The nucleic acids found in many plant and animal foods may help prevent cancer, new research shows.
Anti-Tumor Activity
Given that very little research has explored the anticancer properties of nucleic acids, the OMU study, published in PLOS ONE, undertook a two-phase investigation. One phase involved testing the effects of dietary DNA and RNA on mice that had been administered Ehrlich ascites tumor (EAT) cells, which grow rapidly. The other phase consisted of examining the effects of these nucleic acids on EAT cells in test tubes. The DNA utilized in the study was sourced from salmon milt, while the RNA was obtained from torula yeast.Mechanisms Underlying Anti-Tumor Activity
Another finding was that the nucleoside compounds generated during digestion of RNA and DNA acted as a key to the antiproliferative effect. The nucleosides, guanosine and 2’-deoxyguanosine—the building blocks of DNA and RNA—impeded the progression of cancer from the G1 to the S phase of the cell cycle.“In the life of a cell, the G1 phase is like the growth phase—this is when the cell is just living its life, growing, and getting ready to possibly divide,” Dr. Sam Hilton, holistic and integrative medicine physician, told The Epoch Times in an email. “The S phase is where the cell starts copying its DNA in preparation for splitting into two new cells.”
Stopping cancer cells from moving from the G1 phase to the S phase means they can’t replicate, which helps slow the spread of cancer, he noted.
Other Therapeutic Effects
Prior studies have indicated that nucleic acids play a vital role in maintaining various physiological functions. Deficiencies of dietary nucleic acids are linked to decreased function of T lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell essential for disease and germ protection, according to the OMU study. This deficiency was reversed when immunocompromised patients in an intensive care unit were given RNA supplements.Food Sources
Nucleic acids are present in both animal and plant foods. A specific recommended daily intake of nucleic acids has not been established for cancer prevention, according to Hilton. However, doctors advise eating a balanced diet that is rich in a variety of whole foods.“While meats are high in nucleic acids, red and processed meats have been linked to increased cancer risk,” he said. “Therefore, I would advocate focusing on plant-based sources like legumes, vegetables, and grains, which offer nucleic acids without the same cancer-associated risks.”
Experts Urge Caution
“The application of nucleic acids for cancer suppression in humans is an extremely important issue,” Kojima-Yuasa said. “However, there are still many challenges that need to be considered and resolved, such as side effects that may arise from consuming foods rich in nucleic acids. Therefore, I believe it is prudent to refrain from making any hasty suggestions at this time.”In an email to The Epoch Times, Dr. Ralph Waldo, an integrative medicine physician, put the OMU study in perspective.
“It highlights potential benefits, but more research is needed before recommending high supplement doses,” he said.
An optimal approach for cancer prevention encompasses a healthy lifestyle that includes nutritious eating, exercise, and stress management, he added.
“Health comes from the cumulative effect of many small positive choices, not a single solution,” Waldo wrote. “The keys are staying informed and making daily choices that promote wellness.”
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