Walnuts Lower Breast Cancer Risk
Reported April 24, 2009
(Ivanhoe Newswire) — Next time you get a snack attack, reach for a handful of walnuts instead of chips or cookies and you could be reducing your risk of developing breast cancer.
A new study found eating walnuts provides the body with essential omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants and phytosterols, which could prevent breast cancer.
In lab studies, mice that ate the human equivalent of two ounces of walnuts per day had significantly lower rates of breast cancer, fewer glands with a tumor and small tumor sizes.
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, researchers said.
The scientists said the study shows that an overall healthy diet can prevent all manners of chronic diseases, such as cancer.
SOURCE: Study presented at the American Association for Cancer Research 100th Annual Meeting, 2009