Study on Natural Cancer Protection Everyday nuts act actively against colon cancer

Protective effect of nuts in cancer confirmed
Scientific research has shown that nuts can protect against serious diseases. Their colorectal cancer protective effect has also been suggested in numerous studies. German researchers have now discovered that nuts can reduce the growth of cancer cells in the gut.

Nuts protect against deadly diseases
Nuts are energetic and very healthy. For example, studies have shown that walnuts lower LDL cholesterol levels, nuts can reduce diabetes risk, increase survival in prostate cancer, and generally lower the risk of death. Recent studies by nutritionists at the Friedrich Schiller University of Jena show that nuts can reduce the growth of cancer cells in the gut.

Nuts can reduce the growth of cancer cells in the gut, according to a recent study. Previous studies have shown that nuts can help against serious diseases. (Image: karepa / fotolia.com)

Full of healthy ingredients
"We've known for a long time that nuts are packed with ingredients that are good for the heart, circulatory system that protects against obesity or diabetes," Dr. Wiebke Schlörmann from the Institute of Nutritional Sciences of the Friedrich Schiller University Jena in a statement from the university.

According to the scientist, her colorectal cancer protective effect has already been shown in numerous studies. "What we did not know in detail yet is what the protective effect of nuts is based on."

The researchers from Jena could now give specific answers to this question. In the journal "Molecular Carcinogenesis" they report on their results, which shed light on the molecular mechanisms of this protective effect.

Body's defense is activated
Among other things, the health-promoting effect of nuts is based on the fact that the body's own defense is activated to detoxify reactive oxygen species.

Such substances, which are produced for example by ultraviolet radiation or various chemicals, can cause cell damage that leads to the onset of cancer.

"However, the body has a whole series of protective mechanisms that make reactive oxygen species harmless," Dr. Schlör man. These are stimulated by nuts and their ingredients, as the Jena nutritionists have now shown.

Effect of five nut varieties examined
According to the researchers, the researchers investigated the effect of a total of five different nut varieties: macadamia, hazelnut, walnut, almonds and pistachios.

The nuts have been artificially "digested" in the test tube. The resulting digestive products were subsequently tested for their activity on cell lines.

It was found that, for example, the activity of the protective enzymes catalase and superoxide dismutase increases in the treated cells. In addition, the so-called programmed cell death is induced by the digestion products in the treated cancer cells.

If the protective effect is impaired by roasting?
"We were able to demonstrate this effect in all nut varieties examined," said study leader Prof. Dr. med. Michael Glei.

The scientists from Jena want to find out in a next step, whether this protective effect is impaired by the roasting of the nuts.

Since most of the examined nuts are consumed mainly roasted, it may be possible to derive a corresponding dietary recommendation. (Ad)