Walnuts may prevent breast cancer

Walnut consumption may provide the body with essential omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants and phytosterols that reduce the risk of breast cancer, according to a study presented at the American Association for Cancer Research 100th Annual Meeting 2009.

Elaine Hardman, Ph.D., associate professor of medicine at Marshall University School of Medicine, said that while her study was done with laboratory animals rather than humans, people should heed the recommendation to eat more walnuts.

"Walnuts are better than cookies, french fries or potato chips when you need a snack," said Hardman. "We know that a healthy diet overall prevents all manner of chronic diseases."

Hardman and colleagues studied mice that were fed a diet that they estimated was the human equivalent of two ounces of walnuts per day. A separate group of mice were fed a control diet.

Standard testing showed that walnut consumption significantly decreased breast tumor incidence, the number of glands with a tumor and tumor size.

"These laboratory mice typically have 100 percent tumor incidence at five months; walnut consumption delayed those tumors by at least three weeks," said Hardman.

Molecular analysis showed that increased consumption of omega-3 fatty acids contributed to the decline in tumor incidence, but other parts of the walnut contributed as well.

"With dietary interventions you see multiple mechanisms when working with the whole food," said Hardman. "It is clear that walnuts contribute to a healthy diet that can reduce breast cancer."


(Editor compiled and published Walnuts may prevent breast cancer at HealthNewsTrack on April 21, 2009 sourced from American Association for Cancer Research - http://www.aacr.org/)

Breast cancer - recent articles and current news stories:

- Breast cancer funding restored by Komen Foundation to Planned Parenthood
- Susan G. Komen stops funding breast cancer programs at Planned Parenthood
- Additional breast surgery common after partial mastectomy
- Parabens in underarm products may lead to breast cancer in women
- Red wine drinking may reduce breast cancer risk in women

Breast cancer article/news source:

Read more health articles from American Association for Cancer Research and health articles from USA.

Breast cancer - search related terms:

Antioxidant, Breast cancer, Breast tumor, Diet, Dietary, Fatty acid, Healthy diet, Omega, Phytosterol, Walnut,
Breast cancer books,

Searched keywords: breast cancer (9),

Subscribe to Health News by Email

List health news, Health organizations, Health news world, Glossary, Best health articles, Featured     Go to top

The information provided on Health Newstrack is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between a patient/site visitor and his/her physician. We comply with the HONcode principles for trustworthy health information, and Health News Track is hon code accredited, verify here.
About us, Site map Privacy policy, Disclaimer
© 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 HealthNewsTrack.com
5.82