Fish Oil May Help Lung Cancer Patients Gain Weight and Feel Better, Study Finds

This meta-analysis combined data from six clinical trials to look at whether omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA, found in fish oil) could help patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer who were experiencing cancer cachexia—a severe weight loss and muscle wasting condition common in advanced cancer.

Pooling results from 354 patients across five trials, researchers found that patients taking omega-3 supplements gained significantly more weight compared to those who didn’t. Two trials involving 132 patients also looked at quality of life scores, finding meaningful improvements in both overall global health ratings and physical functioning among those taking omega-3s.

However, when researchers examined changes in lean body mass or skeletal muscle mass specifically (measured by CT scan or bioimpedance), the difference between groups was not statistically significant. This suggests the weight gain seen may not have primarily come from increased muscle mass.

The researchers concluded that omega-3 supplementation appears to offer meaningful benefits for weight and quality of life in this specific patient population, and noted that these supplements are widely available and generally well-tolerated.