A new study has dieticians questioning what their research when it comes to omega-3 fatty acids.

It seems like trans fats may protect against prostate tumors while omega-3 fatty acids have links to aggressive prostate cancers. Scientists from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center collected data from 1994 to 2003, and found that high levels of omega-3 fatty acids were associated with a 2.5-times increased risk of high-grade tumors in men over the age of 55. These cancers grow faster and are more likely to spread.

Men who had the highest levels of trans fatty acids, or what we’ve always regarded as “bad” fat, had about half the risk of prostate cancer of those with lower levels.

Researchers were sure to include that people should not increase their consumption of trans fats based on the results of this study. The study can be found in the American Journal of Epidemiology.

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