Diet mechanism
 

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/214571.php

"...evidence shows that changing health behaviors can sustainably improve blood pressure, blood lipids, self-esteem, body image, and other indicators of health and well-being, independent of any weight change and without the negative aspects of weight-focused approaches. While weight loss may result, the goal is self-care rather than weight loss, they say. This weight-neutral practice has become known as Health at Every Size (HAES)."

Re: Diet mechanism
 

Cancer Res. 2011 Jan 1;71(1):123-33.
A randomized trial of dietary intervention for breast cancer prevention.

Martin LJ, Li Q, Melnichouk O, Greenberg C, Minkin S, Hislop G, Boyd NF.
Ontario Cancer Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Abstract

Epidemiologic data and animal experiments suggest that dietary fat may influence risk of breast cancer. To determine whether intervention with a low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet would reduce breast cancer incidence in women at increased risk of the disease, we carried out a randomized controlled trial in Canada. We recruited 4,690 women with extensive mammographic density and randomized them to an intervention group or a comparison group. The intervention group received intensive dietary counseling to reduce fat intake to a target of 15% of calories and increase carbohydrate to 65% of calories. Dietary intakes were assessed throughout using food records. Subjects were followed for at least 7 years and for an average of 10 years. The main outcome was invasive breast cancer. Percentage of calories from fat in the intervention group decreased from 30% at baseline to 20% after randomization and remained 9% to 10% lower than the comparison group throughout. There were 118 invasive breast cancers in the intervention group and 102 in the comparison group [adjusted hazard ratio = 1.19 (95% CI: 0.91-1.55)]. Analysis of food records showed that fat intake at baseline and after randomization was not associated with total breast cancer incidence. Greater weight and lower carbohydrate intake at baseline and after randomization were associated with an increased risk of estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer. Our findings suggest that a sustained reduction in dietary fat intake did not reduce risk of breast cancer in women with extensive mammographic density. Weight and carbohydrate intakes were associated with risk of ER-positive breast cancer.

Re: Diet mechanism
 

So, greater weight was a risk factor, but not higher fat. Hmmm, I wonder which types of fat they were reducing? Because we do need healthy fats in our diet. I'm curious to know exactly which ones they reduced. I requested the study through my university so I can read the whole thing.

Lisa
www.pinkkitchen.info

Re: Diet mechanism
 

The results of this study are interesting. It is a large study with nearly 5000 women. The results represent a stark contrast to those from the WINS trial which found a reduction in dietary fat (especially saturated with an emphasis on monounsaturated fats in diet) reduced recurrence of breast cancer significantly, especially for triple neg breast ca. Of course, one thought with WINS is that weight loss/control from following a low fat diet may have been part of the reason for the risk reduction. The weight gain finding does not surprise me as it is fairly well established that increased fat=increased estrogen. It would be interesting to know what the guidelines for their "low carbohydrate diet" were and it lean proteins were encouraged or if low carb was also high saturated fat. At any rate, it looks like the message remains to be maintain or achieve a healthy weight, fat in moderation (avoiding saturated fat) and exercise.