Asparagus ‘helps disease to spread’
CANCER C patients could be asked to cut out foods such as asparagus and dairy to prevent the disease spreading to o other organs.
Scientists believe an amino acid called asparagine drives the spread of cancer. Foods rich in asparagine include dairy products, beef, poultry, eggs, f fish, asparagus, beans, nuts, s seeds, soy and whole grains.
A study in mice found those given asparagine-rich foods saw their cancer cells spread more rapidly. Researchers at
the University of Cambridge, who led the study, believe breast cancer patients could be given a diet low in such foods to improve their chances. Patients with kidney or head and neck cancers could also benefit, the findings suggest.
Lead scientist Professor Greg Hannon, from the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, said they had pinpointed a key mechanism that promotes breast cancer cells’ ability to spread. The study is published in the journal Nature.