Nieuwenhuis, I., P.A. van den Brandt, 2019. Nut and peanut butter consumption and the risk of lung cancer and its subtypes: A prospective cohort study. Lung Cancer. 128:57-66.
Objectives: Nut consumption has been associated with reduced cancer-related mortality, but evidence for a relation between nut intake and lung cancer risk is limited. We investigated the association between total nut, tree nut, peanut, and peanut butter intake and the risk of lung cancer and its subtypes in the Netherlands Cohort Study. Materials and Methods: In 1986, dietary and lifestyle habits of 120,852 participants, aged 55–69 years, were measured with a questionnaire. After 20.3 years of follow-up, 3720 subcohort members and 2861 lung cancer cases were included in multivariable case-cohort analyses. Results: Total nut intake was not significantly associated with total lung cancer risk in men or women. For small cell carcinoma, a significant inverse association with total nut intake was observed in men after controlling for detailed smoking habits (HR (95%CI) for 10+ g/day vs. non-consumers: 0.62 (0.43-0.89), p-trend: 0.024). Inverse relations with small cell carcinoma were also found for tree nut and peanut intake in men in continuous analyses (HR (95%CI) per 5g/day increment: 0.70 (0.53-0.93) and 0.93 (0.88-0.98), respectively). For the other lung cancer subtypes, no significant associations were seen in men. Nut intake was not related to the risk of lung cancer subtypes in women, and no associations were found for peanut butter in both sexes. Conclusion: Increased nut intake might contribute to the prevention of small cell carcinoma in men. No significant associations were found in men for the other subtypes or total lung cancer, in women, or for peanut butter intake.
Research Area: Cancer
The effect of nut consumption on cancer is a relatively new area of research. Tree nuts contain a wide range of nutrients with recognized benefits to human health including unsaturated fats, protein, vitamins (i.e., vitamin E, folate and niacin), minerals (i.e., magnesium, calcium and potassium) and phytochemicals—all of which may offer anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
In a recent study, researchers concluded that there was an inverse association of dietary nut consumption with cancer risk, especially for cancers of the digestive system[i]. A number of studies have been conducted to date looking at the effect of nuts on colorectal cancer, which affects both men and women, and is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States and third most common cancer worldwide. In one study, researchers found an association between high frequency of nut consumption and reduced risk of colorectal cancer[ii]. In another study[iii], colon cancer patients who consumed nuts had a significant decrease in cancer recurrence and death.
While nut consumption is associated with reduced total and certain cause-specific mortality in general populations, its association with cancer outcomes among long-term breast cancer survivors remains unknown. Researchers in one study[IV] examined the associations of nut consumption (including tree nuts and peanuts) at 5-years postdiagnosis, with overall survival and disease-free survival among 3,449 long-term breast cancer survivors from the Shanghai Breast Cancer Survival Study. The data showed that nut consumption was associated with better survival, particularly disease-free survival, among long-term breast cancer survivors.
At Harvard, researchers looked at the association between nut consumption and prostate cancer risk and mortality among 47,299 men. While nut consumption was not associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer, men who had prostate cancer and consumed tree nuts five or more times per week after diagnosis, had a significant 34 percent lower risk of overall mortality than those who consumed nuts less than once per month[iv].
While more research on tree nuts and cancer is needed, the research that has been done to date is very promising.
[i]Long, J., Z. Ji, P. Yuan, T. Long, K. Liu, J. Li, L. Cheng, 2020. Nut consumption and risk of cancer: A meta-analysis of prospective studies. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 29(3):565-573.
[ii] Lee, J., A. Shin, J.H. Oh, J. Kim, 2018. The relationship between nut intake and risk of colorectal cancer: a case control study. Nutrition Journal. 17:37 https://doi.org/10.1186/s12937-018-0345-y.
[iii] Fadelu, T., S. Zhang, D. Niedzwiecki, X. Ye, L.B. Saltz, R.J. Mayer, R.B. Mowat, R. Whittom, A. Hantel, A.B. Benson, D.M. Atienza, M. Messino, H.L. Kindler, A. Venook, S. Ogino, K. Ng, K. Wu, W. Willett, E. Giovannucci, J. Meyerhardt, Y. Bao, C.S. Fuchs, 2018. Nut consumption and survival in patients with stage III colon cancer: results from CALGB 89803 (Alliance). J Clin Oncol. 36(11):1112-1120.
[iv] Cong, W., K. Gu, F. Wang, H. Cai, W. Zheng, P. Bao, X.-O. Shu, 2022. Nut consumption in association with overall mortality and recurrence/disease-specific mortality among long-term breast cancer survivors. International Journal of Cancer.doi.org/10.1002/ijc.33824.
[v]Wang, W., M. Yang, S.A. Kenfield, F.B. Hu, M.J. Stampfer, W.C. Willett, C.S. Fuchs, E.L. Giovannucci, Y. Bao, 2016. Nut consumption and prostate cancer risk and mortality. Br J Cancer. 115(3):371-374.
Nut Consumption and Survival in Patients With Stage III Colon Cancer: Results From CALGB 89803 (Alliance).
Fadelu, T., S. Zhang, D. Niedzwiecki, X. Ye, L.B. Saltz, R.J. Mayer, R.B. Mowat, R. Whittom, A. Hantel, A.B. Benson, D.M. Atienza, M. Messino, H.L. Kindler, A. Venook, S. Ogino, K. Ng, K. Wu, W. Willett, E. Giovannucci, J. Meyerhardt, Y. Bao, C.S. Fuchs, 2018. Nut Consumption and Survival in Patients With Stage III Colon Cancer: Results From CALGB 89803 (Alliance). J Clin Oncol. 36(11):1112-1120.
Purpose: Observational studies have reported increased colon cancer recurrence and mortality in patients with states of hyperinsulinemia, including type 2 diabetes, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and high glycemic load diet. Nut intake has been associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and insulin resistance. However, the effect of nut intake on colon cancer recurrence and survival is not known. Patients and Methods: We conducted a prospective, observational study of 826 eligible patients with stage III colon cancer who reported dietary intake on food frequency questionnaires while enrolled onto a randomized adjuvant chemotherapy trial. Using Cox proportional hazards regression, we assessed associations of nut intake with cancer recurrence and mortality. Results: After a median follow-up of 6.5 years, compared with patients who abstained from nuts, individuals who consumed two or more servings of nuts per week experienced an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for disease-free survival of 0.58 (95% CI, 0.37 to 0.92; Ptrend = .03) and an HR for overall survival of 0.43 (95% CI, 0.25 to 0.74; Ptrend = .01). In subgroup analysis, the apparent benefit was confined to tree nut intake (HR for disease-free survival, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.34 to 0.85; Ptrend = .04; and HR for overall survival, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.27 to 0.82; Ptrend = .04). The association of total nut intake with improved outcomes was maintained across other known or suspected risk factors for cancer recurrence and mortality. Conclusion: Diets with a higher consumption of nuts may be associated with a significantly reduced incidence of cancer recurrence and death in patients with stage III colon cancer.
Role of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in preventing gastrointestinal cancers: current status and future perspectives.
Lee, H.J., Y.M. Han, J.M. An, E.A. Kang, Y.J. Park, J.Y. Cha, K.B. Hahm, 2018. Role of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in preventing gastrointestinal cancers: current status and future perspectives. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther. 17:1-15.
Although inflammation is defensive and healing process that maintains organ homeostasis, unresolved inflammation can lead to diseases. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), especially n-6 PUFAs abundant in Western diet, are precursors of pro-inflammatory mediators, whereas n-3 PUFAs possess anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, interest in the cancer-preventive effect of n-3 PUFAs is increasing. Areas covered: We have observed significant reductions of gastrointestinal tumorigenesis in the Fat-1 transgenic mouse as evidenced that the decrease in Helicobacter pylori-infected gastric tumorigenesis, colon, biliary, and pancreatic cancer was seen in Fat-1 mice producing n-3 PUFAs. However, despite many studies showing benefits, evidence-based medicine regarding molecular pathology, epidemiology, and clinical achievement of cancer prevention of n-3 PUFAs are still limited. Expert commentary: Primary deficiency of eicosapentaenoic acids and docosahexaenoic acids in Western diets can explain the risk of cancer development and the importance of n-3/n-6 PUFA ratio in reducing cancer risk. Alteration of cell membrane composition during carcinogenesis is particularly important, due to increased rate of lipid/cholesterol synthesis in cancerous tissues. Here, we discuss that direct incorporation of n-3 PUFAs in the cell membrane corrects abnormal cellular proliferation and decreases inflammation-associated carcinogenesis. This is exemplified by cancer-preventive effects of n-3 PUFAs as fat sources for gastrointestinal cancers.
Walnut phenolic extract inhibits nuclear factor kappaB signaling in intestinal epithelial cells, and ameliorates experimental colitis and colitis-associated colon cancer in mice.
Koh, S.J., Y.I. Choi, Y. Kim, Y.S. Kim, S.W. Choi, J.W. Kim, B.G. Kim, K.L. Lee, 2018. Walnut phenolic extract inhibits nuclear factor kappaB signaling in intestinal epithelial cells, and ameliorates experimental colitis and colitis-associated colon cancer in mice. Eur J Nutr. doi: 10.1007/s00394-018-1704-3.
PURPOSE: Walnuts (Juglans regia) are known to have anti-cancer and immunomodulatory effects. However, little information is available on the effects of walnut phenolic extract (WPE) on intestinal inflammation and colitis-associated colon cancer. METHODS: COLO205 cells were pretreated with WPE and then stimulated with tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. In the acute colitis model, wild type mice (C57BL/6) were administered 4% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) for 5 days. In the chronic colitis model, interleukin (IL)-10-/- mice were administered with either the vehicle or WPE (20 mg/kg) by oral gavage daily for 2 weeks. In an inflammation-associated tumor model, wild type mice were administered a single intraperitoneal injection of azoxymethane followed by three cycles of 2% DSS for 5 days and 2 weeks of free water consumption. RESULTS: WPE significantly inhibited IL-8 and IL-1α expression in COLO205 cells. WPE attenuated both the TNF-α-induced IκB phosphorylation/degradation and NF-κB DNA binding activity. The administration of oral WPE significantly reduced the severity of colitis in both acute and chronic colitis models, including the IL-10-/- mice. In immunohistochemical staining, WPE attenuated NF-κB signaling in the colons of both colitis models. Finally, WPE also significantly reduced tumor development in a murine model of colitis-associated colon cancer (CAC). CONCLUSIONS: WPE ameliorates acute and chronic colitis and CAC in mice, suggesting that WPE may have potentials for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.