A traditional Mediterranean diet decreases endogenous estrogens in healthy postmenopausal women
- PMID: 17474873
- DOI: 10.1207/s15327914nc5602_18
A traditional Mediterranean diet decreases endogenous estrogens in healthy postmenopausal women
Abstract
Breast cancer incidence and mortality rates are markedly lower in the south than in the north of Europe. This has been ascribed to differences in lifestyle and, notably, dietary habits across European countries. However, little information exists on the influence of different dietary regimens on estrogens and, hence, on breast cancer risk. Here we report results of our MeDiet Project, a randomized, dietary intervention study aimed to assess the effect of a Mediterranean diet on the profiles of endogenous estrogens in healthy postmenopausal women. Out of the 230 women who initially volunteered to participate in the study, 115 were found to be eligible and were enrolled. Women were then randomly assigned into an intervention (n = 58) and a control (n = 57) group. Women in the intervention group adhered to a traditional, restricted Mediterranean diet for 6 mo, whereas women in the control group continued to follow their regular diet. Women in the intervention group changed their dietary regimen substantially, and this eventually led to a shift from a prevalent intake of animal fat and proteins to a prevalent intake of vegetable fat and proteins. Regarding urinary estrogens, no significant difference was observed between the intervention and control groups at baseline. After 6 mo, however, control women did not show any major change but women in the intervention group exhibited a significant decrease (over 40%) of total estrogen levels (P < 0.02). The largest part of this modification was based on a marked decrease of specific estrogen metabolites, including hydroxy- and keto-derivatives of estradiol or estrone. To our knowledge, this is the first report to show that a traditional Mediterranean diet significantly reduces endogenous estrogen. This may eventually lead to identify selected dietary components that more effectively decrease estrogens levels and, hence, provide a basis to develop dietary preventive measures for breast cancer.
Similar articles
-
Longitudinal changes in body weight and body composition among women previously treated for breast cancer consuming a high-vegetable, fruit and fiber, low-fat diet.Eur J Nutr. 2005 Feb;44(1):18-25. doi: 10.1007/s00394-004-0487-x. Epub 2004 Mar 5. Eur J Nutr. 2005. PMID: 15309460 Clinical Trial.
-
Reducing bioavailable sex hormones through a comprehensive change in diet: the diet and androgens (DIANA) randomized trial.Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2001 Jan;10(1):25-33. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2001. PMID: 11205485 Clinical Trial.
-
Dietary patterns and breast cancer risk in the shanghai breast cancer study.Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2007 Jul;16(7):1443-8. doi: 10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-07-0059. Epub 2007 Jul 10. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2007. PMID: 17623805
-
Diet and breast cancer: understanding risks and benefits.Nutr Clin Pract. 2012 Oct;27(5):636-50. doi: 10.1177/0884533612454302. Nutr Clin Pract. 2012. PMID: 22948801 Review.
-
A rationale for dietary intervention in postmenopausal breast cancer patients: an update.Nutr Cancer. 1993;19(1):1-10. doi: 10.1080/01635589309514231. Nutr Cancer. 1993. PMID: 8446511 Review.
Cited by
-
Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet in Women and Reproductive Health across the Lifespan: A Narrative Review.Nutrients. 2023 Apr 28;15(9):2131. doi: 10.3390/nu15092131. Nutrients. 2023. PMID: 37432245 Free PMC article. Review.
-
Mediterranean Diet as a Supportive Intervention in Cancer Patients: Current Evidence and Future Directions.Curr Oncol. 2022 Oct 11;29(10):7579-7582. doi: 10.3390/curroncol29100597. Curr Oncol. 2022. PMID: 36290874 Free PMC article.
-
The Mediterranean Diet: An Update of the Clinical Trials.Nutrients. 2022 Jul 19;14(14):2956. doi: 10.3390/nu14142956. Nutrients. 2022. PMID: 35889911 Free PMC article. Review.
-
Obesity in Postmenopausal Breast Cancer Patients: It Is Time to Improve Actions for a Healthier Lifestyle. The Results of a Comparison Between Two Italian Regions With Different "Presumed" Lifestyles.Front Oncol. 2021 Nov 18;11:769683. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2021.769683. eCollection 2021. Front Oncol. 2021. PMID: 34869002 Free PMC article.
-
The Effects of Diet and Exercise on Endogenous Estrogens and Subsequent Breast Cancer Risk in Postmenopausal Women.Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2021 Sep 20;12:732255. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2021.732255. eCollection 2021. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2021. PMID: 34616366 Free PMC article.
Publication types
MeSH terms
Substances
LinkOut - more resources
Full Text Sources
Medical