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Anti Cancer Nuts

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Nearly all nuts are a great health food. They are an excellent source of protein. A handful of nuts will energize you and are power-packed with nutrients. Nuts in general, and peanuts in particular, are high in the bioflavonoid ‘resveratrol’. This bioflavonoid has a number of beneficial health effects, such as anti-cancer, antiviral, anti-aging, and is believed to help prevent the formation of arterial plaques. Adding nuts to a balanced, healthful diet can aid in the prevention of heart disease. 22

In the early nineties a large population study made the surprising finding that eating a portion of nuts more than once a week appeared to offer protection against heart attack and stroke - and the more frequently nuts were consumed the greater the protection. Other studies consistently confirmed these early findings and found that nuts had a positive effect on heart health in men, women, the elderly and those with or without high blood pressure.1 As nuts are a high fat food (about 80% of calories in nuts come from fat) this was an intriguing finding and scientists set out to discover what constituents of nuts might be responsible, and how they exert their beneficial effects in the body. 9

A diet rich in such legumes as lentils, peas and beans, and in wheat bran and nuts could help prevent cancer, the findings suggest. Moreover, the discovery of the inhibitor may lead to new anti-cancer therapies. 5

The antioxidant component in foods is getting special attention. As reported by author Jean Carper in her fascinating bestsellers, The Food Pharmacy and The Food Pharmacy Guide to Good Eating, scientists suspect antioxidants are the reason that fruits, vegetables, legumes, grains and nuts promote health and help prevent diseases such as cancer, heart disease, lung disease and autoimmune diseases including arthritis and Parkinson’s disease. 47

Breast Cancer: In Japan, people consume Tofu, a soya product. It contains isoflavones that moderate the estrogen receptors in the body such as breast tissue. The incidence of breast cancer is low in Japan when compared to Western women; only 1/4th of the mortality rate of Western women. 4

The National Cancer Institute has identified about 35 plant foods that possess cancer-protective properties. The foods and herbs with the highest anticancer activity include garlic, soybeans, cabbage, ginger, licorice root, and the umbelliferous vegetables (including carrots, celery, coriander, parsley, and parsnips). Additional foods with cancer-protective activity include onions, flax, citrus, turmeric, cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and cauliflower), tomatoes and sweet peppers, brown rice, whole wheat, oats, barley, various herbs (such as mints, rosemary, thyme, oregano, sage and basil), cucumber, cantaloupe and berries. 42

These foods contain substantial quantities of the phytonutrients called isothiocyanates, specifically two isothiocyanates called sulforaphane and indole-3-carbinol. Research indicates that sulforaphane has the ability to increase the capacity of the liver to detoxify harmful, cancer-causing compounds. A study published in the August 2003 issue of the International Journal of Cancer suggests that eating lots of cruciferous vegetables may provide a significant survival advantage for women diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Cruciferous vegetables are also believed to help prevent cataracts and age-related macular degeneration, two debilitating diseases that can lead to vision impairment and blindness. These vegetables also contain a vast array of the vitamins and minerals that are necessary for optimal health. 37

The many flavonoids in fruit, vegetables, nuts and grains have extensive biological properties that promote human health and help reduce the risk of disease. Flavonoids act as antioxidants; protect cholesterol from oxidation to the unsafe cholesterol oxides; inhibit the formation of blood clots; and have anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor action. One study found that men with the highest consumption of flavonoids had 60 percent less mortality from heart disease and 70 percent lower risk of stroke than the low flavonoid consumers. 42

In addition to their monounsaturated fat content, peanuts feature an array of other nutrients that, in numerous studies, have been shown to promote heart health. Peanuts are good sources of vitamin E, niacin, folate, protein and manganese. In addition, peanuts provide resveratrol, the phenolic antioxidant also found in red grapes and red wine that is thought to be responsible for the French paradox: the fact that in France, people consume a diet that is not low in fat, but have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease compared to the U.S. With all of the important nutrients provided by nuts like peanuts, it is no wonder that numerous research studies, including the Nurses’ Health Study that involved over 86,000 women, have found that frequent nut consumption is related to reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. 31

Nuts and beans have previously been shown to contain other anti-cancer compounds. For example, nuts are rich in resveratrol that is a powerful inhibitor of cancer cells. There could therefore be a synergy between multiple anti-cancer compounds in such foods. 2

Nuts on a Diet? Even calorie counters shouldn’t be so quick to nix nuts. Research shows nut eaters are thinner and better able to stick to a diet than nut shunners, perhaps because nuts help curb appetite. In a recent Harvard study, a handful of nuts a day aided the resolve of dieters to stick with their low-calorie eating plan, by helping cut between-meal cravings. 10

Consuming a handful of mixed nuts a few times a week is good for your health, however there are a few caveats. As nuts are high in calories they should be used to replace something less wholesome, not simply added on top. It is also best to consume nuts in their natural raw state. Salted varieties should be eaten in moderation, particularly if you need to watch your salt intake. Finally some people are allergic to tree nuts (Brazil nuts, almonds, hazelnuts etc) or peanuts* (groundnuts). As nut allergy can result in anaphylactic shock, the offending nuts, and all foods containing any trace of them, must be avoided. 9

It was observed that lung cancer risk was significantly lower in subjects who consumed a diet high in a variety of carotenoids. This was especially true with non-smokers who had 63% less risk. 4

The key to deriving the most heart-healthy benefits from nuts is to create ways to incorporate a variety of nuts into a low-fat diet. Substitute nuts for other high calorie, often less nutritious, foods instead of just adding additional calories. Eating a variety of nuts is a sure way to add many health benefits to your diet. 22

Stomach Cancer: Nitrates in food and other preservatives added to food including meat are converted into ‘nitrites’ in the human stomach. The nitrites undergo nitrosation to form ‘nitrosamines’ and ‘nitrosamides’. This increases the risk of stomach cancer in people eating vegetables from nitrate rich soil. 4

The Panacea offers these health-extracts to help people investigate health-related subjects in greater depth using the references given in each paragraph. Kindly note that these are current extracts from the web, meant for research, and that these are not meant to be medical advise. For all your health-related needs you must consult trained and licensed personnel.

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