Spending time in the sun, exercising and eating a seafood-rich diet could drastically cut your risk of developing cancer.
In 2022, researchers from the University of Zurich discovered that a combination of Vitamin D, absorbed either from the sun or supplements, omega-3s, found in fish and nuts, and exercise can reduce overall cancer risk by 61 percent in people 70 and older.
The combination of all three was found to prevent the mutation of normal cells into cancer cells, improve immune function and decrease inflammation, all factors that can slash cancer risk.
While the study is several years old, it is gaining fresh attention after being referenced by Dr Paul Marik, a controversial physician who had his medical certification revoked for promoting ivermectin as a treatment for long Covid.
The physician suggested study didn’t gain widespread acclaim because the recommendations are cheap and easy to implement compared to high-cost treatments like chemotherapy and radiation.
He claimed the regimen, therefore, doesn’t serve the interests of ‘Big Pharma’ to maximize profits.
Spending some time in the sun, regular exercise and a fish-dominated diet may be all you need to reduce your chance of developing cancer
In an interview with American Thought Leaders, a podcast hosted by The Epoch Times Senior Editor Jan Jekielek, Dr Marik claimed: ‘Obviously, cancer is a big business, and it’s highly profitable.
‘The average cost of chemotherapy for a patient is around $100,000.
‘Big pharma makes a lot of money, and the oncologists in this country make a lot of money.
‘The drugs we are talking about are cheap, off-patent drugs, so you can understand this narrative.’
He continued: ‘It goes against Big Pharma and it goes against traditional medicine. It is a tragedy because these are very effective therapies that can really improve the patient’s outcome.’
Dr Marik, however, did not discourage standard treatments and said ‘some of these [treatments] can be used in conjunction with standard chemotherapy.’
A month’s worth of vitamin D supplements, depending on the dosage, can range from around $5 to $25 while omega-3 capsules cost about $20 to $40.
Vitamin D is also naturally found in fatty fish like salmon and sardines, egg yolks, and fortified dairy, while fatty fish, edadame, and nuts all contain omega-3s.
On the other hand, a month’s worth of chemotherapy drugs can range dramatically in price – from $1,000 to more than $12,000, depending on the type and insurance coverage.
However, once someone is diagnosed with cancer, there is little evidence that supplements alone can help and traditional pharmaceutical therapies are lifesaving.
Overall, the US oncology market reached $145.5 billion last year and is projected for a significant increase to $417 billion by 2034.
Factors such as a rising prevalence of cancer, advancements in precision medicine and increased demand for targeted therapies and immunotherapies are expected to boost the market in the next decade.
American pharmaceutical company Merck & Co.’s earned about $64.2 billion last year – majorly through sales of chemotherapy drug Keytruda
Analysis of blood samples revealed that during this time, omega-3 consumption ‘turned back the clock’ on biological age by up to four months
American pharmaceutical company Merck & Co.’s earned about $64.2 billion – majorly through sales of Keytruda, a chemotherapy treatment for various cancers like melanoma, lung cancer and Hodgkin lymphoma.
Their oncology division made about $2 billion in sales last year.
While Pfizer brought in $64 billion last year which included sales of Xtandi – an oral medication used to treat certain types of advanced prostate cancer. Overall, their oncology department earned about $25 billion in 2024.
Established giants such as Johnson & Johnson also made about $88 billion in 2024 – mostly from sales of its multiple myeloma treatment Darzalex.
The company’s oncology sector generated $21 billion in revenue last year.
However, the University of Zurich study, published in Frontiers in Aging, found that it is possible to keep cancer from developing in the first place with simple lifestyle changes and avoid needing to spend thousands of dollars on medications.
The researchers from Zurich recruited 777 participants 70 years and older and split them into different treatment groups.
Some took a vitamin D tablet per day, some took a 1g tablet of omega-3 per day, some participated in a 30-minute home exercise program three times a week, and some did a combination over the course of three years.
Fatty acids and omega-3 molecules in fish can reduce inflammation in the body help maintain blood vessels
Analysis of blood samples revealed that during this time, omega-3 consumption ‘turned back the clock’ on biological age by up to four months.
Professor Heike Bischoff-Ferrari, one of the study’s authors, said at the time: ‘This is the first randomized controlled trial to show that the combination daily vitamin D3, supplemental marine omega-3s, and a simple home exercise program may be effective in the prevention of invasive cancer.
‘Our results, although based on multiple comparisons and requiring replication, may prove to be beneficial for reducing the burden of cancer.’
Combining omega-3, a vitamin D supplement and exercise was found to have a slightly stronger effect.
The researchers also found these three interventions together had the biggest impact on lowering cancer risk.
Professor Bischoff-Ferrari added: ‘One of the most critical questions in the field of rejuvenation is whether a treatment exists that can effectively rejuvenate humans.
‘Given the well-documented health benefits of omega-3, we explored whether it also influences the most reliable molecular markers of biological age – epigenetic clocks.
‘Slowing biological aging even to a small extent of three to four months across three years – as we saw in our study – is a good thing as, if sustained, it may have relevant effects on population health.
‘In the same trial, omega-3 reduced falls by 11 percent and infections by 13 percent, and in combination with vitamin D and exercise it reduced cancer risk by 61 percent and frailty by 39 percent.’
Pictured: Professor Heike Bischoff-Ferrari, one of the 2022 study’s authors
Pictured: Dr Paul Marik, a controversial physician who had his medical certification revoked for promoting ivermectin as a treatment for long Covid
The scientists noted that Vitamin D absorbed into the body through sunlight and supplements can help stave off tumors by regulating several genes that are responsible for cell reproduction and division – preventing the rapid multiplication of cancerous cells.
Similarly, the researchers theorized that high levels omega-3, found mostly in fish and nuts, as well as exercise can suppress inflammation, malignant cell reproduction and angiogenesis.
Angiogenesis is a process by which new blood vessels form from existing ones is crucial for tumor growth and spread because it allows tumors to access oxygen and nutrients
Inflammation may trigger cancer by damaging DNA, past studies have noted.
The inflammatory process produces molecules called cytokines, which stimulate the growth of blood vessels that ‘feed’ tumors.
However, fatty acids and omega-3 molecules can reduce inflammation in the body and help maintain blood vessels.
