Internet Ablaze After Study Links Asparagine from Asparagus to Cancer

Following the publication of a study in the journal Nature suggesting that asparagine may have aided the spread of an aggressive form of breast cancer in mice, the internet has ignited with inquiries about whether one should forgo asparagus, which contains this natural amino acid.

It is natural that interest in whether the consumption of asparagus can increase the incidence of breast cancer has surged after the study’s release, but the truth is more complex, reports the British portal Mirror.

Firstly, the study was conducted on mice, but the progression of disease in animals and humans does not always align.

Furthermore, it has not been established that asparagine can cause cancer, even in mice. It has been found that this amino acid accelerates the spread of cancer, but does not cause it.

The answer to whether one should give up asparagus is – further research is needed. If these studies show that asparagine has a similar effect on humans, then perhaps (and that perhaps is significant), it could lead to new methods for treating breast cancer.

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The research could reveal ways to block the production of asparagine in the body, or patients could limit its intake in their daily diet.

Asparagine is a chemical compound that is naturally found in the body. It is present in asparagus, but also in other foods. Protein-rich foods such as beef, poultry, eggs, fish, dairy products, and some seafood also contain asparagine. It is found in potatoes, nuts, vegetables, soy, seeds, and whole grains.

Asparagine levels are low in fruits and vegetables, except in asparagus.

For now, there is no need to change one’s diet, scientists believe.

“Currently, there is no evidence that restricting certain foods can help in the fight against cancer, so it is important for patients to discuss with their doctor before deciding to change their diet in any way during treatment,” says Martin Ledwick from the British Cancer Research Center.

Numerous Unknowns

Some other studies have shown that dietary changes can affect cancer growth. A nine-year study completed in 2017 showed that sugar can promote tumor growth in yeast cells (but again, not in human cells). However, science is evolving, and thus research conducted on mice may help scientists in their further work.

Scientists have determined in humans that when cancer cells can produce asparagine more easily, cancer can spread more rapidly, but they do not yet know what influences their production nor the best way to slow it down. Once they establish this, they will have the secret to stopping the spread of cancer.

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A drug for treating leukemia called L-asparagine also has the potential to slow the spread of breast cancer. When mice were given this drug that blocks the production of the amino acid, the drug reduced the ability of breast cancer to spread to other parts of the mouse’s body.

“When the ability of asparagine is reduced, we see a smaller effect on the primary breast tumor, but the ability of cancer cells to spread to other parts of the body is diminished,” says study leader Greg Hannon from the University of Cambridge.

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When more is known about the interaction of chemotherapeutics and asparagine, it could lead to the development of a more successful cocktail for treating breast cancer. For now, studying asparagine could bring us therapy, but it is important to note that this is not a cure.

If cancer treatment were really as simple as excluding certain ingredients from the diet, scientists would likely already have the right answer, but the solution is not that straightforward.