Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation, nutritional status and quality of life in patients with gastrointestinal cancer: double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study

Introduction: Cancer cachexia is characterized by weight loss, immunosuppression and is associated with worse prognosis and quality of life. Objectives: To evaluate the effect of ω-3 supplementation on nutritional status, functional capacity and quality of life of patients with gastrointestinal cancer. Methods: the placebo group (P) (n = 10) received seven 1,000 mg capsules of soybean oil and the supplement group (S) (n = 11) seven 1,000 mg capsules of fish oil and flaxseed containing 214.3 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid and 113.5 mg of docosahexaenoic acid daily for 14 days. We evaluated weight, body composition, inflammatory and immunological markers, functional capacity and quality of life. Results: The average weight variation of the P group before and after treatment was -0.44 ± 2.7 kg and of S group was 0.07 ± 1.4 kg, with no statistical difference. The average BMI of the sample was 20.5 ± 3.4 kg / m 2. There was a significant reduction of total serum protein (p = 0.005) and albumin (p = 0.011) in the P group; and an increase in levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) (p = 0.005) and decrease in total lymphocyte count (p = 0.037). An increase in serum transfer