Cancer is a major concern and leading cause of death worldwide with the total number of cases is increasing; A recent analysis estimated 13.2 million deaths and 20.3 million incident cases for cancer in 2030. Preventative strategies include eating a healthy diet with many fruits and vegetables. Additionally, there is also evidence that a diet rich in fermented foods such as fermented milk products may have benefit in reducing cancers. For example, kefir,
A type of fermented milk that contains yeast and bacteria not only provide benefit for the digestive tract, but for lowering cholesterol. Its anticancer properties have been linked to the presence of bioactive components including peptides, polysaccharides, and sphingolipids. These compounds are involved in several types of signaling pathways and regulate cell proliferation, apoptosis, and transformation. Kefir includes Lactococcus which is also present in mammary glands to enhance cellular immunity and activate natural killer cells to control tumor growth.
Specifically in breast cancer, a study that examined the effects of kefir on breast cancer cells showed a statistically significant dose dependent suppressive effect on malignant cell proliferation with no inhibitory effect on normal cells. Four kefir products were used in this study (K1-K4). K1 was milk incubated with kefir grains. K2 was K1 that was then fermented for 24 hours. To prepare K3, K2 was added to pasteurized milk. Finally, fermenting K3 for 24 hours created K4. A pasteurized milk sample and 4 different extracts was used for comparison. After 6 days of cell culture, K4 showed the statistically significant effect mentioned previously.
In conclusion, adding fermented foods/ probiotics that contain Lactococcus can be beneficial for women with breast cancer in aiding in anti-inflammatory and other cell regulation.
References:
Rafie N, Golpour Hamedani S, Ghiasvand R, Miraghajani M. Kefir and Cancer: A Systematic Review of Literatures. Arch Iran Med. 2015 Dec;18(12):852-7. PMID: 26621019.
Fermentation and Breast cancer
Cancer is a major concern and leading cause of death worldwide with the total number of cases is increasing; A recent analysis estimated 13.2 million deaths and 20.3 million incident cases for cancer in 2030. Preventative strategies include eating a healthy diet with many fruits and vegetables. Additionally, there is also evidence that a diet rich in fermented foods such as fermented milk products may have benefit in reducing cancers. For example, kefir,
A type of fermented milk that contains yeast and bacteria not only provide benefit for the digestive tract, but for lowering cholesterol. Its anticancer properties have been linked to the presence of bioactive components including peptides, polysaccharides, and sphingolipids. These compounds are involved in several types of signaling pathways and regulate cell proliferation, apoptosis, and transformation. Kefir includes Lactococcus which is also present in mammary glands to enhance cellular immunity and activate natural killer cells to control tumor growth.
Specifically in breast cancer, a study that examined the effects of kefir on breast cancer cells showed a statistically significant dose dependent suppressive effect on malignant cell proliferation with no inhibitory effect on normal cells. Four kefir products were used in this study (K1-K4). K1 was milk incubated with kefir grains. K2 was K1 that was then fermented for 24 hours. To prepare K3, K2 was added to pasteurized milk. Finally, fermenting K3 for 24 hours created K4. A pasteurized milk sample and 4 different extracts was used for comparison. After 6 days of cell culture, K4 showed the statistically significant effect mentioned previously.
In conclusion, adding fermented foods/ probiotics that contain Lactococcus can be beneficial for women with breast cancer in aiding in anti-inflammatory and other cell regulation.
References:
Rafie N, Golpour Hamedani S, Ghiasvand R, Miraghajani M. Kefir and Cancer: A Systematic Review of Literatures. Arch Iran Med. 2015 Dec;18(12):852-7. PMID: 26621019.