Abstract
Recently, nutraceutical bioactive compounds in foods have been discovered for their potential health benefits regarding the prevention of chronic disorders, such as cancer, and inflammatory, cardiovascular, and metabolic diseases. Dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3PUFAs), including alpha-linolenic acid, docosapentaenoic acid, and eicosapentaenoic acid, are mostly attractive. They are available for the customers worldwide from commonly used foods and/or as components of commercial food supplements. The anti-inflammatory and hypotriglyceridemic effects of these fatty acids are well known, whereas pro-inflammatory properties have been recognized in their dietary counterparts, the ω-6PUFAs. Both ω-3 and ω-6PUFAs contribute to the production of lipid mediators such as endocannabinoids that are notably involved in control of food intake, energy sensing, and food–related disorders. In this review, we present ω-3 and ω-6PUFAs and their derivatives, endocannabinoids; discuss the anti-obesity effects of ω-3PUFAs; their roles in inflammation and colorectal cancer development; and how their action can be co-preventative and co-therapeutic.Recently, nutraceutical bioactive compounds in foods have been discovered for their potential health benefits regarding the prevention of chronic disorders, such as cancer, and inflammatory, cardiovascular, and metabolic diseases. Dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3PUFAs), including alpha-linolenic acid, docosapentaenoic acid, and eicosapentaenoic acid, are mostly attractive. They are available for the customers worldwide from commonly used foods and/or as components of commercial food supplements. The anti-inflammatory and hypotriglyceridemic effects of these fatty acids are well known, whereas pro-inflammatory properties have been recognized in their dietary counterparts, the ω-6PUFAs. Both ω-3 and ω-6PUFAs contribute to the production of lipid mediators such as endocannabinoids that are notably involved in control of food intake, energy sensing, and food–related disorders. In this review, we present ω-3 and ω-6PUFAs and their derivatives, endocannabinoids; discuss the anti-obesity effects of ω-3PUFAs; their roles in inflammation and colorectal cancer development; and how their action can be co-preventative and co-therapeutic.
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Key Points
This review article assessed ω-3 and ω-6PUFAs and their derivatives, endocannabinoids; discussed the anti-obesity effects of ω-3PUFAs; their role in inflammation and colorectal cancer (CRC) development; and co-preventative and co-therapeutic applications. A balanced ω-6/ω-3 ratio 1–2/1 is an important dietary factor in the prevention of obesity, along with physical activity. Different pro- and anti-inflammatory properties are exerted by ω-6 and ω-3PUFAs themselves and by their derivatives, such as endocannabinoids, lipid mediators deeply involved in the control of many biological functions, including the inflammatory response and the central and local control of food intake and energy homeostasis. Therefore, appropriate dietary intervention has primarily relevance in the prevention and the treatment of obesity in that it maintains the efficiency of key signaling pathways and avoids long term/chronic inflammatory states.
Inflammation is a predisposing factor for cancer, CRC included, with ω-3PUFAs exhibiting anti-cancer properties, once again confirming the need for a balanced ω-6/ω-3 ratio for health preservation.
The discovery of cancer stem cells offers a new perspective in cancer therapy. Since CSCs contribute to cancer onset and relapse after conventional therapy, they can represent a unique fundamental therapeutic target to completely cure cancer. Thus, the effect of ω-3s on CSLC may be an important goal for cancer therapy and will constitute an interesting challenge for future studies. Anyway, the anti-tumor activity of ω-3s, performed through multiple mechanisms, suggests that they could have an important therapeutic role in the management of CRC.