Arachidonic Acid and Cancer

Arachidonic Acid, an omega 6 fatty acid acid found  in animal products has been linked to the growth of certain cancers.   The omega 6 fatty acids are necessary for our bodies' inflammatory responses.  However most people, living in affluent nations, are ingesting more than is ideal of these fatty acids, and hence inflammation, in various forms and conditions, is common.  And there is a link between chronic inflammation and cancer.  So it makes sense, in our efforts to prevent or manage cancer, we should aim for a diet that is low in arachidonic acid and inflammation promoting foods.

Eating a plant based diet, substituting plant sources of protein for animal sources is crucial, as this deprives cancer cells,and our bodies' in general, of readily available arachidonic acid.  But our bodies can synthesize it too, from dietary sources of linoleic acid.  So, though we need some linoleic acid for proper health and functioning, limiting excess will assist us in maintaining a body that does not suffer from the aches and pains of chronic inflammation.  For more information on linoleic acids and the foods in which it is found in relatively high amounts check out this past blog post http://livingtheholisticlife.blogspot.com/2012/07/what-foods-provide-omega-6-fatty-acids.html