An abundant source of antioxidants, walnuts are a good source of protein, fiber, and alpha linoleic acid – a plant-based omega-3 fatty acid. Paul Andrew Davis, from the University of California Davis (California, USA), and colleagues fed mice either whole walnuts (equivalent of 2.6 ounces for humans), walnut oil or a walnut-like fat for 18 weeks. Both the walnuts and walnut oil slowed prostate cancer growth in mice. Notably, walnuts and walnut oil increased MSMB mRNa a tumor suppressor and decreased COX-2 mRNA, both reported to inhibit prostate tumor growth. In addition, both walnuts and walnut oil reduced cholesterol and increased insulin sensitivity.
Cancer Protective Effects of Walnuts
Walnuts slow prostate cancer growth, and reduce prostate tumor size, in a lab animal model.
Hyunsook Kim, Wallace Yokoyama, Paul Andrew Davis. “TRAMP Prostate Tumor Growth Is Slowed by Walnut Diets Through Altered IGF-1 Levels, Energy Pathways, and Cholesterol Metabolism.” Journal of Medicinal Food. December 2014, 17(12): 1281-1286.
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