title: A randomized clinical trial with two doses of a omega 3 fatty acids oral and arginine enhanced formula in clinical and biochemical parameters of head and neck cancer ambulatory patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Postsurgical patients with head and neck cancer could have a high rate of ambulatory complications. The aim was to investigate whether oral ambulatory nutrition of head and neck cancer patients with recent weight loss, using two different doses of an omega 3 fatty acids and arginine enhanced diets could improve nutritional parameters.
  
  
  METHODS
  At Hospital discharge post surgical head and neck cancer patients (n=37) were asked to consume two or three cans per day of a designed omega 3 fatty acid and arginine enhanced supplement for a twelve week period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Albumin, prealbumin, transferrin and lymphocytes levels improved in both groups. Weight, fat mass and fat free mass improved during supplementation in group II (3 bricks per day). No differences were detected in anthropometric parameters in group I. Gastrointestinal tolerance with both formulas was good, no episodes were reported. There are no differences between both formulas on postsurgical complications rates.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Omega 3 and arginine enhanced formulas improved blood protein concentrations and lymphocyte levels in ambulatory postoperative head and neck cancer patients. A high dose of arginine and omega 3 fatty acids formula improved weight, too.
authors: Institute of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Medicine School and Hospital Rio Hortega, University of Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain. dadluis@yahoo.es
authors: D A
authors: DA
authors: de Luis
authors: O
authors: O
authors: Izaola
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Cuellar
authors: M C
authors: MC
authors: Terroba
authors: B
authors: B
authors: de la Fuente
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Cabezas
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001120:Arginine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000032:analysis; D014168:Transferrin / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D012709:Serum Albumin; D014168:Transferrin; D001120:Arginine