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Epigenetic Factors to Reduce Breast Cancer Risk – Part 8
This is part 8 of an 11-part series of articles, all about the epigenetic factors that reduce breast cancer risk. My goal with these articles is to empower you with information to help you heal from breast cancer and/or to reduce your risk of breast cancer.
For more information on my personal reasons for putting this information together, see Part 1 of the series.
In this article, Part 8 of the series, I will share the nutrients that have the ability to naturally trigger apoptosis in breast cancer cells. Apoptosis is programmed cell death, which normal cells exhibit. It’s the ability to self-destruct if they receive signals that the replication process is occurring too rapidly. Tumor cells lose this ability, and this contributes to their rapid growth rate. Due to so many researchers across the world spending time investigating natural substances, we know which ones have the ability to trigger apoptosis in breast cancer cells.
PART 8 – NUTRIENTS THAT TRIGGER APOPTOSIS IN BREAST CANCER CELLS
Alpha linolenic acid – from buckwheat bran, chia, chickpeas, flaxseed, green beans, hemp seeds, macadamia nuts, peas, pecans, pistachio nuts, pumpkin seeds, quinoa, red beans, soybeans, walnuts [1], [2]
Amygdalin – from apricot kernels (inside the seed), bitter almonds, buckwheat, cashews, chickpeas, flaxseed, lentils, lima beans, macadamia nuts, pecans, walnuts [3]
Anthocyanins – from acai, Anasazi beans, apples, bananas, black beans, bilberries, black raspberries, black rice, blackcurrants, blueberries, chickpeas, cranberries, elderberries, grapes, kidney beans, pigeon pea leaves & seeds, pomegranates, purple beans, purple carrots, purple sweet potatoes, sorghum bran, strawberries, walnuts [4]
Apigenin – from celery, chamomile tea, chickpeas, grapefruit, onions, oranges, parsley, peas, pigeon pea leaves, rice bran, sorghum bran [5]
Berberine – from goldenseal, barberry, Oregon grape, Huang bai, tree turmeric [6], [7]
Beta-carotene & alpha-carotene – found in acai, amla, apricots, bananas, barley, black raspberries, black rice, blackcurrants, blueberries, buckwheat bran, carrots, cashews, cherries, cranberries, grapefruit, green beans, hemp seed, leafy greens, lentils, mulberries, peas, pecans, pistachio nuts, pumpkin seeds, quinoa, raspberries, red beans, sesame seeds, spelt, strawberries, sunflower seeds, sweet potatoes, walnuts, wheat, wheat bran [8]
Beta-sitosterol – from acai, almonds, amaranth, bananas, barley, black rice, blackberries, Brazil nuts, flaxseed, hemp seed, macadamia nuts, oats, peas, pecans, pigeon pea roots, pistachio nuts, pumpkin seeds, quinoa, raspberries, rice bran, sesame seeds, soybeans, sunflower seeds, walnuts, wheat, wheat bran [9]
Caffeic acid – found in adzuki beans, apples, apicots, barley, bee propolis, blackberries, black raspberries, blackcurrants, blueberries, buckwheat bran, brown rice, chia seeds, chickpeas, coffee, cranberries, flaxseed, goji/wolfberry, hazelnuts, lentils, mulberries, oats, peas, quinoa, raspberries, sorghum bran, soybeans, strawberries, sunflower seeds, wheat [10]
Capsaicin – from cayenne, chilies, hot peppers [11]
Chlorophyll – found in all green plants and herbs, blue-green algae, grapes, green beans, matcha tea, pistachio nuts, pumpkin seeds, seaweed, spirulina, sprouts, wheatgrass [12]
Conjugated linoleic acid – from organic grass fed beef, butter from grass-fed cows raised organically, full fat (preferably raw) dairy products like cream, milk, yogurt or cheese [13], [14]
Curcumin – from turmeric, or by supplementation [15], [16], [17]
Cyanadin-3-glucoside – from acai, amaranth, bilberries, black raspberries, blackberries, blackcurrants, cherries, black rice, mulberries, pistachio nuts, red beans, strawberries [18]. [19]
Delphinidin – found in acai, amla, bananas, bilberries, black raspberries, blackcurrants, black beans, blueberries, cherries, cranberries, kidney beans, raspberries [20]
Di-indolyl-methane (DIM) – by supplementing [21], [22]
Ellagic acid – from acai, amla, apples, black raspberries, blackberries, blackcurrants, blueberries, Brazil nuts, cherries, cranberries, pigeon pea seeds, pomegranates, pecans, raspberries, strawberries, walnuts [23]
Enterolactone, Enterodiol – from flaxseed, oats [24]
Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) – found in amla, green tea, peas [25]
Eugenol – from cinnamon, clove [26]
Ferulic acid – found in acai, Anasazi beans, apricots, barley, black beans, black raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, brown rice, chickpeas, cranberries, dong quai, flaxseed, grapes, hazelnuts, mulberries, oats, peas, quinoa, raspberries, red beans, rice bran, sesame seeds, sorghum bran, soybeans, spelt, strawberries, wheat, wheat bran [27], [28]
Formononetin – from astragalus, cashews, red clover [29]
Genistein – from chickpeas, kidney beans, peas, quinoa, soybeans [30], [31]
Geraniin – found in amla, pomegranate [32]
Isovitexin and vitexin – from acai, buckwheat, cannabis, chaste tree, fenugreek, mung beans, passionflower, rice bran [33], [34]
Juglone – from black walnut, walnuts [35]
Kaempferol – found in amla, Anasazi beans, barley, black beans, black raspberries, black rice, blackberries, blackcurrants, blueberries, buckwheat bran, cherries, chickpeas, chia seeds, cranberries, flaxseed, ginkgo biloba, green beans, kidney beans, lemons, lentils, mulberries, peas, quinoa, raspberries, red beans, rice bran, strawberries [36], [37]
Melatonin – from bananas, barley, black rice, cherries (esp sour), ginger, oats, walnuts [38]
Myricetin – from adzuki beans, barley, black beans, blackberries, blackcurrants, blueberries, chia seeds, chickpeas, cranberries, fennel, parsley [39], [40], [41]
Nobiletin – from grapefruit, lemons [42]
Peonidin – found in bilberries, black rice, blueberries, cherries, cranberries [43]
Protocatechuic acid – found in acai, adzuki beans, apples, avocados, bilberries, blackberries, blueberries, brown rice, buckwheat, cauliflower, dates, eggplant, garlic, hazelnuts, kiwi, lentils, mango, mangosteen, mulberries, olive oil, olives, peas, pears, pistachio nuts, raspberries, red onion, sorghum bran, strawberries, wheat [44], [45]
Pterostilbene – from blueberries, cranberries, lingonberries, grapes, strawberries [46]
Quercetin – found in adzuki beans, amla, Anasazi beans, apples with peels, apricots, asparagus, bananas, barley, bilberries, black beans, black raspberries, black rice, black tea, blackberries, blackcurrants, blueberries, broccoli, capers, cauliflower, celery, cherries, chickpeas, chia seeds, cocoa powder (unsweetened), cranberries, dill, eggplant, elderberries, gingko biloba, grapes (red), grapefruit, green beans, green pepper, green tea, honey, kale, lemons, lentils, lettuce (esp Romaine), mulberries, onions, parsley, peas, pears with peels, peppers, quinoa, raspberries, red onions, sage, shallots, spinach, strawberries, tea (black and green), tomatoes, yellow snap beans [47], [48]
Resveratrol – from acai, black beans, black raspberries, blueberries, cranberries, dark chocolate, grapes, lentils, mulberries, peanuts, peanut butter, pistachio nuts, raspberries, strawberries [49], [50]
Selenium – found in amaranth, barley, Brazil nuts, brewer’s yeast, broccoli, brown rice, buckwheat bran, chickpeas, chicken, garlic, kelp, lentils, liver, macadamia nuts, molasses, oats, onions, pecans, pistachio nuts, pumpkin seeds, quinoa, red beans, salmon, seafood, spelt, sunflower seeds, walnuts, wheat, wheat bran, wheat germ [51], [52]
Silibinin – from milk thistle (herb) [53], [54]
Sinapic acid – from Anasazi beans, barley, black raspberries, brown rice, citrus fruits, cranberries, flaxseed, lentils, quinoa, raspberries, red beans, sorghum bran, soybeans, sunflower seeds, wheat, wheat bran [55]
Tannic acid – found in acai, amaranth, Anasazi beans, bananas, barley, berries, bilberries, black tea, chickpeas, grapes, lentils, nuts, peas, pomegranates, quinoa, red beans, rhubarb, sorghum, sorghum bran, squash [56]
Ursolic Acid – from cherries, cranberries [57], [58]
Vitamin C – in most fruit and vegetables [59]
Vitamin D3 – found in raw and fortified milk, salmon, sunshine, tuna [60], [61]
Vitamin E – from amaranth, barley, black raspberries, black rice, blackcurrants, Brazil nuts, brown rice, buckwheat bran, cashews, chickpeas, cranberries, green beans, hemp seed, kidney beans, lentils, macadamia nuts, oats, peas, pecans, pistachios, quinoa, raspberries, red beans, rice bran, sesame seeds, spelt, walnuts, wheat, wheat bran [62], [63]
Please note that this is not an exhaustive list, there are likely other nutrients that trigger apoptosis in breast cancer cells. As I find the research, I will add it here. As much of the research is only preliminary, we often do not know the exact quantities of a nutrient required to promote apoptosis so my advice is to include as many of these nutrients in your daily/weekly diet as you can.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Please do not attempt to heal your breast cancer using only a few nutrients or supplements. Cancer is a complex disease and requires a multi-disciplinary approach to be effective. Please work with an oncologist and/or integrative oncologist and/or oncology naturopath and/or functional medicine doctor for the absolute best results.
For more information on other epigenetic factors that reduce breast cancer risk, please see
Part 1 nutrients that can control regulatory genes
Part 2 nutrients that can reduce damage to DNA
Part 3 nutrients that stop rapid proliferation of cells
Part 4 nutrients that ease cancer promoting inflammation
Part 5 nutrients that change malignant cells back into healthy cells
Part 6 nutrients that alter or restore receptors on breast cancer cells
Part 7 nutrients that inhibit excess estrogen production
References:
[1] a-Linolenic Acid Reduces Growth of Both Triple Negative and Luminal Breast Cancer Cells in High and Low Estrogen Environments – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26134471
[2] Growth-inhibitory and proapoptotic effects of alpha-linolenic acid on estrogen-positive breast cancer cells – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19723055
[3] Amygdalin Regulates Apoptosis and Adhesion in Hs578T Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4703354/
[4] Anthocyanins: targeting of signaling networks in cancer cells – http://journal.waocp.org/article_28931_461e055bbc01eb841e2778463d4935d0.pdf
[5] Flavones inhibit breast cancer proliferation through the Akt/FOXO3a signaling pathway – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26675309/
[6] Berberine Enhances Chemosensitivity and Induces Apoptosis Through Dose-orchestrated AMPK Signaling in Breast Cancer – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28775788
[7] Berberine-induced apoptosis in human breast cancer cells is mediated by reactive oxygen species generation and mitochondrial-related apoptotic pathway – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25352028
[8] ß-carotene at physiologically attainable concentration induces apoptosis and down-regulates cell survival and antioxidant markers in human breast cancer (MCF-7) cells – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28550445
[9] Beta-Sitosterol: A Promising but Orphan Nutraceutical to Fight Against Cancer – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26473555
[10] Antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of selective phenolic acids on T47D human breast cancer cells: potential mechanisms of action – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC400651/
[11] Capsaicin-induced apoptosis in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells through caspase-independent pathway – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19212624
[12] The chlorophyllin-induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells is associated with ERK deactivation and Cyclin D1 depletion – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16142413
[13] Probiotic Conjugated Linoleic Acid Mediated Apoptosis in Breast Cancer Cells by Downregulation of NFkB – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27509982
[14] Conjugated linoleic acid-induced apoptosis in mouse mammary tumor cells is mediated by both G protein coupled receptor-dependent activation of the AMP-activated protein kinase pathway and by oxidative stress – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3265966/
[15] Targets of curcumin – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3025067/
[16] The Effect of Curcumin on Breast Cancer Cells – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3706856/
[17] Curcumin and Cancer Cells: How Many Ways Can Curry Kill Tumor Cells Selectively? – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2758121/
[18] Selective Anti-Proliferation of HER2-Positive Breast Cancer Cells by Anthocyanins Identified by High-Throughput Screening – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3849376/
[19] Cyanidin-3-o-glucoside directly binds to ERa36 and inhibits EGFR-positive triple-negative breast cancer – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5356596/
[20] Delphinidin induced protective autophagy via mTOR pathway suppression and AMPK pathway activation in HER-2 positive breast cancer cells – https://bmccancer.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12885-018-4231-y
[21] Bcl-2 Family-mediated Apoptotic Effects of 3,3′-Diindolylmethane (DIM) in Human Breast Cancer Cells – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11931841
[22] Induction of growth arrest and apoptosis in human breast cancer cells by 3,3-diindolylmethane is associated with induction and nuclear localization of p27kip – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18281517
[23] Ellagic acid induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis through TGF-ß/Smad3 signaling pathway in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25647396
[24] Enterolactone: A novel radiosensitizer for human breast cancer cell lines through impaired DNA repair and increased apoptosis – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27984132
[25] Epigallocatechin-3-gallate promotes apoptosis in human breast cancer T47D cells through down-regulation of PI3K/AKT and Telomerase –
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28646740
[26] Eugenol Triggers Apoptosis in Breast Cancer Cells Through E2F1/survivin. Down-regulation – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3931838/
[27] Lipophilic caffeic and ferulic acid derivatives presenting cytotoxicity against human breast cancer cells – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21504213
[28] Antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of selective phenolic acids on T47D human breast cancer cells: potential mechanisms of action – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC400651/
[29] Formononetin induces cell cycle arrest of human breast cancer cells via IGF1/PI3K/Akt pathways in vitro and in vivo – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21932171/
[30] Genistein targets the cancerous inhibitor of PP2A to induce growth inhibition and apoptosis in breast cancer cells – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4948957/
[31] AKT and p21 WAF1/CIP1 as potential genistein targets in BRCA1-mutant human breast cancer cell lines – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20651350
[32] Geraniin induces apoptosis of human breast cancer cells MCF-7 via ROS-mediated stimulation of p38 MAPK – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27097871
[33] Vitexins, nature-derived lignan compounds, induce apoptosis and suppress tumor growth – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2752044/
[34] Flavonoid C-glucosides Derived from Flax Straw Extracts Reduce Human Breast Cancer Cell Growth In vitro and Induce Apoptosis – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5006111/
[35] Mechanism of juglone-induced apoptosis of MCF-7 cells by the mitochondrial pathway – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27525860
[36] Kaempferol, a Flavonoid Compound from Gynura Medica Induced Apoptosis and Growth Inhibition in MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cell – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5566146/
[37] Content of potentially anticarcinogenic flavonoids of 28 vegetables and 9 fruits commonly consumed in The Netherlands – http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jf00024a011
[38] Melatonin enhances the apoptotic effects and modulates the changes in gene expression induced by docetaxel in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells – https://www.spandidos-publications.com/10.3892/ijo.2017.4213
[39] Mitochondrial-dependent, reactive oxygen species-independent apoptosis by myricetin: roles of protein kinase C, cytochrome c, and caspase cascade – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15748703
[40] Myricetin-induced apoptosis of triple-negative breast cancer cells is mediated by the iron-dependent generation of reactive oxygen species from hydrogen peroxide – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29742465
[41] Myricetin suppresses breast cancer metastasis through down-regulating the activity of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2/9 – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29532526
[42] Antiproliferative and apoptosis-inducing activity of nobiletin against three subtypes of human breast cancer cell lines – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24692711
[43] Selective Anti-Proliferation of HER2-Positive Breast Cancer Cells by Anthocyanins Identified by High-Throughput Screening – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3849376/
[44] Antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of selective phenolic acids on T47D human breast cancer cells: potential mechanisms of action – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC400651/
[45] Apoptotic effects of protocatechuic acid in human breast, lung, liver, cervix, and prostate cancer cells: potential mechanisms of action – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19601677
[46] Pterostilbene simultaneously induces apoptosis, cell cycle arrest and cyto-protective autophagy in breast cancer cells – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3276376/
[47] Quercetin, a Natural Flavonoid Interacts with DNA, Arrests Cell Cycle and Causes Tumor Regression by Activating Mitochondrial Pathway of Apoptosis – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4828642/
[48] Quercetin induces apoptosis and necroptosis in MCF-7 breast cancer cells –
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28814095
[49] Involvement of p38-p53 signal pathway in resveratrol-induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22260024
[50] Resveratrol suppresses growth of cancer stem-like cells by inhibiting fatty acid synthase – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3404809/
[51] Selenium and anticarcinogenesis: underlying mechanisms – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18827575/
[52] Effects of Selenium Yeast on Oxidative Stress, Growth Inhibition, and Apoptosis in Human Breast Cancer Cells – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26392813
[53] ERa down-regulation plays a key role in silibinin-induced autophagy and apoptosis in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells –
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26117209
[54] Silibinin induces apoptosis and inhibits proliferation of estrogen receptor (ER)-negative breast carcinoma cells through suppression of nuclear factor kappa B activation – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24784867
[55] Antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of selective phenolic acids on T47D human breast cancer cells: potential mechanisms of action – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC400651/
[56] Remodeling of tannic acid crosslinked collagen type I induces apoptosis in ER+ breast cancer cells – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25750276
[57] Ursolic acid inhibits breast cancer growth by inhibiting proliferation, inducing autophagy and apoptosis, and suppressing inflammatory responses via the PI3K/AKT and NF-kB signaling pathways in vitro – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5639319/
[58] Ursolic acid-mediated changes in glycolytic pathway promote cytotoxic autophagy and apoptosis in phenotypically different breast cancer cells – https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10495-017-1353-7
[59] Ascorbate (vitamin C) induces cell death through the apoptosis-inducing factor in human breast cancer cells – https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/6b94/a39c7d7cfb8a951f288e758a4f630e459ecf.pdf
[60] The Potential Therapeutic Benefits of Vitamin D in the Treatment of Estrogen Receptor Positive Breast Cancer – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3429709/
[61] Vitamin D3 decreases glycolysis and invasiveness, and increases cellular stiffness in breast cancer cells – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29216499
[62] Vitamin E Transporters in Cancer Therapy –
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4365088/
[63] Inhibitory Effects of Gamma- and Delta-Tocopherols on Estrogen-Stimulated Breast Cancer in Vitro and in Vivo – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5337152/
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