"A new animal study from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Harvard Medical School led by Dr. Christos Mantzoros indicates that a diet containing walnuts may slow colorectal tumor growth by causing beneficial changes in cancer genes.  This is the first study that evaluates whether walnut consumption can cause changes to microribonucleic acids miRNA the nucleotides that are involved in altering gene expression. miRNA are the focus of much research in the growing field of epigenetics or the study of how genes may be changed by environmental factors. Our research demonstrates that a walnut diet causes significant changes in the expression profile of miRNAs in localized colorectal cancer tissue and that a walnut diet incorporates protective fatty acids in the colonic tumor either through its direct effects or through additive or synergistic effects of multiple other compounds present in walnuts said Dr. Mantzoros. While future studies are needed were optimistic of the role of miRNAs as biomarkers of disease and prognosis and may demonstrate a potential therapeutic target for colorectal cancer treatment. Researchers conducted the randomized study with two groups of mice. One group was fed the equivalent of two servings  ounces per day of walnuts for humans while the second group received a similar control diet with no walnuts. After  days researchers found that in walnutfed mice key miRNA that may affect cancer cell inflammation vascularization blood supply and proliferation were positively engaged.  The tumors of mice fed the walnutcontaining diet were found to have  times the amount of total omega fatty acids including plantbased alphalinolenic acid ALA in the tissue compared to the mice fed the control diet. The study results found that a smaller tumor size was associated with greater percentage of omegas in tumor tissues suggesting that ALA may provide a protective benefit. Tumor growth rate was also significantly slower in the walnut group compared to the control group. As this study was conducted on animals results cannot yet be implied for humans. ALA is an essential fatty acid critical to various body processes and is known to reduce inflammation. Walnuts are the only nut that contain a significant source of alphalinolenic acid ALA . grams per ounce. Walnuts also contain a variety of antioxidants . mmolounce and numerous vitamins and minerals.  Colorectal cancer is the third most common type of cancer worldwide and is second to only lung cancer as the leading cause of death in Western Countries. Diet has been shown to be a modifiable risk factor in preventing many types of cancer including colorectal cancer. It is estimated that  percent of colorectal cancer in men and  percent in women can be prevented by diet and other lifestyle changes.  An article detailing these findings Dietary Walnut Suppression of Colorectal Cancer in mice mediation by miRNA patterns and fatty acid incorporation has been published in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry. This study was supported from a grant by the American Institute for Cancer Research and the California Walnut Commission.  About California Walnut Commission The California Walnut Commission established in  is funded by mandatory assessments of the growers. The Commission is an agency of the State of California that works in concurrence with the Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture CDFA. The CWC is mainly involved in health research and export market development activities. For more industry information health research and recipe ideas visit . NonDiscrimination Statement The California Walnut Commission CWC prohibits discrimination in all programs and activities on the basis of race color national origin age disability sex marital status familial status parental status religion sexual orientation genetic information political beliefs reprisal or because all or part of an individuals income is derived from any public assistance programs. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information Braille large print audiotape etc. should contact the CWC offices at  . To file a complaint of discrimination write to USDA Director Office of Civil Rights  Independence Avenue S.W. Washington D.C.  or call   voice or   TDD. CWC is an equal opportunity employer and provider. The California Walnut Commission offices are located at  Parkshore Dr. Ste.  Folsom CA  Resources . World cancer research fundamerican institute for cancer research. Food nutrition physical activity and the prevention of cancer A globalperspective. AICR . . Platz EA Willett WC Colditz GA et al. Proportion of colon cancer risk that might be preventable in a cohort of middleaged us men. Cancer Causes Control.  . . Tsoukas MA Ko BJ Witte TR Dincer F Hardman WE Mantzoros CS. Dietary walnut suppression of colorectal cancer in mice Mediation by miRNA patterns and fatty acid incorporation. J Nutr Biochem.  Apr . Epub ahead of print"