By Fiona Macrae for the Daily Mail
21:00 10 Jul 2013
- Supplement was also increased low-grade prostate cancer risk by 44%
- One theory is that pills may dampen down the immune system
- Omega-3 fish oils are one of the most popular supplements in the UK
Fish-oil supplements credited with a range of health benefits could trigger prostate cancer.
Experts found that omega-3 fatty acids may raise the risk of the most lethal form of the disease by more than 70 per cent.
Researchers warned against omega-3 pills, and recommended eating just one or two meals of oily fish per week.
Fish-oil supplements are said to protect against heart attacks and strokes, stave off arthritis, boost brain power and prevent behaviour disorders in children.
However, scientists found that those with the highest levels of omega-3 in their blood were 71 per cent more likely to develop fast-growing, hard-to-treat prostate tumours.
They were also more likely to contract the slower, less deadly form of the disease, with the overall prostate cancer risk raised by 43 per cent.