Arachidonic Acid Found in Corn Oil May Increase Prostate Cancer Risk

Scientists have found that a common omega 6 fatty acid known as arachidonic acid signals increased growth of prostate cancer cells in culture.

Arachidonic acid is found in most vegetable seed oils--especially corn oil.

Also of interest: The introduction of a non-steroidal inflammatory to the culture kept the growth in check.

This has triggered a further study with laboratory animals to see if increased amounts of arachidonic acid causes increased tumor growth in them.

Researchers with the study pointed out that an increase in the use of corn oil in the US in the last 60 years parallels an increase in prostate cancer incidence.

Recommendation:

Decrease the corn oil use, and substitute olive oil whenever possible. Taking an aspirin a day may not hurt while more research is gathered--other studies have already shown that daily NSAID use decreases risk.