Foreign Property News | Posted by Shwe Zin Win
A pilot study on women with breast cancer found that consuming two ounces of walnuts daily for about two weeks before surgery altered gene expression in tumors, promoting cancer cell death and inhibiting tumor growth. The walnut-eating group showed increased activity in genes related to cell adhesion and apoptosis (cell death), and decreased activity in genes related to cell proliferation and migration, compared to the control group. This suggests that regular walnut consumption could have a positive impact on breast cancer, although more research is needed to confirm these findings.
Details of the study
Participants: The pilot study involved women with breast lumps that were large enough for both biopsy and surgery.
Intervention: After a biopsy, the women were split into two groups. One group consumed about two ounces of walnuts per day until their scheduled surgery, while the other group did not.
Duration: The consumption period lasted approximately two weeks, between the initial biopsy and the surgery.
Key findings: Altered gene expression: Analyzing the tumor tissue after surgery revealed significant changes in gene expression in the walnut group.
Promoted cell death: The consumption of walnuts activated gene pathways that promote apoptosis (programmed cell death).
Inhibited growth: It also inhibited gene pathways that drive cell proliferation (growth) and migration.
Implications: These changes suggest that walnut consumption can create an environment within the tumor that is less favorable for cancer growth and survival.
Important considerations
This was a small pilot study, so more extensive research is required to confirm these results and understand their full implications.
The study focused on women who already had breast cancer. The findings do not mean walnuts are a cure, but that they may be a beneficial addition to a treatment plan and overall diet.
Walnuts should be consumed as part of a healthy overall diet. They are a good source of healthy fats and nutrients, and can be a beneficial replacement for less healthy snacks like red or processed meat.
Individuals with nut allergies should, of course, avoid walnuts.
Ref: Dietary walnut altered gene expressions related to tumor growth, survival, and metastasis in breast cancer patients: a pilot clinical trial
