Acid in olive oil may cut cancer risk

[Guest guest]

Hi All,

Oleic, that is.

C B C . C A N e w s - F u l l S t o r y :

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Acid in olive oil may cut cancer risk, researchers say

Last Updated Mon, 10 Jan 2005 18:46:21 EST

CBC News

CHICAGO - U.S. researchers say a compound in olive oil explains why

the Mediterranean diet can help protect woman from developing breast

cancer.

The Mediterranean diet is rich in fish, fruit, vegetables and olive

oil.

Studies of people from southern Europe have suggested that the diet

can reduce one's risk of death from heart disease and cancer, but

direct experiments on animals have given inconsistent results.

Scientists at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Chicago's

Northwestern University found that oleic acid, found in olive oil,

blocks the action of a cancer-causing gene found in 30 per cent of

women with breast cancer.

The gene, called Her-2/neu, is associated with highly aggressive

tumours. Oleic acid cuts the expression of the gene by nearly one-

half, the researchers say, and increases the effectiveness of

Herceptin, a drug treatment used to suppress tumour growth.

Dr. Menendez, the study's lead researcher, said the result was

encouraging, and could lead to new treatments for breast cancer, but

cautioned that lab results do not always translate into clinical

practice.

Menendez says further research into the effects of a high virgin

olive oil diet is needed.

The research appears in Monday's issue of the journal ls of

Oncology.

Cheers, Al Pater.