Bennink, MR, Harkins, JM and Rondini, EA Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI Previous research (Davis and Iwahashi, Cancer Letters 165:27,2001) demonstrated that feeding almonds inhibited the very early stages of chemically-induced colon carcinogenesis. The purpose of this research was to determine if feeding almonds would also inhibit later stages of tumorigenesis. Colon tumorigenesis was initiated by two injections of azoxymethane (15 mg/kg) and dietary treatment commenced one week after the second injection. Ground almonds constituted 41.2% of the almond diet and the control diet was a modification of the AIN-93G diet. Both diets had comparable amounts of protein, mineral mixture, vitamin mixture, fiber and essential fatty acids per 1,000 kcal. After 32 weeks of dietary treatment, tumor development was assessed. Colon tumor incidence was 73% for rats fed the control diet and 53% for rates fed the almond diet (a 27% reductions, P=0.08). Tumor multiplicity (number of tumors per tumor-bearing rat) was reduced (P=0.03, 1.22 for almonds vs. 1.85 for control) and tumor burden (mg tumor per tumor-bearing rat) was also reduced (P=0.04, 73 almonds vs. 234 for control) by feeding almonds. The three assessements of tumor development (tumor incidence, multiplicity, and burden) and the previous research, taken together, provide strong evidence that feeding almonds results in an inhibition of colon tumorigenesis. Moreover, these data suggest that almonds can be part of a healthy diet aimed at reducing colon cancer. Support was provided by the Almond Board of California and the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station AICR 2002 meeting abstract Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.