Walnut lowers breast cancer risk

Tue Sep 6, 2011

A new study conducted at the Marshall University suggests that women who eat a handful of walnuts on a regular basis are at lower risk of developing breast cancer.

Researchers found that female mice fed with daily walnuts were more than two times less likely to develop breast cancer compared to the ones on a typical diet.

According to the report published in the journal, Nutrition and Cancer, the average size of breast tumors was almost smaller in walnut eating mice which developed breast cancer during the trial period.

"These reductions are particularly important when you consider that the mice were genetically programmed to develop cancer at a high rate," said lead researcher Dr. Elain Hardman.

"We were able to reduce the risk for cancer even in the presence of a preexisting genetic mutation," she added.

Genetic analysis showed that the walnut-containing diet changed the activity of multiple genes relevant to breast cancer in both mice and humans.

Previous findings had shown that walnuts contain many beneficent nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and gallic acid that are effective in lowering the risk of high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease and cancers.

"The results of this study indicate that increased consumption of walnut could be part of a healthy diet and reduce risk for cancer in future generations," Hardman said.

Although more investigations are needed to confirm the study's findings, researchers recommended that eating at least 2 ounces (57 grams) of walnuts each day can have the same preventive effect against breast cancer in humans as well.

"Dietary changes could prevent one-third to two-thirds of all cancer," added Hardman saying that a healthy diet, combined with regular exercise, a sensible weight, and avoiding alcohol and tobacco could prevent breast cancer, as well as other common cancers.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail/197730.html.