ALA and Prostate Cancer

[Guest guest]

Rodney,

I've become increasingly concerned about your propagandizing of alpha-

linolenic acid (ALA) equating to prostate cancer. ALA is an

essential fatty acid and is not to be unnecessarily feared!

First of all, the Physicians Health Study that you refer to making

the allegation [PMID: 8158682] was published way back in 1994 which

is seriously outdated.

Second, the evidence is inconclusive on the allegation, as many

studies do in fact conclude. I would further opine the allegation

has no basis in actual proof, only hypothesizing due to lack of

controlling for confounding variables or the researchers lack of

comprehensive nutritional experience to make proper conclusions. As

an example counter-point, see PMID: 12429338.

Third, it is well-known that the prostate gland starts accumulating

estrogen, starting at approximately the age of 50. In addition,

approximately 75% of all breast cancers in women are estrogen-

receptor positive. It is " normal " for the ratio of harmful-specific

estrogen to testosterone to gradually increase as men and women age,

contributing to all sorts of maladies and diseases. This hormonal

imbalance can be prevented or minimized, but not by avoiding ALA.

Fourth, if there is indeed any factual basis to the allegation, the

primary confounding variables to control for are oxidization,

mutagenicity and hydrolization. That would be an entirely different

aspect of ALA than a mere blanket demonization of the fat. Unshelled

walnuts and processed soy, canola, sunflower, safflower oils, et al.

are not in their naturally protective food matrix.

Fifth, there is the possibility that ALA consumption cascades down

into the Omega-6 pathway and into pro-inflammatory Arachidonic Acid

(AA) production, leaving very little to be converted into anti-

inflammatory GLA/EPA/DHA. Thus the problem would be with AA per se,

not ALA.

Logan

--- In , " Rodney " <perspect1111@y...

> The latest report was from the Physicians Health Study. Prostate

> cancer, as you know, is a VERY common cancer, nearly as common in

> males (both for incidence and for deaths) as breast cancer is in

> females.