A group of researchers, led by W. Elaine Hardman, PhD – Associate Professor of Biochemistry at Marshall University School of Medicine, has concluded that eating walnuts may reduce the development of breast cancer tumors.
Laboratory mice were programmed to develop tumors within six months. Divided into two groups, one group was given an ounce of walnuts (about a handful) twice daily, the other group none.
The mice eating walnuts developed tumors three weeks later than those without. This would equal a 9 month delay of incidence in humans. Additionally, the tumors in those mice fed walnuts grew 50% more slowly than those not fed the nuts. The tumors were also smaller and fewer in number.
Molecular analysis showed the omega-3 fatty acids found in walnuts to have an effect. Perhaps more importantly, phytosterols in the nuts bind to estrogen receptors. These receptors are known to fuel tumors. Binding them prevent this. Lastly, walnuts are high in antioxidants which may have additional cancer fighting effects.
The results were presented at the 100th annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR).
Beyond the breast cancer study, additional research is being done for the effect of walnuts on prostate cancer.
