A STUDY has uncovered ‘healthy’ foods that could promote the growth of tumours.
Eggs, nuts and tofu are three of many foods that contain essential omega-6 fatty acids – which are crucial for many bodily functions, including brain function, bone health, and normal growth and development.
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Eggs and tofu are among many foods that contain omega-6 fatty acidsCredit: Getty
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The study found linoleic acid fuelled tumour growth in cases of aggressive breast cancerCredit: Getty
While it’s important to include omega-6 fatty acids in your diet because your body cannot produce them on its own, experts say they should only be consumed in moderation.
They also urge people focus on taking in another essential fatty acid, omega-3, which can be found in fish like salmon, mackerel and sardines.
This is because while both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are both essential for health, omega-3s are often considered more important due to their anti-inflammatory properties and potential benefits for heart, brain, and eye health.
Omega-6s are more readily available in Western diets and have been linked to inflammation in studies.
Now, researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine have suggested another reason why omega-6s shouldn’t be consumed in high amounts – because they could help cancer cells grow and multiply.
As part of their study, they gave mice breast cancer cells and fed one group safflower oil, which is high in linoleic acid (a crucial omega-6 fatty acid).
The mice who were fed the oil had faster growing tumours than the placebo group that didn’t consume any linoleic acid.
They found linoleic acid can activate mTORC1, which is considered the “control centre” in cells which decides whether they grow, divide or make proteins.
In cases of aggressive breast cancer, excess linoleic acid overstimulates mTORC1, fuelling tumour growth.
Dr John Blenis, the study’s senior author and a cancer researcher at Weill Cornell Medicine, said: “We now know that linoleic acid feeds cancer cell growth in a very specific way.
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“This discovery helps clarify the relationship between dietary fats and cancer, and sheds light on how to define which patients might benefit the most from specific nutritional recommendations in a personalised manner.”
Excess linoleic acid is delivered throughout the body by a protein known as FABP5, which overstimulates mTORC1, promoting tumour growth.
The researchers measured levels of FABP5 across different types of cancer before deciding to test linoleic acid’s impact on triple-negative breast cancer cells, as they produce much higher levels of FABP5 than other types of cancer.
Dr Nikos Koundouros, the study’s first author, said: “There may be a broader role for FABP5-mTORC1 signalling in other cancer types and even in common chronic diseases such as obesity and diabetes.”
The study marks the first time a precise biological mechanism has been shown to connect linoleic acid from food to cancer growth.
More foods that contain linoleic acid…
Vegetable oils:
Sunflower oil, safflower oil, soybean oil, corn oil, rapeseed oil, cottonseed oil, and avocado oil.
Nuts and seds:
Walnuts, brazil nuts, sunflower seeds, chia seeds, hemp seeds, pecans, pine nuts, cashews, pistachios, flaxseeds, and pumpkin seeds.
Animal products:
Eggs, beef, chicken, lamb, milk, and cheese.
Other foods:
Tofu, avocado, corn kernels, peanut butter, and oily fish.
By identifying a pathway that’s active only in specific aggressive cancers, the research team revealed diet can directly influence tumour growth, but only when conditions are right.
In this case, when FABP5/mTORC1 is present.
Dr Blenis added: “There is a real opportunity here to tailor nutrition in a smarter way.
“We’ve gone beyond population-level guesses and into the biology of each patient’s disease.”
Why you need omega 6…
OMEGA-6s, like omega-3s, are essential fatty acids, meaning your body cannot produce them and you must obtain them through your diet.
They are crucial for maintaining healthy cell structure and function, playing a role in cell signalling and energy production.
They contribute to normal brain function and behaviour, and are important for brain development, especially in children.
They play a role in regulating the immune system and promoting immune health.
And they help with blood clotting, which is important for wound healing.
Some research suggests that omega-6s may help lower cholesterol, which can reduce the risk of heart disease, while others suggest it can promote inflammation.
A healthy balance with omega-3s is important for overall health.