Do not smoke, do not expose yourself too much to the sun, consume alcohol in moderation… Some tips for preventing cancer are well known today. But others are less so.
Researchers at the University Hospital of Zurich thus recall that “vitamin D inhibits the growth of cancer cells. Likewise, omega-3s can prevent normal cells from turning into cancerous cells. And exercise has been shown to improve immune function and decrease inflammation, which may help prevent cancer. Faced with this observation, they therefore wondered: can combining these three actions provide even more protection?
An overall cancer risk reduction of 61%
To answer this question, they conducted the DO-HEALTH trial for three years and in five European countries (Germany, Austria, France, Portugal and Switzerland). They tested the effect of a high daily dose of vitamin D3 (a form of vitamin D supplementation), omega-3s and a simple home exercise program in adults aged 70 and over.
As a result, each of the treatments had a small individual benefit. But when the three treatments were combined, the benefits became statistically significant. Researchers found an overall cancer risk reduction of 61%.
“This is the first randomized controlled trial to show that the daily combination of vitamin D3, marine omega-3s and a simple home exercise program can be effective in preventing invasive cancer in adults generally. healthy and active ages 70 and older,” the authors note.
Even if these results deserve confirmation (the follow-up having lasted only three years), they could have an impact on the future of the prevention of invasive cancer in the elderly.