A Mediterranean diet rich in healthy fats may lower risk of aggressive breast cancers in post menopausal women. Researchers in Spain have discovered that a diet rich in Olive Oil, a source of Monounsaturated Fatty Acids (MUFA) and Flax Seed Oil, a source of Alpha Linoleic Acid (ALA) and Omega 3 EPA and DHA oils from salmon, cod, sardines, mackerel, walnuts and almonds may lower the incidence of breast cancer.Women eating a traditional Mediterranean Diet have a lower rate of breast cancers, including a lower rate of HER2 breast cancer.In particular researchers found that Alpha Linoleic Acid from Flax Oil turns off a cancer promoter gene called HER2. This gene codes for a very aggressive form of breast cancer. Researchers suggest that flax oil supplementation may be of value during treatment as well as to reduce incidence and recurrence of HER2 breast cancers.
In essence, this is a diet that keeps the oncogene or cancer promoter genes turned OFF. A Mediterranean diet is characterized by It does matter what we eat. Molecules from nature do talk to our genes. Your food choices can be either an OFF switch or ON switch for genes related to the development of many cancers.
Omega 3 (EPA and DHA) oils are also anti-inflammatory and this may be one reason they are considered healthy choices for heart disease, arthritis as well as cancers, all of which are driven by inflammation.
Omega 3 healthy fats are found in fish oils, walnuts, almonds, brazil nuts and Monounsaturated Oils such as Olive Oil. Omega 3 oils are also found in grass fed meats such as beef and lamb and high omega 3 egg yolks from free range chickens and chickens fed a diet rich in omega three feed.
Key components of the Mediterranean diet:
The Mediterranean diet emphasizes:
- Getting plenty of exercise
- Eating primarily plant-based foods, such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes and nuts
- Replacing butter with healthy fats such as olive oil and canola oil
- Using herbs and spices instead of salt to flavor foods
- Limiting red meat to no more than a few times a month
- Eating fish and poultry at least twice a week
- Drinking red wine in moderation (optional)
- The diet also recognizes the importance of enjoying meals with family and friends.
*Excerpted from MayoClinic.com
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Source: Fundació d’Investigació Biomédica de Girona Dr. Josep Trueta (IdIBGi), Girona, Catalonia. Spain.
Ann Oncol. 2005 Mar;16(3):359-71. Epub 2005 Jan 10.
Oleic acid, the main monounsaturated fatty acid of olive oil, suppresses Her-2/neu (erbB-2) expression
and synergistically enhances the growth inhibitory effects of trastuzumab (Herceptin) in breast cancer cells
with Her-2/neu oncogene amplification.
Menendez JA, Vellon L, Colomer R, Lupu R. Source:Department of Medicine
Breast Cancer Translational Research Laboratory, Evanston Northwestern Healthcare Research Institute
1001 University Place, Evanston, IL 60201, USA.
