Monounsaturated Fat Intake Research Articles

Design of a Mediterranean Exchange List Diet Implemented by Telephone Counseling

A Greek-Mediterranean dietary pattern has two distinct aspects that differ relative to average intakes in the United States: a high intake of monounsaturated fats and a high intake of fruit and vegetables. The purpose of the study was to develop and test an exchange list Greek-Mediterranean diet that could be used in future clinical trials of breast cancer prevention. A total of 69 women, ages 25 to 59 years, were randomized to either continue their own usual diet or follow an intervention diet for 6 months during 2004 through 2005. Intervention goals were to decrease usual fat intakes by about half and to replace those fats with olive oil and other high–monounsaturated fatty acid foods; increase fruit and vegetable intakes to 7 to 9 servings/day, depending on energy intake; and consume at least one serving per day each of culinary herbs and allium vegetables. Registered dietitians provided exchange goals and individualized telephone counseling, and diets were self-selected using a Mediterranean exchange list developed specifically for this study. Changes in diet were assessed by 7-day food records. Results demonstrated that counseling using the Mediterranean exchange list was effective for large dietary changes relative to the nonintervention group. Repeated measures analysis of variance indicated a statistically significant 48% increase in dietary monounsaturated fat with no appreciable change in total fat intake, and a significant increase in fruit and vegetable intake from 4.0 to 8.6 servings/day ( P < 0.05).

Abstract B135: A Mediterranean dietary intervention for reducing colon cancer risk

Abstract B135 Epidemiological and animal studies indicate that the major components of the traditional Cretan-Mediterranean diet have great promise for the prevention of colon cancer while improving overall health. We designed an exchange-list diet that would target 1) an increase in amount and variety of fruits and vegetables, 2) an increase in whole grains and 3) a decrease in n-6 fatty acids with increased n-3 and n-9 fatty acids. The exchange list approach provided flexibility in food choices for meeting nutrient goals. In this ongoing study we are recruiting study participants at increased risk for colon cancer. Subjects are being randomized to a modified Mediterranean diet or a Healthy People 2010 diet for 6 months, each of which involves intensive dietary counseling. Dietary intake data, blood samples and biopsies of normal colonic mucosa from flexible sigmoidoscopy are being collected and analyzed. Thus far 45 subjects have been enrolled with a mean age of 52 years, mean BMI of 28 kg/m2 and 67% were female. Two thirds of the subjects had a family history of colon cancer and the remainder had a personal history of adenomas. Dietary intakes of mono-unsaturated fats increased by about 70% and fruit and vegetables intakes doubled, but caloric intake did not change appreciably in the Mediterranean arm. This indicates that the exchange list diet was an effective tool. HPLC-MS-MS methods were developed to profile prostaglandins and leukotrienes in granulocytes and colonic mucosa using a single chromatographic run. Thus far granulocyte samples from 23 subjects have been analyzed there was a trend for decreases in several eicosanoids in samples from the Mediterranean arm while changes in the Healthy Eating arm were more variable. These preliminary data indicate that subjects can make large dietary changes and that this may impact on inflammation. Effects on biomarkers in the colonic mucosa are ongoing and will be important to evaluate the potential preventive effects of a Mediterranean type of diet. Supported by NIH grant 1RO1CA120381. Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2008;1(7 Suppl):B135.

Body mass index and nutritional intake in patients with HIV and chronic diarrhea: A secondary analysis

The purpose of this study was to examine the differences in nutritional intake and body mass index (BMI) in HIV patients with chronic diarrhea via secondary analysis of patients' nutritional diaries. A secondary purpose was to evaluate the quality of diets against national dietary guidelines. Seventy-five ambulatory patients with HIV were included in this study. Patients were categorized using baseline BMI as normal weight (BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m2), overweight (BMI 25.0-29.9 kg/m2), and obese (BMI >or=30.0 kg/m2). Seven-day nutritional diaries were used to estimate diet in terms of dietary fats, cholesterol, fiber, protein, and sugar. A one-way analysis of variance was conducted to evaluate the relationship between BMI and mean nutritional intake from fat, saturated fat, polyunsaturated fat, monounsaturated fat, cholesterol, fiber, and sugar. 39.7% and 13.3% of participants were overweight and obese, respectively. The mean intake of fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol was higher than the recommended levels by the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP), while the mean intake of monounsaturated fat, polyunsaturated fat, and fiber was below the NCEP guideline. Although the results were not statistically different between groups, grams of fiber intake were lowest for individuals with BMI >or=30.0 kg/m2. Advanced practice nurses should encourage increased physical activity and healthy diets at each visit for individuals living with HIV. The continued use of nutritional supplements to boost weight should also be reviewed at each visit to prevent the consumption of unnecessary calories.

Dietary Macronutrients, Cholesterol, and Sodium and Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Men

BackgroundLittle is known about dietary correlates of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). ObjectiveTo examine associations between dietary intakes of total energy, carbohydrates, protein, fats, cholesterol, and sodium and LUTS in men. Design, setting, and participantsCross-sectional study of 1545 men aged 30–79 yr in the Boston Area Community Health survey (2002–2005), a random population-based sample. Dietary data were assessed by validated self-administered food frequency questionnaire. LUTS and covariate data were collected during in-person interviews. Primary analyses used multivariate logistic regression. MeasurementsOutcomes were moderate to severe LUTS, storage symptoms, and voiding symptoms as measured by the American Urological Association Symptom Index. Results and limitationsGreater total energy intake was associated with higher LUTS symptom score (ptrend<0.01) and increased likelihood of storage symptoms. No associations were observed with total, saturated, or monounsaturated fat intake or carbohydrates. Men who consumed more protein were less likely to report LUTS, particularly voiding symptoms (quintile 5 vs quintile 1 OR=0.35; 95% CI, 0.17–0.74; p=0.006). Sodium intake had positive linear associations with LUTS (ptrend=0.01) and storage symptom score (ptrend=0.004); this finding should be confirmed by studies using biomarkers of sodium exposure. Storage symptoms increased slightly with greater polyunsaturated fat intake (ptrend=0.006). Data on specific polyunsaturated fats were unavailable. ConclusionsThis community-based study of men found that total energy and sodium intake were positively associated with LUTS, whereas greater protein intake was inversely associated with LUTS.

Transtheoretical model-based dietary interventions in primary care: a review of the evidence in diabetes.

The objective of this study was to review the evidence concerning stage-based dietary interventions in primary care among persons with diabetes or an elevated diabetes risk. Search strategies were electronic databases and manual search. Selection criteria were randomized controlled studies with stage-based dietary intervention, conducted in primary care with at least 6 months of follow-up, and participants with either type 2 diabetes or with an elevated risk. The researchers evaluated trials for inclusion, extracted data and assessed study quality. Seven articles, based on five data sets, were included. These studies concentrated on cardiovascular diseases and being overweight, not diabetes. The quality of the studies was moderate to weak. Inadequacies in the reporting often involved unspecific information on the training of health care providers. Long-term positive outcomes (compared with controls) were found in total and monounsaturated fat intake, diastolic blood pressure, health status and well-being. The existing data are insufficient for drawing conclusions on the benefits of the transtheoretical model. More high-quality studies focusing on diabetes are needed, with greater attention to the training of providers and process evaluation. There is a need for a standardized appraisal tool for study evaluation, focusing separately on education interventions for patients and providers.

Dietary Fat Influences Testosterone, Cholesterol, Aminopeptidase A, and Blood Pressure in Male Rats

A high intake of monounsaturated fat (MUFA) has been proposed to be a dietary factor able to decrease the incidence of cardiovascular disease and hypertension [1]. It has been shown that an increase in the saturation of dietary fat results in increased concentrations of total plasma cholesterol [2] and higher blood pressure [3]. It was previously shown that serum total cholesterol levels were higher in mice fed diets containing saturated oils than in those consuming unsaturated fat. In addition, angiotensin II-degrading (aminopeptidase A) activity increased progressively with the degree of saturation of dietary fatty acids [4]. A subsequent study found that dietary fatty acid composition affected aminopeptidase A activity in the testes of mice, suggesting a role for fatty acids in male reproductive functions, including androgen synthesis [5]. It was recently observed that a diet enriched with Iberian pig lard remarkably increased serum testosterone levels in comparison to diets containing other types of fatty acids with different degrees of saturation [6]. This and other studies suggested an influence of gonadal steroids and cholesterol on angiotensin-degrading activities [7]. Other actions of gonadal steroids by nongenomic-dependent mechanisms have been reported, such as stimulation of insulin secretion and Ca2+ uptake as well as vasodilatory effects [8] [9]. In the present report we analyze the effect of various diets enriched in fatty acids with different degrees of saturation on systolic blood pressure, plasma levels of testosterone, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and angiotensin II-degrading activity.

Compliance to an Exchange‐list Mediterranean Diet

A Greek‐Mediterranean dietary pattern has great potential for cancer prevention. We developed an exchange list diet that would target key nutrient intakes of the Mediterranean eating pattern. The goals were to replace half of usual polyunsaturated fat intake with monounsaturated fats (MUFA) and to increase intakes of a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, including dark green vegetables, allium vegetables and herbs. A total of 69 women, ages 25–59, were enrolled in the study and randomized to the Mediterranean diet or not for 6 months. Subjects in the Mediterranean diet arm received individualized telephone counseling. Menus were provided as examples, but the diets were self‐selected. Compliance to the dietary goals was assessed by 7‐day food records and by levels of plasma fatty acids, lipids and carotenoids. The women were able to make large changes. Intake of MUFA increased by 48% without a change in overall fat intake. Fatty acids levels in plasma changed in the same direction as dietary fatty acids, but were smaller in magnitude. Intakes of carotenoids more than doubled in the Mediterranean diet arm, and plasma total carotenoids increased by 65%. A statistical model was developed to identify clustered outcome variables. This modified Mediterranean diet will be tested for its effects on markers of cancer risk in future studies.Supported by AICR grant #03B043.

Childhood Diet, Overweight, and CVD Risk Factors: The Healthy Start Project

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors can be identified in children and tracked over time. We studied 519 children (mean age, 3.9 years) and reevaluated CVD risk factors 4 years later. Baseline and follow-up (FU) measures included height, weight, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure level, blood lipid values, and 24-hour dietary intake. Nutritional predictors of CVD risk factors (lipid levels and BMI) were identified using regression analysis at follow-up. Energy intake at baseline and FU, as well as increasing BMI over time, were directly associated with total cholesterol levels. Dietary intake of monounsaturated fat and dietary fiber were significant predictors of total cholesterol level at follow-up (inverse associations). Increasing BMI, waist circumference at FU, and intake of sucrose at FU were inversely associated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels at FU. Waist circumference and BMI at FU were associated with higher triglyceride levels, while percent energy from monounsaturated fat was associated with lower values. This study provides further evidence that dietary intake influences CVD risk factors in childhood.

Early Childhood Diet, Overweight, and Cardiovascular Risk

Early Childhood Diet, Overweight, and Cardiovascular Risk

O028 TYPE AND AMOUNT OF FAT INTAKE MAY INCREASE DISEASE ACTIVITY IN PATIENTS WITH CROHN'S DISEASE ACCORDING TO GENETIC POLYMORPHISMS OF CYTOKINES GENES IL6 174 G/C AND TNF ALPHA 857C/T

Rationale: The aim of this study was to assess the role of polymorphisms in the pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL6 and TNF alpha) and to study the interaction between these polymorphisms and the intake of fat. Methods: 99 CD patients and 111 controls with a similar age and sex distribution were included in the study. 63 CD patients had inactive disease according to the Harvey-Bradshaw index whereas the remaining 36 had an index 4 7. Dietary intake was assessed using a semiquantitative food-frequency. TNFalpha857C/T and IL6 174G/C polymorphisms were assessed using specific restriction enzymes, using DNA extracted from whole blood. Results: As compared to controls, carriers of the homozygous variant for IL-6 174 had an increased risk for CD, OR 6.14 (IC1.94 19.43) whereas genotypes for TNFalpha857TT were not associated to risk. However carriers of TNFalpha857TT had an increased risk for active CD, OR 11.0 (IC1.1 90.3) whereas the genotype for IL-6 174 CC had no influence. By itself, a high intake of total, saturated and monounsaturated fat intake were significantly associated with higher disease activity (p = 0.03, p = 0.005 and p = 0.007, respectively), whereas polyunsaturated fat did not shown any association. The interaction between fat intake and genotype showed that in respect to IL-6 174G/C polymorphism, a high intake of both saturated and monounsaturated fat could exacerbate disease activity in homozygous patients for the variant (OR 2.9; CI0.95 9.1; OR3.2 CI 0.99 10.4). In respect to TNFalpha857C/T polymorphism, patients homozygous for the variant had a significant increase in disease activity if intake of total, saturated and monounsaturated fat was high (OR 4.6; CI1.01 21.36; OR 6.0 CI1.3 26.2; OR 5.1 CI1.3 19.2). No significant association was observed with polyunsaturated fat intake and other nutrients such as folate or antioxidants. Conclusion: Different amounts and types of fat intake might interact synergistically with cytokines genotype in exacerbating disease activity in CD patients.

Dietary fat and breast cancer risk in the Swedish women's lifestyle and health cohort

We investigated whether dietary intakes of total fat, monounsaturated fat (MUFA), polyunsaturated fat (PUFA) and saturated fat (SFA) were associated with breast cancer risk in a prospective cohort of 49 261 Swedish women (30–49 years at enrolment), which yielded 974 breast cancer cases by December 2005. Further, we evaluated if associations differed by oestrogen and/or progesterone receptor tumour status. Total fat, MUFA, PUFA or SFA were not associated with risk overall. However, women in the highest MUFA and PUFA quintile intake had a reduced breast cancer risk after age 50 years (hazard ratios: 95% confidence interval=0.45: 0.25–0.99 and 0.54: 0.35–0.85, respectively) compared to women in the lowest quintile. The associations did not differ by oestrogen or progesterone receptor status. Despite the negative findings, type of fat during premenopausal years may have later differential effects on risk.

Effects of a vegetarian diet and treatment preference on biochemical and dietary variables in overweight and obese adults: a randomized clinical trial

Background:A vegetarian diet may lead to numerous health benefits, including weight loss.Objective:We examined the joint effects of personal preference of dietary treatment and a calorie-restricted, low-fat lactoovovegetarian diet (LOV-D) compared with a standard calorie-restricted, low-fat omnivorous diet (STD-D) on changes in weight, total cholesterol, ratio of LDL to HDL cholesterol (LDL:HDL cholesterol), triacylglycerols, insulin resistance, and macronutrient intake during an 18-mo study.Design:This was a randomized clinical trial of 176 overweight and obese adults who were recruited and randomly assigned first to 1 of 2 preference conditions (yes or no). If assigned to Preference-No, they were randomly assigned to 1 of the 2 diet conditions (STD-D or LOV-D). If assigned to Preference-Yes, they were assigned to the diet they indicated as preferred at screening. The 12-mo intervention was followed by a 6-mo maintenance phase.Results:Participants were mainly women (86.9%) and white (70.5%); 75% completed the 18-mo study. A significant interaction between preference and dietary treatment was not observed for any of the outcome variables. However, participants in the Preference-No groups significantly decreased their triacylglycerols (P = 0.04). The only effect observed for diet was a borderline significant decrease in LDL:HDL cholesterol for the LOV-D group (P = 0.06). Within the LOV-D groups, those who were 100% adherent to the LOV-D had significant and marginally significant reductions in monounsaturated fat (P = 0.02) and total fat (P = 0.05) intakes at 18 mo.Conclusions:Our findings suggest that neither prescribing a vegetarian diet nor allowing persons to choose their preferred diet had a significant effect on outcome measures. However, all participants had a significant reduction in total energy and fat intakes and an increase in energy expenditure, which was reflected in reduced body weight. This clinical trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00330629.

A prospective study on dietary fat and incidence of prostate cancer (Malmö, Sweden)

To study the associations between intake of various types of fat and risk of prostate cancer (PCa) in a population-based cohort. We have studied 10,564 initially cancer-free men of the Malmö Diet and Cancer cohort, aged 45-73 years. Diet was assessed by a modified diet history method. Cases and clinical characteristics were ascertained via national and regional registry data. During a mean follow-up of 11.0 years, 817 incidental PCa cases were diagnosed. Out of these, 281 were classified as advanced. There were 202 cases occurring before 65 years of age. After adjustment for age and energy intake, there was no association between intake of any types of fat and risk of PCa, or between fat intake and advanced PCa or PCa occurring in persons aged <65 years. However, we observed positive associations between intakes of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and risk of PCa. After adjustment for multiple confounders, the latter associations were weakened, but the results were otherwise virtually unchanged. This large study, with high-validity dietary data, does not support an association between intake of total, saturated, or mono-unsaturated fat and PCa risk. The observed associations between EPA/DHA intakes and PCa are difficult to interpret.

Dietary fat and plasma total homocysteine concentrations in 2 adult age groups: the Hordaland Homocysteine Study

Background:The intake of n−3 (formerly called omega-3) fatty acids (FAs) may be inversely associated with plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) concentrations, but the epidemiologic data are sparse.Objective:We examined the association between dietary fat and tHcy in a Norwegian population.Design:A cross-sectional, population-based study of 5917 subjects in 2 age groups (47–49 and 71–74 y old) was conducted with the use of food-frequency questionnaires and measurement of plasma tHcy concentrations.Results:The intake of saturated FAs (SFAs) was positively and significantly (Pfor trend < 0.001) associated with tHcy concentrations; the difference in plasma tHcy concentrations between the highest and lowest quartiles of SFAs was 8.8%. The intake of marine very-long-chain n−3 FAs was inversely associated with tHcy concentrations; the difference in plasma tHcy concentrations between the lowest and the highest quartiles was −5.0% (Pfor trend < 0.001). Intakes of total and monounsaturated fat also were positively associated with plasma tHcy concentrations (Pfor trend < 0.001 and < 0.005, respectively), whereas the intake of polyunsaturated fat was positively associated with tHcy concentrations only in the younger subjects (Pfor trend = 0.03). The associations were weakened by additional adjustment for B vitamin intake but remained significant for SFA intake (P< 0.001). When stratified for total B vitamin intake, the inverse association between tHcy concentrations and very-long-chain n−3 FAs was significant only in the highest quartile of B vitamin intake (Pfor trend = 0.001), regardless of supplement use.Conclusions:High intakes of SFAs are associated with high plasma concentrations of tHcy. The inverse association between dietary intakes of very-long-chain n−3 FAs and plasma tHcy concentrations is apparent only at high B vitamin intakes.

LDL Cholesteryl Oleate

Cholesteryl esters (CE) are synthesized by 2 enzymes, lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) and acylCoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT). LCAT functions in the plasma and forms CE in HDL by transferring polyunsaturated fatty acid from phosphatidylcholine to cholesterol. ACAT, which functions intracellularly, uses fatty acid from acylCoA and forms CE enriched in monounsaturated fatty acid. Two isoforms of ACAT are expressed.1 ACAT1 is present in many tissues and produces the CE that are stored intracellularly, whereas ACAT2 is expressed in the intestine and liver and produces the CE that are secreted in chylomicrons and VLDL.2 See page 1396 In this issue of Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology , Bell et al report that ACAT2 gene deletion prevents hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis induced by diets containing 10% saturated or monounsaturated fat in a murine model of high LDL apoB100 only, LDL receptor-deleted (LDLr−/−) mice.3 These mice also had larger LDL particle size and hypertriglyceridemia. They attribute the protection of ACAT2 deficiency to a decrease in LDL particles enriched in CE derived from oleate (monounsaturated). When the diet contains large amounts of monounsaturated fats, ACAT2 activity appears to favor production of VLDL particles containing an excessive amount of cholesteryl oleate,4 and these monounsaturated CE remain associated with the lipoprotein particle when it undergoes conversion to LDL. These findings remind us that CE synthesized in the liver can be a source of CE for LDL, a fact that tends to be overlooked because of the current emphasis on the role of the reverse cholesterol transport pathway and cholesteryl ester transport protein (CETP) in supplying CE to VLDL and ultimately LDL. The Figure illustrates how LCAT, CETP, and ACAT2 function to supply monounsaturated and polyunsaturated CE that can accumulate in LDL. A schematic summary of the pathways that provide cholesteryl esters (CE) for incorporation …

Dietary Fat and Postmenopausal Invasive Breast Cancer in the National Institutes of Health-AARP Diet and Health Study Cohort

Although ecologic association and animal studies support a direct effect of dietary fat on the development of breast cancer, results of epidemiologic studies have been inconclusive. We prospectively analyzed the association between fat consumption and the incidence of postmenopausal invasive breast cancer in the National Institutes of Health-AARP Diet and Health Study, a US cohort comprising 188,736 postmenopausal women who completed a 124-item food-frequency questionnaire in 1995-1996. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using Cox proportional hazards regression models with adjustment for energy and potential confounding factors. All statistical tests were two-sided. Over an average follow-up of 4.4 years, the cohort yielded 3501 cases of invasive breast cancer. The hazard ratio of breast cancer for the highest (median intake, 40.1% energy from total fat; 434 cases per 100,000 person-years) versus the lowest (median intake, 20.3% energy from total fat; 392 cases per 100,000 person-years) quintile of total fat intake was 1.11 (95% CI = 1.00 to 1.24; P(trend) = .017). The corresponding hazard ratio for a twofold increase in percent energy from total fat on the continuous scale was 1.15 (95% CI = 1.05 to 1.26). Positive associations were also found for subtypes of fat (hazard ratio for a twofold increase in percent energy from saturated fat = 1.13; 95% CI = 1.05 to 1.22; from monounsaturated fat, HR = 1.12; 95% CI = 1.03 to 1.21; from polyunsaturated fat, HR = 1.10, 95% CI = 1.01 to 1.20). Correction for measurement error in nutrient intakes, on the basis of a calibration substudy that used two 24-hour dietary recalls, strengthened the associations, yielding an estimated hazard ratio for total fat of 1.32 (95% CI = 1.11 to 1.58). Secondary analyses showed that associations between total, saturated, and monounsaturated fat intakes were confined to women who were not using menopausal hormone therapy at baseline. In this large prospective cohort with a wide range of fat intake, dietary fat intake was directly associated with the risk of postmenopausal invasive breast cancer.

Fat Intake and Breast Cancer Revisited

fat intake, the uncorrected HR was 1.15 (95% CI = 1.05 to 1.26) and the corrected HR was 1.32 (95% CI = 1.11 to 1.58). Thus, even with correction for measurement error, this study provides further evidence that the association between total fat intake and the risk of breast cancer among postmenopausal women is likely to be modest. Analyses of specifi c subtypes of fat yielded increased risks that ranged from 10% to 13% for a doubling of percent energy from fat, an unrealistic scenario except, perhaps, for the small minority of women with the lowest intakes . When all types of fat were considered simultaneously, only the association for saturated fat re mained statistically signifi cant. Thiebaut et al. found a stronger association between saturated and monounsaturated fat intakes and breast cancer risk among current users of menopausal hormone therapy than among never or former users, which suggests that dietary fat intake may have more infl uence on breast cancer risk when it occurs in the context of an estrogen-rich environment (i.e., menopausal hormone therapy users or premenopausal women). Indeed, the pooled analysis of prospective studies ( 4 ) reported positive associations for polyunsaturated fat and vegetable fat among current users of menopausal hormones but not among never or former users. Furthermore, in the Women’s Health Initiative Dietary Modifi cation Trial ( 6 ), women who were randomly assigned to the low-fat group and who were either using postmenopausal hormones at baseline or who were also randomly assigned to the estrogen plus progestin arm of the trial had a 17% (95% CI = 1% to 31%) reduction in breast cancer incidence compared with the control group; by contrast, there was no difference in breast cancer incidence between the low-fat dietary pattern group and the control group among women not using postmenopausal hormones ( P for interaction = .06). Similarly, in the predominantly premenopausal Nurses’ Health

Nutritional factors in relation to endometrial cancer: A report from a population‐based case‐control study in Shanghai, China

We evaluated the role of dietary nutrients in the etiology of endometrial cancer in a population-based case-control study of 1,204 newly diagnosed endometrial cancer cases and 1,212 age frequency-matched controls. Information on usual dietary habits was collected during an in-person interview using a validated, quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to evaluate the association of nutrients with endometrial cancer risk using an energy density method (e.g., nutrient intake/1,000 kilocalories of intake). Higher energy intake was associated with increased risk, which was attributable to animal source energy and a high proportion of energy from protein and fat. Odds ratios comparing highest versus lowest quintiles of intake were elevated for intake of animal protein (Odds ratio (OR) = 2.0, 95% confidential interval: 1.5-2.7) and fat (OR = 1.5, 1.2-2.0), but reduced for plant sources of these nutrients (OR = 0.7, 0.5-0.9 for protein and OR = 0.6, 0.5-0.8 for fat). Further analysis showed that saturated and monounsaturated fat intake was associated with elevated risk, while polyunsaturated fat intake was unrelated to risk. Dietary retinol, beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, fiber, and vitamin supplements were inversely associated with risk. No significant association was observed for dietary vitamin B1 or vitamin B2. Our findings suggest that associations of dietary macronutrients with endometrial cancer risk may depend on their sources, with intake of animal origin nutrients being related to higher risk and intake of plant origin nutrients related to lower risk. Dietary fiber, retinol, beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, and vitamin supplementation may decrease the risk of endometrial cancer.

Dietary fat and the risk of age-related maculopathy: the POLANUT Study

This study aimed at assessing the associations of dietary fat with the risk of age-related maculopathy (ARM), in the framework of a population-based study from southern France. Nutritional data were collected using a dietitian-administered food-frequency questionnaire. ARM was classified from retinal photographs using the international classification and included neovascular age-related macular degeneration, geographic atrophy, soft indistinct drusen, soft distinct drusen associated with pigmentary abnormalities. After multivariate adjustment, high total, saturated and monounsaturated fat intake were associated with increased risk for ARM (odds ratio (OR)=4.74, P=0.007; OR=2.70, P=0.04; and OR= 3.50, P=0.03, respectively). Total polyunsaturated fatty acid was not significantly associated with ARM. Total and white fish intake was not significantly associated with ARM, but fatty fish intake (more than once a month versus less than once a month) was associated with a 60% reduction in risk for ARM (OR=0.42, P=0.01).

Impact of nutrients on insulin-like growth factor-I, insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 and their ratio in African American and white males

Higher levels of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and lower levels of IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) have been associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer. Nutrition is known to partially regulate IGF levels and it is possible that nutritional factors mediate the impact of IGF levels on prostate cancer risk. A cross-sectional analysis of the impact of nutritional factors measured by a dietary questionnaire on plasma levels of IGF-I, IGFBP-3 and their molar ratio. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to test for effects of nutrients on IGF levels. Prostate cancer screening at the Hollings Cancer Center in Charleston, South Carolina. Ninety-five African American and 138 white males aged 33-83 years attending the screening. In whites, intakes of total, saturated and monounsaturated fats were positively associated with an increase in the molar ratio, while there was no association in African Americans. In African Americans, we found that increasing intake of calcium and dairy servings was positively associated with IGF-I levels. Increased vegetable intake was positively associated with IGFBP-3 in African Americans, while there was no effect in whites. A higher percentage of alcohol in the total diet was significantly associated with a decrease in the molar ratio and an increase in IGFBP-3 in both groups. Our results confirm previous findings of nutritional determinants of IGF levels. Additionally, we found the impact of several nutrients on IGF levels to be different in whites and African Americans, which warrants further investigation.