Dietary Seaweed and Early Breast Cancer: A Randomized Trial

Could daily consumption of seaweed help explain lower postmenopausal breast cancer (BC) incidence and mortality rates in Japan? This small proof of principle clinical trial was designed to test the idea that the same amount of seaweed normally eaten in Japan would induce metabolic changes when given to non-seaweed consuming healthy postmenopausal American women. The participants were given 10 capsules a day (about 1 tablespoon) for 3 months. During the first month the capsules contained placebo, the second month seaweed, and the third month placebo. We collected blood and urine samples after each treatment period and tested for changes in protein expression that might be related to consuming seaweed.