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Inflammation and Health Hazards
COX-2 is an enzyme in our bodies that boosts the production of inflammatory chemicals. Normally, these proteins and hormone-like substances are churned out by our immune systems with no ill effects.
Under certain conditions, however, they may actually help cancer cells multiply and spread. That’s why one type of anti-inflammatory drugs, collectively called COX-2 inhibitors, are under study for a potential role in preventing or treating cancers of the colon, uterus, breast, prostate and other tissues. Does Nutrition Play A Role? And now, scientists are investigating whether the way we eat could also influence the kind of chronic inflammation that might be linked to cancer risk and other health problems. Around the world, different researchers are focusing on different aspects of the issue. Some are looking at how two families of polyunsaturated fats may work together to play a protective role.
This is why some scientists believe that if we boost omega-3 fats with regular consumption of naturally fatty fish or sources like flax, and reduce our excess use of vegetable oils, spreads and high-fat snacks made with them, we might make the COX-2 in our bodies less active, and decrease the amount of inflammatory hormones that might be associated with cancer risk.
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Normally, Inflammation is a good sign. When your thumb swells up after you accidentally bang it with a hammer, it tells you that your immune system is sending white blood cells and other, hormone-like substances to help start the healing process. But not every kind of inflammation is that easy to see, and it’s the invisible kind that takes place throughout our body, over and over again, that is attracting so much attention.
Omega-3 fats are found mainly in fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, and albacore (white) tuna, but are also found in flaxseeds and flaxseed oil, walnuts and canola oil. Omega-6 fats are found in many common vegetable oils (corn, safflower, sunflower). All are considered heart-healthy because they don’t raise blood cholesterol. But when omega-6 fats predominate over omega-3 fats, something else happens: our bodies seem to increase COX-2 levels and produce more of the hormone-like substances that promote inflammation. When omega-3 and omega-6 fats are more balanced in the diet, fewer of these inflammatory substances are produced.
