Is fish oil a viable alternative to Vioxx?
Most researchers believe that inflammation plays a critical role in the process that transforms benign bowel and prostate growths in to killer cancers. This is why research results indicate that two kinds of anti-inflammatory drugsaspirin and so-called COX-2 inhibitors (e.g., Vioxx and Celebrex)seem to help prevent both kinds of cancer. Both of these two classes of drugs work their inflammation-related anti-cancer effects by impairing the functioning of one or more of two key, pro-inflammatory metabolic proteins called the COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes. Aspirin is believed to primarily block the COX-1 enzyme, while Vioxx, Celebrex, and related drugs block the COX-2 enzyme. In addition to dietary changes designed to reduce inflammationmore fish and vegetables, less red meatit is now believed that blocking the COX-2 enzyme may be one of the most effective ways to prevent colorectal and prostate cancers. Accordingly, doctors have been looking to COX-2 inhibitors to help in the preventive fight.