Lee Swanson Research Update

Fish Oil Improves Postoperative Liver and Pancreas Function

December 2004

TPN

Fish oil supplementation after major abdominal tumor surgery in cancer patients helped improve liver and pancreas function, according to a study published in the International Journal of Cancer.

In the double-blind study of 44 subjects undergoing elective major abdominal surgery, patients were randomly assigned to receive total parenteral nutrition (TPN) supplemented with either soybean oil or a combination of fish oil and soybean oil for five days. TPN is the delivery of nutrients into the body through an intravenous drip. TPN is commonly used during surgical recoveries.

During the recovery phase of the study, patients who supplemented with fish oil experienced improved liver and pancreas function as opposed to patients taking strictly soybean oil. Researchers believe the boost to liver and pancreas function probably contributed to the faster recovery time of the patients receiving fish oil.

International Journal of Cancer111(4):611-616, 2004

New to Natural Health?
Tools
Customer Service