profile of 32 patients with breast cancer at the beginning of chemotherapy. They were randomized into two groups: control (C) and FO supplemented (S). Both groups underwent three respiratory evaluations and blood harvest (before chemotherapy-Day 0, and 30 and 60 days after supplementation). The S group showed a significant increase in the maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressure (P ≤ 0.05 vs. Day 0) and in the maximum voluntary ventilation (P ≤ 0.05). In the treadmill 6-min-walk test, the S group had a significant increase in the walked distance (P ≤ 0.05). Blood lactate concentration was significantly lower in the S group after 60 days, at rest, when compared to C (P ≤ 0.05). Plasma high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentration remained the same after 60 days of supplementation, while in the C group, it decreased significantly (P ≤ 0.05 Day 0 vs. Day 60). Triacylglycerol (TAG) plasma concentration in the S group was lower when compared to the C group (P ≤ 0.05 Day 60S vs. Day 60). Supplementation with FO caused improvement in the respiratory muscle strength and endurance, ameliorated functional performance, and kept TAG, HDL cholesterol, and lactate plasma concentration at normal levels.

The Significance of Microenvironmental and Circulating Lactate in Breast Cancer

“…Other studies have proven that the glucose metabolism of BC cells is probably influenced by nutrient and substrate availability and by nutrition. For example, plasma lactate concentrations were significantly lower after 60 days of fish oil supplementation in BC patients during adjuvant chemotherapy in respect to a control group [143]. Moreover, another study found that 12 weeks of a ketogenic, high-fat, and very low-carbohydrate diet were associated with a significant reduction in circulating lactate levels in comparison to a control group [144].…”

Support with nutrition for women receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer

“…The intervention group were 80% less likely to have nausea and vomiting, 92.8% less likely to have problems with bowel function, and 20% less likely to have poor appetite than the control group. In a study of fish oil supplementation, Suzumura et al (2016) reported significantly enhanced respiratory function (p<0.05), and significantly lower blood lactate concentration (p<0.05) in women in the intervention group compared to the control group who did not take the supplement.…”