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Skin Cancer Prevention - Could Fish In Your Diet Make A
Difference
Researchers at Manchester University have uncovered
exciting evidence that Omega 3s can improve the
resistance to harmful ultra violet rays. Oily fish in
your diet could give you a permanent natural defence the
equivalent of a weak sun screen.
Dermatology Researchers at Hope Hospital, Salford,
Manchester have uncovered exciting evidence that oily fish
in your diet could help in the prevention of skin cancer.
Omega 3 oils in fish have long been associated with
health benefits in conditions such as poor concentration in
children and protection against heart disease and dementia,
but it now appears that these essential fatty acids protect
the skin against the DNA damage that can cause skin cancer.
Sun burn is a major factor in the development of skin
cancer. Fair skinned people are particularly susceptible and
sun burn increases the chances of developing skin cancer at
a later date.
The research consisted of a group of 42 healthy people
being given a fish oil supplement that would be the
equivalent of three portions of oily fish a week.
After one month, they were less likely to burn and after
three months, their resistance had risen to 33% less likely.
A group of people who suffered from sun allergy doubled
their defence after 6 months.
These groups were measured against a third group who had
been given olive oil which had no effect.
The protection derived from the change in diet would be
equivalent to a permanent mild sun screen but would not
protect against fierce sun.
Many people only apply sun screen if they're officially
sunbathing and then it can be patchy.
Serious damage can happen in as little as 15 minutes -
maybe walking to the shops or taking the dog out - doing a
bit of gardening - how many of us would bother to put sun
screen on for those tasks?
In the UK, skin cancer rates have doubled every decade
since 1940 and there are now around 100,000 new cases and
2000 deaths a year. These increases are reflected in pale
skinned people all around the world.
Much of the increase in the UK has been put down to more
people taking holidays abroad and exposing themselves to
excessive sun. However, there are many days in the UK when
it would be advisable to protect ourselves but because the
climate is mild overall, we don't bother.
Increasing oily fish in your diet is easy - even canned
fish (apart from tuna) retains the omega 3s, so salmon,
mackerel, sardines and the like can all be used straight
from the can.
Now is the right time to make the change in the Northern
Hemisphere, so you'll have the additional protection by next
summer.
Article Author - Liz Alderson
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