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Fat, fish oil and the cancer anorexia/weight loss syndrome: lessons learned from recent studies with eicosapentaenoic acid

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Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine

Abstract

The cancer anorexia/weight loss syndrome is a major source of distress for patients with advanced, refractory cancer. This syndrome is associated with an early demise and a decline in quality of life. Initial laboratory and clinical phase II data suggest that eicosapentaenoic acid supplements may mitigate some aspects of this syndrome. However, recent phase III data are less promising. This review discusses several of these studies and points out some of the pitfalls encountered in clinical trials that focus on the cancer anorexia/weight loss syndrome.

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  1. Mayo Clinic and Mayo Foundation, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA

    Aminah Jatoi

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  1. Aminah Jatoi
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Correspondence to Aminah Jatoi.

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Jatoi, A. Fat, fish oil and the cancer anorexia/weight loss syndrome: lessons learned from recent studies with eicosapentaenoic acid. Evid-Based-Integrative-Med 1, 51–55 (2004). https://doi.org/10.2165/01197065-200301010-00009

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2165/01197065-200301010-00009

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