Lifestyle Desk: The Japanese have a reputation for longevity. They rarely get sick. Nucleic acids found in abundance in traditional Japanese foods can inhibit the growth of cancer cells, say researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University. A balanced Japanese diet rich in whole grain foods, seafood, and plant-based ingredients may provide protection against certain types of disease, including cancer.

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How do dietary nucleic acids fight cancer?
Nucleic acids are natural compounds. These acids are found in all living things, including the food we eat. These nucleic acids are broken down by the body into nucleotides and nucleosides, which are essential for the immune system and cell function. Professor Kojima-Yuasa's research shows that when this nucleic acid is broken, cancer cells also stop growing. Traditional Japanese foods, especially salmon and vegetable sources, are rich in these nucleic acid molecules in certain types of yeast.

The study specifically addresses nucleic acid compounds obtained from two unique sources. Salmon milt and Torula yeast (a nutritional yeast used as a flavor enhancer). Scientists extracted torula yeast RNA and salmon milt DNA, which they added to lab experiments involving cancer cells. The results were surprising. These sources produced compounds such as guanosine, which halted the growth of cancer cells by preventing them from entering the replication phase, the researchers said.

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The role of guanosine in stopping the growth of cancer cells
Guanosine is a type of nucleoside that has a special ability to inhibit the growth of cancer cells. Although the research is still in its early stages, the results suggest that dietary sources of guanosine and related chemicals may be used as cancer prevention methods.