"Omegas from fish pack a stronger punch than flaxseed and other oils when it comes to cancer prevention according to a firstever University of Guelph study. Prof. David Ma has discovered that marinebased omegas are eight times more effective at inhibiting tumour development and growth. This study is the first to compare the cancerfighting potency of plant versus marinederived omegas on breast tumour development said the professor in the Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences. There is evidence that both omegas from plants and marine sources are protective against cancer and we wanted to determine which form is more effective. There are three types of omega fatty acids alinolenic acid ALA eicosapentaenoic acid EPA and docosahexaenoic acid DHA. ALA is plantbased and found in such edible seeds as flaxseed and in oils such as soy canola and hemp oil. EPA and DHA are found in marine life such as fish algae and phytoplankton. Published in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry the study involved feeding the different types of omegas to mice with a highly aggressive form of human breast cancer called HER. HER affects per cent of women and has a poor prognosis. Ma exposed the mice to either the plantbased or the marinebased omegas beginning in utero. The mice were exposed to the different omegas even before tumours developed which allowed us to compare how effective the fatty acids are at prevention said Ma. Its known that EPA and DHA can inhibit breast tumour growth but no one has looked directly at how effective these omegas are compared to ALA. Ma found overall exposure to marinebased omegas reduced the size of the tumours by  to  per cent and the number of tumours by  per cent. However higher doses of the plantbased fatty acid were required to deliver the same impact as the marinebased omegas. Omegas prevent and fight cancer by turning on genes associated with the immune system and blocking tumour growth pathways said Ma. It seems EPA and DHA are more effective at this. In North America we dont get enough omegas from seafood so there lies an opportunity to improve our diet and help prevent the risk of breast cancer. Based on the doses given in the study Ma said humans should consume two to three servings of fish a week to have the same effect. Besides certain foods containing EPA and DHA supplements and functional foods such as omega eggs or DHA milk can offer similar cancer prevention effects he added. The next step is to investigate the effects of omegas on other forms of breast cancer. Seeing the significant benefits omegas can have in combatting a highly aggressive form of breast cancer means omegas will likely be beneficial for other types of cancer."