Nutrition and health

Objectives:
Epidemiological studies that focus on the relationship between dietary isoflavone intake and the risk of breast cancer still lead to inconsistent conclusions. Therefore, this review article has been conducted.

Does a high isoflavone dietary intake reduce risk of breast cancer among women?

Study design:
This review article included 7 cohort studies and 17 case-control studies with a total of 902,438 females.
The verification of breast cancer in these studies was based on either a cancer registry record or a histological diagnosis.
The exposure assessment of all included studies was based on a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) via either face-to-face interviews or self-administrative questionnaires.

The publication biases were evaluated using Begg’s test and Egger’s test. The shape of the funnel plots showed asymmetry [p = 0.001] and the Egger’s test found virtual publication bias [p 0.001]. However, the trim-and-fill method failed to identify any potentially missing studies, indicating the publication bias did not affect the results.

Results and conclusions:
The investigators found in the meta-analysis a significantly reduced risk of 29% for breast cancer [summary OR = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.72 to 0.81, I2 = 82.6%] when comparing the highest to the lowest isoflavone dietary intake.
The result remained the same in sensitivity analysis.

The investigators found in subgroup analysis a statistically significant protective effect of 38% for isoflavone dietary intake on breast cancer in the case-control studies [OR = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.50 to 0.76], while no such effect was observed in the cohort studies [OR = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.86 to 1.02].

The investigators found in subgroup analysis a statistically significant protective effect of 38% for isoflavone dietary intake on breast cancer in Asian women [OR = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.52 to 0.74], while no such effect was observed in non-Asian women [OR = 0.97, 95% CI = 0.88 to 1.06].

The investigators found when the highest isoflavone dietary intake was lower than 10 mg/d, the negative relationship between isoflavone dietary intake and breast cancer disappeared [OR = 1.01, 95% CI = 0.94 to 1.08], whereas a statistically significant protective effect of 37% [OR = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.53 to 0.75] was found, when the highest isoflavone dietary intake was above 10 mg/d.
However, a statistically significant difference in the protective effect of isoflavone dietary intake on breast cancer was observed regardless of whether the women were pre- or postmenopausal and regardless of whether they were ER positive or negative.

The investigators concluded at least 10 mg/d isoflavone dietary intake is helpful in reducing breast cancer risk, particularly among Asian women.

Original title:
Isoflavone Consumption and Risk of Breast Cancer: An Updated Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies by Yang J, Shen H,  […], Qin Y.

Link:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10224089/

Additional information of El Mondo:
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Objectives:
Findings on the association of dietary intake and tissue biomarkers of linoleic acid (LA) with the risk of prostate cancer are conflicting. Also, no meta-analysis summarized available findings in this regard. Therefore, this review article has been conducted.

Do higher tissue levels or higher dietary intakes of linoleic acid reduce prostate cancer risk in men?

Study design:
This review article included 15 prospective cohort studies with 511,622 participants with an age range of ≥18 years.

During the follow-up periods ranging from 5 to 21 years, 39,993 cases of prostate cancer, 5,929 cases of advanced prostate cancer and 1,661 cases of fatal prostate cancer were detected.

Results and conclusions:
The investigators found higher tissue levels of linoleic acid were significantly associated with a reduced risk of 14% for prostate cancer [RR = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.77 to 0.96].   
However, a significant association was not seen for advanced prostate cancer [RR = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.65 to 1.13].

The investigators found in dose-response analysis, each 5% increase in tissue levels of linoleic acid was significantly associated with a 14% lower risk of prostate cancer.

The investigators found no significant association between dietary intake of linoleic acid and risk of total [RR = 1.00, 95% CI = 0.97 to 1.04], advanced [RR = 0.98, 95% CI = 0.90 to 1.07] and fatal prostate cancer [RR = 0.97, 95% CI = 0.83 to 1.13].
Not significant because RR of 1 was found in the 95% CI of 0.83 to 1.13. RR of 1 means no risk/association.

The investigators concluded higher tissue levels of linoleic acid reduce prostate cancer in men.

Original title:
Dietary intake and biomarkers of linoleic acid and risk of prostate cancer in men: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies by Yousefi M, Eshaghian N, […], Sadeghi O.

Link:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37077161/

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Tissue levels of linoleic acid can be increased by eating foods that are high in linoleic acid and/or taking linoleic acid supplements.
 

Sunflower oil, corn oil, soybean oil, rice bran oil, canola (rapeseed) oil are high in linoleic acid.

Objectives:
Does a high dietary intake of vitamin B6 or a high blood PLP levels (vitamin B6 level in blood) reduce the risk of colorectal cancer?

Study design:
This review article included 20 cohort studies and 8 case-control studies.

Results and conclusions:
The investigators found higher dietary intake of vitamin B6 significantly reduced the risk of colorectal cancer with 20% [combined OR = 0.80, 95% CI = 0.68 to 0.94].

The investigators found higher blood PLP level significantly reduced the risk of colorectal cancer with 46% [combined OR = 0.54, 95% CI = 0.35 to 0.84].

The investigators found subgroup analysis revealed that higher dietary intake of vitamin B6 significantly reduced the risk of colorectal cancer in women with 21% [combined OR = 0.79, 95% CI = 0.65 to 0.96].

The investigators found subgroup analysis revealed that higher blood PLP level significantly reduced the risk of colorectal cancer in women with 59% [combined OR = 0.41, 95% CI = 0.30 to 0.57].

The investigators found subgroup analysis revealed that higher dietary intake of vitamin B6 significantly reduced the risk of colon cancer in men and women with 24% [combined OR = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.64 to 0.91].

The investigators found subgroup analysis revealed that higher blood PLP level significantly reduced the risk of colon cancer in men and women with 44% [combined OR = 0.56, 95% CI = 0.42 to 0.73].

The investigators concluded that higher dietary intake of vitamin B6 and higher blood PLP level (vitamin B6 level in blood) reduce colorectal cancer risk, particularly colon cancer.

Original title:
Association Between Vitamin B6 and the Risk of Colorectal Cancer: A Meta-analysis of Observational Studies by Lai J, Guo M, […], Li J.

Link:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36961108/

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Find more information/studies on vitamin B6 and colorectal cancer right here.

Circulating concentration of vitamin B6 in blood can be increased by eating foods that are high in vitamin B6 and/or taking vitamin B6 supplements.
 

Objectives:
The associations between dietary intakes and circulating blood levels of methionine, choline or betaine and breast cancer risk remain currently unclear. Therefore, this review article has been conducted.

Do higher dietary intakes and circulating blood levels of methionine, choline or betaine reduce breast cancer risk?

Study design:
This review article included 8 prospective cohort studies and 10 case-control studies.

Results and conclusions:
The investigators found in case-control studies that higher dietary choline intake significantly reduced breast cancer risk with 62% [OR = 0.38, 95% CI = 0.16 to 0.86].
However, this reduced risk was not significant in prospective cohort studies [HR = 1.01, 95% CI = 0.92 to 1.12].

The investigators concluded that higher choline dietary intake may reduce breast cancer risk. May reduce because this reduced risk is not found in cohort studies.

Original title:
The association between dietary intakes of methionine, choline and betaine and breast cancer risk: A systematic review and meta-analysis by Van Puyvelde H, Dimou N, […], De Bacquer D.

Link:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36701983/

Additional information of El Mondo:
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Objectives:
Even though many studies have examined the possible effect of low-fat diet on breast cancer survival, the relationship remains unclear. Therefore, this review article has been conducted.

Does low-fat diet reduce risk of recurrence of breast cancer?

Study design:
This review article included 2 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 1 large multi-center prospective cohort study with 9,966 breast cancer patients.

Results and conclusions:
The investigators found post-diagnostic low-fat diet significantly reduced risk of recurrence of breast cancer by 23% [HR = 0.77, 95% CI = 0.63 to 0.94, p = 0.009] and all cause mortality of breast cancer by 17% [HR = 0.83, 95% CI = 0.69 to 1.00, p = 0.05].

The investigators concluded post-diagnostic low-fat diet reduces risk of recurrence of breast cancer. However, more trials of the relationship between low-fat diet and all-cause mortality of breast cancer are still needed.

Original title:
Effect of low-fat diet on breast cancer survival: a meta-analysis by Xing MY, Xu SZ and Shen P.

Link:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24606431/

Additional information of El Mondo:
Find more information/studies on fat consumption and breast cancer right here.

A low-fat diet is a diet with maximum 30 En% fat and maximum 7 En% saturated fat.  
30 En% fat means that the amounts of fat contribute 30% to the total calories (kcal) of the diet.
If the diet contains 2000 kcal, 66.7 grams of fat contribute 30% to this 2000 kcal.
1 gram of fat gives 9 kcal. Thus, 66.7 grams of fat provide 600 kcal and 600 kcal is 30% of 2000 kcal.

The most easy way to follow a diet a diet with maximum 30 En% fat and maximum 7 En% saturated fat is to choose only meals/products with maximum 30 En% fat and maximum 7 En% saturated fat. Check here which products contain maximum 30 En% fat and maximum 7 En% saturated fat.

However, the most practical way to follow a diet with maximum 30 En% fat and maximum 7 En% saturated fat is, all meals/products that you eat on a daily basis should contain on average maximum 30 En% fat and maximum 7 En% saturated fat.

To do this, use the 7-points nutritional profile app to see whether your daily diet contains maximum 30 En% fat and maximum 7 En% saturated fat.

Objectives:
Evidence shows cruciferous vegetables exhibit chemoprotective properties, commonly attributed to their rich source of isothiocyanates. However, epidemiological data examining the association between cruciferous vegetable intake and colorectal neoplasms have been inconclusive. Therefore, this review article (meta-analysis) has been conducted.

Does cruciferous vegetable intake decrease colon cancer risk?

Study design:
This review article included 33 articles.
Subgroup analysis for individual cruciferae types (n = 8 studies) and GST polymorphism (n = 8 studies) were performed. Pooled adjusted odds ratios (ORs) comparing highest and lowest categories of dietary pattern scores were calculated.

Results and conclusions:
The investigators found when comparing highest with lowest categorie, cruciferous vegetable intake significantly reduced risk of colon cancer with 16% [OR = 0.84, 95% CI = 0.72-0.98, p value heterogeneity 0.001].

The investigators found when comparing highest with lowest categorie, broccoli intake significantly reduced risk of colorectal neoplasms with 20% [OR = 0.80, 95% CI = 0.65-0.99, p value heterogeneity = 0.02].

The investigators found stratification by GST genotype showed that the GSTT1 null genotype confered a reduction in colorectal neoplasms risk of 22% [OR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.64-0.95, p value heterogeneity = 0.32].

The investigators concluded this meta-analysis provides support to the hypothesis that cruciferous vegetable intake protects against cancer of the colon. This meta-analysis also demonstrates the significance of gene-diet interactions and the importance of assessing individual cruciferous vegetables.

Original title:
Cruciferous vegetables and risk of colorectal neoplasms: a systematic review and meta-analysis by Tse G and Eslick GD.

Link:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24341734

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Objectives:
Does physical activity reduce gastric cancer risk?

Study design:
This review article included 7 cohort studies (with mean reported follow-up ranging from 6 to 18.8 years) and 9 case control studies reporting 11,111 cases of gastric cancer among 1,606,760 patients.

There was no evidence of publication bias, both quantitatively [Begg and Mazumdar rank correlation test, p = 0.62] and qualitatively, on visual inspection of the funnel plot.

Results and conclusions:
The investigators found the risk of gastric cancer was 21% [OR = 0.79, 95% CI = 0.71-0.87, I2 = 55%]  lower among the most physically active people as compared with the least physically active people, after adjustment for important confounders, including age, obesity, and other risk factors for gastric cancer (smoking, alcohol, dietary patterns and socioeconomic status).
This protective effect was seen for gastric cancers in the cardia [OR = 0.80, 95% CI = 0.63-1.00, 4 studies] and distal stomach [OR = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.52-0.76, 5 studies].

The investigators found increasing physical activity was associated with a reduced risk of gastric cancer in both men [OR = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.75-0.99, 10 studies] and women [OR = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.55-0.94, 3 studies].

The investigators found in 12 studies that increased recreational physical activity showed an 18% reduction in gastric cancer risk [OR = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.72-0.94].

The investigators found the effect size was significantly smaller in high-quality studies [OR = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.75-0.99, 6 studies] as compared with low-quality studies [OR = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.69-0.81, 10 studies]. The results were consistent across sex, study quality, study design and geographic location.

The investigators concluded physical activity - especially recreational physical activity - is associated with reduced risk of gastric cancer. Lifestyle interventions focusing on increasing physical activity may decrease the global burden of gastric cancer, in addition to a myriad of other health benefits with being physically active, which include cardiovascular, metabolic and psychologic wellbeing.

Original title:
Physical Activity Is Associated with Reduced Risk of Gastric Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis by Singh S, Varayil JE, […], Iyer PG.

Link:
http://cancerprevention.aacrjournals.org/content/7/1/12.abstract

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Objectives:
The association of red meat consumption with the risk of stomach cancer has been reported by many studies, with inconclusive results. Therefore, this review article has been conducted.

Does a high red meat consumption increase stomach cancer risk?

Study design:
This review article included a total of 18 studies (cohort and case-control studies) involving 1,228,327 subjects.

Results and conclusions:
The investigators found for the highest versus lowest categories of red meat intake a significant increased risk of 37% for gastric cancer [pooled RR = 1.37, 95% CI = 1.18-1.59, I2 = 67.6%, p 0.001].

The investigators found in population-based case-control studies, a significant increased risk of 58% for gastric cancer [pooled RR = 1.58, 95% CI = 1.22-2.06, I2 = 73.0%, p 0.001].

The investigators found in hospital-based case-control studies, a significant increased risk of 63% for gastric cancer [pooled RR = 1.63, 95% CI = 1.38-1.92, I2 = 19.1%, p = 0.284].

The investigators found, however, no association among cohort studies [RR = 1.00, 95% CI = 0.83-1.20, I2 = 33.9%, p = 0.158].

The investigators found the significant association was also presented in the subgroup analysis by geographic area (Asia, Europe), publication year (≥2000), sample size (1,000, ≥1,000) and quality score (7 stars, ≥7 stars).

The investigators found in dose-response analysis that every 100 g/day increment in red meat intake significant increased gastric cancer risk with 17% [RR = 1.17, 95% CI = 1.05-1.32].

The investigators found in linear regression model that the risk of gastric cancer increased with increasing level of red meat consumption.

The investigators concluded that a increased intake of red meat might be a risk factor for stomach cancer. Might be because the risk was not significant among cohort studies. Therefore, further larger prospective cohort studies are warranted to verify this association.

Original title:
Red meat consumption and stomach cancer risk: a meta-analysis by Song P, Lu M, […], Zhao Q.

Link:
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00432-014-1637-z

Additional information of El Mondo:
Find more studies/information on meat intake and cancer right here.
 

Objectives:
The association between meat consumption and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still inconclusive. Therefore, this review article has been conducted.

Does meat consumption increase risk of hepatocellular carcinoma?

Study design:
This review article included 7 cohort studies and 10 case-control studies.

Results and conclusions:
The investigators found for the highest vs. lowest consumption levels a non-significant increased risk for hepatocellular carcinoma of 10% [RR = 1.10, 95% CI = 0.85-1.42] for red meat, a non-significant increased risk of 1% [RR = 1.01, 95% CI = 0.79-1.28] for processed meat and a non-significant decreased risk of 3% [RR = 0.97, 95% CI = 0.85-1.11] for total meat. Non-significant means, there is no association with a 95% confidence.

The investigators found for the highest vs. lowest consumption levels a significant decreased risk for hepatocellular carcinoma of 31% [RR = 0.69, 95% CI = 0.58-0.81] for white meat and a significant decreased risk of 22% [RR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.67-0.90] for fish. The results remained quite stable after stratification by the confounding factors.
Significant means, there is an association with a 95% confidence.

The investigators concluded a high level of white meat or fish consumption reduces the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma, while intake of red meat, processed meat or total meat is not associated with hepatocellular carcinoma risk. These results suggest that dietary intervention may be a promising approach for prevention of hepatocellular carcinoma, which still need to be confirmed by further well-designed prospective studies and experimental research.

Original title:
Systematic review with meta-analysis: meat consumption and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma by Luo J, Yang Y, [...], Zhu Y.

Link:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24588342

Additional information of El Mondo:
Find more studies/information on fish consumption, meat consumption and cancer right here.

A review article of cohort studies or case-control studies will answer the following question:
"Should I change my diet?".

Objectives:
Is there an association between meat intake and risk of esophageal cancer?

Study design:
This review article included 7 cohort studies and 28 case-control studies.

Results and conclusions:
The investigators found for the highest versus lowest total meat consumption categories a non-significant increased risk of 19% [95% CI = 0.98-1.46] for esophageal cancer.

The investigators found for the highest versus lowest red meat consumption categories a significant increased risk of 55% [95% CI = 1.22-1.96] for esophageal cancer.

The investigators found for the highest versus lowest processed meat consumption categories a significant increased risk of 33% [95% CI = 1.04-1.69] for esophageal cancer.

The investigators found for the highest versus lowest white meat consumption categories a significant decreased risk of 28% [95% CI = 0.60-0.86] for esophageal cancer.

The investigators found for the highest versus lowest poultry consumption categories a significant decreased risk of 17% [95% CI = 0.72-0.96] for esophageal cancer.

The investigators found for the highest versus lowest fish consumption categories a non-significant decreased risk of 5% [95% CI = 0.76-1.19] for esophageal cancer.

The investigators found when stratified by histological subtype, positive associations among esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and red meat, white meat and poultry and esophageal adenocarcinoma with total meat and processed meat.

The investigators concluded red meat and processed meat consumption increase risk of esophageal cancer, while white meat and poultry decrease risk of esophageal cancer. Fish consumption is not associated with incidence of esophageal cancer.

Original title:
Meat consumption is associated with esophageal cancer risk in a meat- and cancer-histological-type dependent manner by Zhu HC, Yang X, […], Sun XC.

Link:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24395380

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Objectives:
Previous observational studies regarding the existence of an association between folate intake and the risk of breast cancer have been inconsistent. Therefore, this review article has been conducted.

Does a higher dietary folate intake reduce breast cancer risk?

Study design:
This review article included 14 prospective cohort studies that reported data on 677,858 individuals.
The participant follow-up period ranged 4.7-17.4 years and the number of individuals per study ranged 11,699-88,818.
There was no publication bias.

Results and conclusions:
The investigators found no association between dietary folate intake and breast cancer risk for highest versus lowest category  [RR =  0.97, 95% CI = 0.90-1.05, p  = 0.451, I2 =  57.5%, p = 0.004].

The investigators found dose-response meta-analysis findings showed no association between the risk of breast cancer and a 100 µg/day increase in dietary folate intake [RR = 0.99, 95% CI = 0.98-1.01, p = 0.361, I2 = 66.2%, p 0.001].

The investigators found evidence of a nonlinear relationship between dietary folate intake and the risk of breast cancer.

A daily dietary folate intake of 200-320 µg was associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer. However, daily folate intake levels >400 µg was associated with a increased risk of breast cancer.

The investigators found overall folate intake level was associated with a reduced breast cancer risk of 36% if the patients had a daily alcohol intake >10 g [RR for highest versus lowest category = 0.64, 95% CI = 0.43-0.97].

The investigators concluded there are no effects of increased dietary folate intake on the incidence of breast cancer. But, a daily dietary folate intake of 200-320 µg was associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer. However, daily folate intake levels >400 µg was associated with a increased risk of breast cancer. Future studies should focus on specific populations in order to analyze primary breast cancer prevention.

Original title:
Folate Intake and the Risk of Breast Cancer: A Dose-Response Meta-Analysis of Prospective Studies by Zhang YF, Shi WW, […], Zhou YH.

Link:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4059748/

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