Say Nuts to Lung Cancer

According to research presented at the American Association for Cancer Research Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research Conference in December 2009, a diet that includes a daily intake of pistachios may help reduce the risk of lung and other cancers.

According to Ladia M. Hernandez, MS, RD, LD, senior research dietitian in the department of epidemiology at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center and a doctoral candidate at Texas Women’s University – Houston Center, “It is known that vitamin E provides a degree of protection against certain forms of cancer. Higher intakes of gamma-tocopherol, which is a form of vitamin E, may reduce the risk of lung cancer.”

Pistachios, she added, are a good source of gamma-tocopherol and are also known to lower cholesterols. “Pistachios are one of those ‘good-for-you’ nuts, and 2 ounces per day could be incorporated into dietary strategies designed to reduce the risk of lung cancer without significant changes in body mass index,” she said.