Kelp may prevent breast cancer
In recent studies,
scientists discovered a diet containing kelp seaweed, lowered levels of the
potent sex hormone estradiol in rats, raising hopes it may decrease the risk of
estrogen-dependent diseases. The type of kelp used in this study, bladderwrack
seaweed (Fucus vesiculosus), is closely related to wakame and kombu, the brown seaweeds most commonly consumed in
Prior studies have shown
Japanese women have longer menstrual cycles and lower serum estradiol levels
than their Western counterparts, which researchers say
may contribute to their lower rates of breast, endometrial and ovarian cancers.
Researchers randomly
divided 24 female rats into three groups that received either a high (70
milligrams) or low dose (35 milligrams) of dried, powdered kelp for four weeks
(roughly equivalent to the amount of brown seaweed eaten by people in
Overall, dietary kelp
resulted in a 37 percent increase in the length of a rat's estrous cycle. Why
is that so important? Human studies have linked longer menstrual cycles to a
lower risk of breast, ovarian and endometrial cancers. By having fewer periods,
researchers say, less time is spent overall in phases where hormone levels and
breast and endometrial cell proliferation are at their highest.
Source:
Scienceblog.com
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