Fish Oil Supplement Helps Weight Gain in Pancreatic Cancer Patients
Author Information
Author(s): Barber M D, Ross J A, Voss A C, Tisdale M J, Fearon K C H
Primary Institution: University Department of Surgery, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
Hypothesis
Can a combination of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) with a conventional oral nutritional supplement produce weight gain in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer?
Conclusion
The study found that patients with advanced pancreatic cancer gained weight after consuming a fish oil-enriched nutritional supplement.
Supporting Evidence
- Patients were losing weight at a median rate of 2.9 kg month−1 at baseline.
- After 3 weeks, patients gained a median of 1 kg and after 7 weeks, a median of 2 kg.
- Dietary intake increased significantly by almost 400 kcal day−1.
Takeaway
Patients with pancreatic cancer who took a special fish oil drink gained weight, which is usually hard for them.
Methodology
Patients consumed two cans of a fish oil-enriched nutritional supplement daily and were assessed for weight and dietary intake.
Participant Demographics
Patients had unresectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
Statistical Information
P-Value
P = 0.024; P = 0.033; P = 0.002
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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