Researchers from IRB Barcelona recently found that a type of fat called palmitic acid, which is commonly found in palm oil, may increase the risk of cancer spreading in the body.
This process, known as metastasis, is responsible for most cancer-related deaths. While some cancers can be treated effectively when caught early, metastatic cancer is much harder to cure.
Palmitic acid is a type of fatty acid, the building blocks of fat that we consume in our diet and store in our bodies. The researchers focused on two types of cancer—oral cancer and melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer.
In their study, they discovered that palmitic acid could make these cancers more likely to spread to other parts of the body.
Interestingly, not all fats had the same effect. Other fatty acids, such as oleic acid (found in olive oil) and linoleic acid (found in foods like flaxseeds), did not show a similar connection to cancer spread. This suggests that specific types of fats may play very different roles in cancer progression.
The study also revealed something particularly concerning: the impact of palmitic acid doesn’t stop once it’s removed from the diet.
When mice were fed a diet rich in palmitic acid for a short time, their cancer cells remained highly capable of spreading even after the fatty acid was no longer part of their diet. The researchers found that this lasting effect is due to changes in the way genes inside the cancer cells work.
These changes are called “epigenetic changes.” Unlike mutations, which permanently alter the structure of genes, epigenetic changes influence how genes behave without changing their underlying DNA.
In this case, the cancer cells adapted to create a network of connections with other nearby cells, helping the cancer spread more effectively.
The team also made a promising discovery: they identified a way to block this process. They are now working to develop therapies that could prevent the spread of cancer by targeting these specific epigenetic changes.
Clinical trials will be the next step to test whether this approach works in humans.
At this stage, it’s unclear whether specific diets could help slow down metastasis in people with cancer.
While it might seem logical to avoid foods high in palmitic acid, such as palm oil, more research is needed to confirm whether this strategy would be effective. Diet is a complex factor in cancer treatment, and scientists urge caution until more evidence is available.
This study highlights the importance of understanding how diet influences cancer behavior. While it’s too early to draw firm conclusions about dietary changes for cancer patients, these findings may lead to new ways to manage or even prevent metastasis.
The research was led by Professor Salvador Aznar-Benitah and published in the journal Nature.
If you care about cancer, please read studies that low-carb diet could increase overall cancer risk, and new way to increase the longevity of cancer survivors.
For more information about cancer, please see recent studies about how to fight cancer with these anti-cancer superfoods, and results showing daily vitamin D3 supplementation may reduce cancer death risk.
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