Dietary Fat,Cooking Fat,and Breast Cancer Risk in a Multiethnic Population

Our objective was to examine the association between dietary fat intake, cooking fat usage, and breast cancer risk in a population-based, multiethnic, case-control study conducted in the San Francisco Bay area. Intake of total fat and types of fat were assessed with a food frequency questionnaire among 1,703 breast cancer cases diagnosed between 1995 and 1999 and 2,045 controls. In addition, preferred use of fat for cooking was assessed. Unconditional logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). High fat intake was associated with increased risk of breast cancer (highest vs. lowest quartile, adjusted OR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.10–1.65, P _trend < 0.01). A positive association was found for oleic acid (OR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.14–2.10, P _trend < 0.01) but not for linoleic acid or saturated fat. Risk was increased for women cooking with hydrogenated fats (OR = 1.58, 95% CI = 1.20–2.10) or vegetable/corn oil (rich in linoleic acid; OR = 1.30, 95% CI = 1.06–1.58) compared to women using olive/canola oil (rich in oleic acid). Our results suggest that a low-fat diet may play a role in breast cancer prevention. We speculate that monounsaturated trans fats may have driven the discrepant associations between types of fat and breast cancer.     

Dietary Intake of Soy Protein and Tofu in Association With Breast Cancer Risk Based on a Case-Control Study

Soy food and its constituents may protect against breast cancer, but the association between soy intake and decreased breast cancer risk is inconsistent. We evaluated the relationship between breast cancer risk and the dietary intake of soy protein as measured by total soy food and tofu intake. Histologically confirmed cases ( n = 362) were matched to controls by age (within 2 yr) and menopausal status. High soy protein intake was associated with reduced breast cancer risk in analyses adjusted for potential confounders including dietary factors among premenopausal women (odds ratio [OR] = 0.39 in the highest quintile, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.22–0.93, P for trend = 0.03) and postmenopausal women (OR = 0.22, 95% CI = 0.06–0.88, P for trend = 0.16). We also found an inverse association between total tofu intake and breast cancer risk among premenopausal women (for total tofu intake, OR = 0.23 in the highest quintile, 95% CI = 0.11–0.48, P for trend < 0.01; for at least 1 serving of tofu as the main ingredient per day, OR = 0.26, 95% CI = 0.13–0.55, P for trend < 0.01). We concluded that increased regular soy food intake at a level equivalent to traditional Korean consumption levels may be associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer, and this effect is more pronounced in premenopausal women.     

Intake of Vitamins D and A and Calcium and Risk of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: San Francisco Bay Area Population-Based Case-Control Study

Several nutrients identified as potentially cancer protective have been inconsistently associated with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) risk. Dietary history data, including use of vitamin supplements, were collected using a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire administered during in-person interviews with 4,133 participants (2,052 cases, 2,081 controls) in a San Francisco Bay Area population-based case-control study. Data were used to determine the association of intake levels of vitamins D and A and calcium with risk of NHL and NHL subtypes. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were computed as estimates of relative risk using adjusted unconditional logistic regression. Increasing vitamin D intake from food and supplements was positively associated with NHL risk in men (5th quintile: OR = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.0–2.4, P _trend = 0.07) and with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in women and men (5th quintile: OR = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.0–2.5, P _trend = 0.02); that was largely due to the effect in men (P _trend = 0.03). These results do not support a strong role for vitamin D intake with NHL risk, with the exception of a potential association for DLBCL risk in men. Our results should be interpreted conservatively until further investigation in larger pooled studies can be conducted to better assess the role of vitamin D intake in lymphomagenesis.     

Plasma Carotenoids and Retinol and Overall and Breast Cancer Risk: A Nested Case-Control Study

Experimental studies suggest that carotenoids and retinol may play a role in carcinogenesis, but epidemiological evidence is lacking. We investigated the prospective associations between plasma concentrations of major carotenoids and retinol, and overall and breast cancer risk. A nested case-control study included all first incident cancer cases diagnosed in the SU.VI.MAX cohort between 1994 and 2002 (n = 159 cases, 1 matched control/case). Baseline plasma concentrations of carotenoids and retinol were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. Conditional logistic regression was used to assess odds ratios for an increase of 0.1 μmol/L [odds ratio (OR)] and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Plasma β-carotene (OR = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.90–0.99, P_trend = 0.04) and β-cryptoxanthin concentrations (OR = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.81–0.99, P_trend = 0.03) were inversely associated with overall cancer risk. Plasma β-cryptoxanthin concentration was inversely associated with breast cancer risk (OR = 0.83, 95% CI = 0.71–0.96, P_trend = 0.02). The OR between plasma lycopene concentration and overall cancer risk was 1.07 (0.99–1.15), P_trend = 0.06. This association turned significant (P_trend = 0.01) when excluding cancer cases diagnosed during the first year of follow-up. This prospective study suggests an inverse association between plasma concentrations of β-cryptoxanthin and both overall and breast cancer risk, and an inverse association between β-carotene and overall cancer risk. The direct association between lycopene concentration and cancer risk deserves further investigation.     

Physical Activity,Diet, and Pancreatic Cancer: A Population-Based,Case-Control Study in Minnesota

Although mounting evidence suggests that insulin resistance is involved in pancreatic carcinogenesis, few epidemiologic studies have comprehensively investigated the role of lifestyle factors influencing this metabolic disorder in the etiology of pancreatic cancer. We sought to examine this problem in a case-control study conducted in 1994–1998 in Minnesota. Cases (n = 186), aged 20 yr or older, were ascertained from all hospitals in the metropolitan area of the Twin Cities and the Mayo Clinic; from the latter, only cases residing in the Upper Midwest of the United States were recruited. Controls (n = 554) were randomly selected from the general population and frequency matched to cases by age (within 5 yr) and sex. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were estimated using unconditional logistic regression. After adjustment for confounders, physical activity was associated with a reduced risk, but this protective effect was confined to light activity and moderate activity only (OR = 0.55, 95% CI = 0.30–0.97, P _trend = 0.038 and OR = 0.51, 95% CI = 0.28–0.93, P _trend = 0.07, for highest vs. lowest quartile, respectively). An increased risk was found for dietary intakes of energy and fat but was statistically significant for saturated and polyunsaturated fat only. Of note, no appreciable difference in the magnitude of the associations existed between saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fat. Compared with individuals in the lowest quartile of fiber intake, the risk was approximately halved for those in the third (OR = 0.49, 95% CI = 0.26–0.94) and the highest quartile (OR = 0.52, 95% CI = 0.21–1.30). Our study lends support to the hypothesis that dietary and other lifestyle factors influencing insulin resistance modulate pancreatic cancer risk.     

Intake of Vegetables and Fruits and the Risk of Cataract Incidence in a Japanese Population: The Japan Public Health Center-Based Prospective Study

BackgroundAlthough the consumption of vegetables and fruits is reported to influence the risk of cataract, no prospective study of this association from Asia has yet appeared. Here, we investigated the association between vegetable and fruit intake and cataract incidence in a large-scale population-based prospective cohort study in Japan.MethodsThis study included 32,387 men and 39,333 women aged 45–74 years who had no past history of cataract and had completed a dietary questionnaire of the Japan Public Health Center-based Prospective Cohort Study. The incidence of cataract was evaluated after 5-year follow-up. We used multiple logistic regression analyses to estimate the sex-specific odds ratios (ORs), with adjustment for confounding factors.ResultsWe identified 1,836 incident cataracts in 594 men and 1,242 women. In men, the OR for cataract was decreased with higher intake of vegetables (OR_{Q5 vs Q1}, 0.77; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.59–1.01; P_trend across quartile categories = 0.03) and cruciferous vegetables (OR_{Q5 vs Q1}, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.57–0.96; P_trend = 0.02). In contrast, the OR for cataract was increased with higher intake of vegetables among women (OR_{Q5 vs Q1}, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.06–1.53; P_trend = 0.01). Green and yellow vegetable and fruit intake were not associated with cataract in either sex.ConclusionsThis study suggests that vegetables may reduce the risk of cataract in men, but not in women.Key words: food intake, cataract risk, food frequency questionnaire, prospective cohort study     

Healthier Dietary Pattern and Lower Risk of Metabolic Syndrome in Physically Active Postmenopausal Women

Objectives: To investigate the relationship between habitual physical activity and dietary intake, body composition, metabolic and hormonal variables, and cardiovascular risk factors in postmenopausal women with no evidence of cardiovascular disease.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 105 women (mean age: 55.2 ± 4.9 years) consulting for climacteric symptoms underwent anthropometric and hormonal assessment. Usual dietary intake was assessed with a food frequency questionnaire and habitual physical activity was assessed with a digital pedometer. Participants were classified as physically inactive (<6000 steps daily) or physically active (≥6000 steps daily).

Results: Compared to the inactive group, active women had higher protein, total fat, cholesterol, iron, calcium, and the antioxidant micronutrients zinc and selenium intake as well as differences on food groups: higher meat, egg, and whole-dairy intake and lower intake of chips. Active participants also presented lower diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.012), ultrasensitive C-reactive protein (us-CRP; p = 0.011), fasting glucose (p = 0.003), fasting insulin (p = 0.019), and homeostasis model assessment index (p = 0.017). After adjustment for age and time since menopause, the risk for metabolic syndrome increased with physical inactivity (odds ratio [OR] = 3.55, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08–11.66), us-CRP (OR = 6.57, 95% CI, 2.20–19.56), and percentage body fat (OR = 5.65, 95% CI, 1.19–28.89).

Conclusion: Both physical activity and dietary choices may have contributed toward a more favorable cardiovascular profile and lower risk of metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal women.     

Higher intake of carotenoid is associated with a lower risk of colorectal cancer in Chinese adults: a case–control study

Purpose

The associations between specific carotenoid intake and colorectal cancer risk remain inconsistent. The aim of this study was to examine the association between specific dietary carotenoid intake with colorectal cancer risk in Chinese adults.

Method

From July 2010 to October 2013, 845 eligible colorectal cancer cases and 845 frequency-matched controls (age and sex) completed in-person interviews. A validated food frequency questionnaire was used to estimate dietary intake. Multivariate logistical regression models were used to calculate the odds ratio (OR) and 95 % confidence intervals (95 % CIs) of colorectal cancer risk after adjusting for various confounders.

Results

A strong inverse association was found between β-cryptoxanthin intake and colorectal cancer risk. Compared with the lowest quartile, the highest quartile intake showed a risk reduction of 77 % (OR 0.23, 95 % CI 0.17–0.33, P _trend < 0.01) after adjustment for various confounding variables. The inverse associations were also observed for α-carotene (OR 0.50, 95 % CI 0.37–0.68, P _trend < 0.01), β-carotene (OR 0.67, 95 % CI 0.49–0.91, P _trend < 0.01), and lycopene (OR 0.51, 95 % CI 0.37–0.70, P _trend < 0.01). There was no statistically significant association between lutein/zeaxanthin intake and colorectal cancer risk. These findings were consistent across cancer site, sources of controls, and smoking status. The inverse associations between dietary α-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, and lycopene intake and colorectal cancer risk were found in both males and females, while inverse associations between β-carotene intake and colorectal cancer risk were only observed in males.

Conclusions

Consumption of α-carotene, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, and lycopene was inversely associated with colorectal cancer risk. No significant association was found between lutein/zeaxanthin intake and colorectal cancer risk.

     

Food Groups and Alcoholic Beverages and the Risk of Stomach Cancer: A Case-Control Study in Italy

To investigate the role of a wide range of foods and beverages on the risk of stomach cancer, we analyzed data from a case-control study carried out in Italy between 1997 and 2007 on 230 subjects with incident histologically confirmed stomach cancer (143 men and 87 women, age range 22–80 yr) and 547 controls (286 men and 261 women, age range 22–80 yr) admitted to hospital for acute, non-neoplastic diseases. Odds ratios (OR) of stomach cancer and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using unconditional multiple logistic regression models, adjusted for age, sex, energy intake, and other selected variables. A direct association with stomach cancer risk was observed for cereals (OR = 2.07, 95% CI = 1.01–4.24, for the highest compared to the lowest quintile of intake, P for trend = 0.03), soups (OR = 1.94, 95% CI = 1.10–3.42, P for trend = 0.05), and potatoes (OR = 2.04, 95% CI = 1.05–3.98, P for trend = 0.04). Conversely, inverse trends in risk were observed with vegetables (OR = 0.47, 95% CI = 0.27–0.81, P for trend = 0.01) and fruit intake (OR = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.30–0.93, P for trend = 0.08). The results of this study confirm a protective role of vegetables and fruit against stomach cancer and suggest a detrimental effect of (refined) cereals on this neoplasm.     

Dietary Vitamin D and Calcium Intake and Premenopausal Breast Cancer Risk in a German Case-Control Study

Epidemiological studies and laboratory data suggest that vitamin D may protect against the development of cancer, including breast cancer. Vitamin D supply affects the bioavailability of dietary calcium, which might also have anticarcinogenic effects. However, few studies considered them jointly. We used a population-based case-control study in Germany to examine the independent and joint effects of dietary vitamin D and calcium on premenopausal breast cancer risk. Dietary information was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire from 278 premenopausal cases and 666 age-matched controls. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using multivariate models adjusting vitamin D models for calcium intake and vice versa. Breast cancer risk was significantly inversely associated with vitamin D intake. The OR and 95% CI for the highest intake category (≥ 5 μ g/day) was 0.50 (95% CI = 0.26–0.96) compared with the lowest (< 2 μ g/day; P_trend = 0.02). Dietary calcium intake was not associated with breast cancer (OR = 0.73, 95% CI = 0.41–1.29) for the highest (≥ 1,300 mg/day) versus the lowest category (< 700 mg/day), P_trend = 0.29). No statistically significant interaction between the 2 nutrients was observed. Our data support a protective effect of dietary vitamin D on premenopausal breast cancer risk independent of dietary calcium intake.     

Snacking Behavior and Obesity among Female Adolescents in Isfahan,Iran

Background and Objective: The high prevalence of obesity in the pediatric age groups draws attention to lifestyle factors including diet and physical activity. Data on obesity in adolescents and their snacking behavior are conflicting. This study aimed to assess the association of snacking behavior and obesity among female adolescents in Isfahan, Iran.

Subjects and Design: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 265 female Isfahanian students who were chosen by systematic cluster random sampling. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated self-administered semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire that included 53 food items. Snacking behavior was defined by healthy snack score in combination with the frequency of snack intake.

Results: Individuals who consumed more healthy snacks and those with snacking frequency of 4 times a day or more had significantly lower weight, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference (p < 0.001). Decreased consumption of healthy snacks was significantly associated with a greater chance of being overweight, generally obese, and abdominally obese among adolescents (odds ratio [OR] = 1.98; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00–3.14, p_trend = 0.04 and OR = 2.10; 95% CI, 1.01–3.13, p_trend = 0.04, respectively). Frequency of snack intake was inversely related to overweight, general obesity, and abdominal obesity (OR = 3.23; 95% CI, 1.73–5.61, p_trend = 0.03 and OR = 1.84; 95% CI, 1.05–3.20, p_trend = 0.04, respectively). Healthy snack score in combination with frequency of snacking showed that those in the lowest tertile of snacking who consumed snacks less than 4 times/day had the highest risk of obesity compared to other categories (OR = 2.09, 95% CI, 1.11–3.20, p < 0.001).

Conclusion: More frequent consumption of healthy snacks is associated with decreased prevalence of overweight, general obesity, and abdominal obesity in adolescents. Further studies, in particular of a prospective nature, are required to examine this association in other populations.     

Soy milk and dairy consumption is independently associated with ultrasound attenuation of the heel bone among postmenopausal women: the Adventist Health Study-2

Soy milk has become a popular substitute for dairy milk with important health claims. We hypothesized that soy milk, based on its nutrient composition, is comparable to dairy products and, therefore, beneficial for bone health. To test this hypothesis, we examined the benefit of soy milk and dairy products intake on bone health using broadband ultrasound attenuation of the calcaneus. Postmenopausal white women (n = 337) who had completed a lifestyle and dietary questionnaire at enrollment into the Adventist Health Study-2 had their calcaneal broadband ultrasound attenuation measured 2 years later. The association between osteoporosis (defined as a T-score <−1.8) and some dietary factors (soy milk, dairy) and selected lifestyle factors was assessed using logistic regression. In a multivariable model adjusted for demographics, hormone use, and other dietary factors, osteoporosis was positively associated with age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.08; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06-1.12) and inversely associated with body mass index (OR = 0.91; 95% CI, 0.86-0.97) and current estrogen use (OR = 0.27; 95% CI, 0.13-0.56). Compared with women who did not drink soy milk, women drinking soy milk once a day or more had 56% lower odds of osteoporosis (OR = 0.44; 95% CI, 0.20-0.98; P_trend = .04). Women whose dairy intake was once a day or more had a 62% reduction in the likelihood of having osteoporosis (OR = 0.38; 95% CI, 0.17-0.86; P_trend = .02) compared with women whose dairy intake was less than twice a week. Among individual dairy products, only cheese showed an independent and significant protection (OR = 0.28; 95% CI, 0.12-0.66; P_trend = .004) for women eating cheese more than once per week vs those who ate cheese less than once a week. We concluded that osteoporosis is inversely associated with soy milk intake to a similar degree as dairy intake after accounting for age, body mass index, and estrogen use.     

Vegetable protein intake is associated with lower gallbladder disease risk: Findings from the Women's Health Initiative prospective cohort

ObjectiveThis study aimed to measure associations between gallbladder disease and protein intake patterns, separated by quantity and type (vegetable vs. animal), among postmenopausal women.MethodsAnalyses were based on 130,859 postmenopausal women enrolled from 1993 to 1998 at 40 U.S. clinical centers in the Women's Health Initiative clinical trials and observational study. Women were excluded if they reported a history of gallbladder disease prior to baseline. Cox proportional hazards regression models, adjusted for gallbladder disease risk factors, were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for associations between energy-adjusted protein intake and gallbladder disease.ResultsIn this study sample, 8.1% of postmenopausal women self-reported incident gallbladder disease. In multivariate analysis, women in the highest quintile of energy-adjusted vegetable protein intake (> 24.0 g/d) had a lower risk of gallbladder disease (HR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.81–0.93) as compared to women in the lowest quintile (< 16.3 g/d) (P_trend < 0.001). Total protein intake was modestly protective against gallbladder disease (P_trend < 0.021). Animal protein intake was not associated with gallbladder disease risk. The protective effect of vegetable protein held stable only for women without history of diabetes (HR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.80–0.92) and without recent weight loss (HR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.80–0.97).ConclusionsVegetable protein intake is inversely associated with gallbladder disease risk in our sample of postmenopausal women. In addition to weight management, healthcare providers could emphasize vegetable protein as an additional dietary modality to promote lower risk for gallbladder disease.     

Obesity and Excess Protein and Carbohydrate Consumption Are Risk Factors for Thyroid Cancer

Conflicting data concerning the association between obesity and differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) may be attributed to the lack of records showing dietary intake and inadequate evaluation of nutrient composition. We evaluated 115 DTC patients carefully paired with 103 healthy control individuals by using a structured questionnaire, including a 24-h recordatory during 3 days, to investigate calorie intake and macronutrient (proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids) composition of the diet. We observed that excess weight (body mass index > 25 kg/m²) increased individual susceptibility to DTC [odds ratio (OR) = 3.787; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.115–6.814; P < 0.0001). This augmented risk was evident in women (OR = 1.925; 95% CI = 1.110–3.338; P = 0.0259) but not in men (P = 0.3498). Excess calorie intake was more frequent in patients with DTC than in controls (OR = 5.890; 95% CI = 3.124–11.103; P < 0.0001), and both excess protein (OR = 4.601; 95% CI = 1.634–12.954; P = 0.0039) and carbohydrate (OR = 4.905; 95% CI = 2.593–9.278; P < 0.0001) consumption were associated with an increased risk of DTC, contrarily to lipid/fiber intake and physical activity (P = 0.894 and 0.5932, respectively). In conclusion, our data indicate that overweight and risk of DTC are associated with higher protein and carbohydrate consumption than the rates recommended by the World Health Organization. The nutritional orientation should be part of preventive strategy targets designed to combat the increasing incidence of both obesity and DTC.     

Associations of Calcium,Vitamin D,and Dairy Product Intakes with Colorectal Cancer Risk among Older Women: The Iowa Women’s Health Study

Calcium and, to a lesser extent, dairy products are consistently modestly inversely associated with colorectal cancer (CRC). Dairy products may contain components other than calcium and fat, such as insulin-like growth factor-1, that may affect CRC risk. In the prospective Iowa Women’s Health Study, calcium, dairy product, and vitamin D intakes were assessed using a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. To investigate dairy products independent of their calcium components, we estimated residuals from linear regression models of their associations with dietary calcium. Of the 35,221 55–69-year-old cancer-free women at baseline in 1986, 1,731 developed CRC during follow-up through 2012. For those in the highest relative to the lowest intake quintiles, the adjusted hazards ratios and 95% confidence intervals from multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models for overall and distal CRC were 0.81 (0.67–0.98; P_trend = 0.004) and 0.59 (0.44–0.80; P_trend = 0.003), respectively, for total calcium; and 0.79 (0.66–0.94; P_trend = 0.01) and 0.69 (0.53–0.90; P_trend = 0.003) for total dairy products, respectively. The various dairy product residuals were not associated with CRC. These results support that, among women, calcium and dairy products may be inversely associated with CRC—perhaps primarily distal CRC—but suggest that the non-calcium, non-fat component of dairy products may not be associated with CRC.     

Red Meat-Derived Heterocyclic Amines Increase Risk of Colon Cancer: A Population-Based Case-Control Study

Formation of mutagenic heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is one pathway believed to drive the association of colon cancer with meat consumption. Limited data exist on the associations of individual HCAs and PAHs in red or white meat with colon cancer. Analyzing data from a validated meat preparation questionnaire completed by 1062 incident colon cancer cases and 1645 population controls from an ongoing case-control study, risks of colon cancer were estimated using unconditional logistic regression models, comparing the fourth to the first quartile of mutagen estimates derived from a CHARRED based food frequency questionnaire. Total dietary intake of 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx) [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.87, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.44–2.44, P _trend < 0.0001], 2-amino-3,4,8-trimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (DiMeIQx) (aOR = 1.68, 95% CI = 1.29–2.17, P _trend = 0.001) and meat-derived mutagenic activity (aOR = 1.77, 95% CI = 1.36–2.30, P _trend < 0.0001) were statistically significantly associated with colon cancer risk. Meat type specific analyses revealed statistically significant associations for red meat-derived MeIQx, DiMeIQx, and mutagenic activity but not for the same mutagens derived from white meat. Our study adds evidence supporting red meat-derived, but not white-meat derived HCAs and PAHs, as an important pathway for environmental colon cancer carcinogenesis.     

“NQO1 Gene C609T Polymorphism (dbSNP: rs1800566) and Digestive Tract Cancer Risk: A Meta-Analysis.”

Several studies reported that polymorphism C609T (rs1800566) in (NAD(P)H): quinoneoxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) gene is associated with risk to digestive tract (DT) cancers, like esophageal cancer (EC), gastric cancer (GC), and colorectal cancer (CRC). Authors conducted a meta-analysis to investigate association between C609T polymorphism and DT cancer risk. Eligible studies were extracted from the databases of PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, and Springer Link. All retrieved articles were evaluated. All statistical analyses were performed using Open Meta-Analyst and MIX1.7 programs. A total of 34 studies including 12,043 DT cancer cases and 15,209 healthy controls were included in the present meta- analysis. Results of meta-analysis revealed a significant association between NQO1 C609T polymorphism and DT cancer risk adopting all 5 genetic models (T vs. C: OR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.11–1.31, p < 0.001; TT vs. CC: OR = 1.48, 95% CI = 1.22–1.79, p < 0.001; TT + CT vs. CC: OR = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.12–1.35, p < 0.001; TT vs. CT + CC: OR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.15–1.60, p < 0.001; CT vs. CC: OR = 1.16, 95% CI = 1.07–1.27, p < 0.001). In the stratified analysis based on cancer types, significant associations were observed between NQO1 C609T polymorphism and GC (OR = 1.38, 95% CI = 1.11–1.72, p = 0.003) and CRC (OR = 1.18, 95% CI = 1.06–1.30, p = 0.001), but not with EC (OR = 1.16, 95% CI = 0.99–1.35, p = 0.06). Furthermore, stratified analysis based on ethnicity indicated that there was a significant association between NQO1 C609T polymorphism and DT cancer risk in the Asian (TT vs. CC: OR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.21–2.00, p ≤ 0.001) as well as in Caucasian populations (TT vs. CC: OR = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.04–1.73, p = 0.02). In conclusion, the results of meta-analysis suggested that the NQO1 C609T polymorphism is a risk factor for DT cancers, including GC and CRC.     

Anthropometric Characteristics,Dietary Patterns and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Vietnam

Objective: To determine the impact of anthropometric characteristics and dietary patterns on Type 2 diabetes mellitus in Vietnam.

Methods: Data from 144 subjects (9m/39f newly diagnosed diabetics; 18m/78f control subjects) were analyzed in this case-control study. Height, weight, waist and hip circumferences and percent body fat were measured. Dietary intakes were assessed by 24-hour recall on three non-consecutive weekdays. Fasting blood samples were collected for the analysis of plasma glucose, fructosamine, protein and lipid concentrations.

Results: Although the body mass index (BMI, kg/m²) was similar between diabetic and control subjects, diabetic subjects had significantly greater percent body fat (31.1 ± 5.8% vs. 27.7 ± 6.2%) and waist-hip ratios (WHR, 0.91 ± 0.07 vs. 0.86 ± 0.08). Diabetic subjects had higher intakes of protein (p < 0.01), especially animal protein (p < 0.001), and consumed more meat (p < 0.01) than control subjects. Percent body fat and WHR were positively associated with diabetes (odds ratios [OR] 1.53 [95%CI 1.29–1.79] and 1.09 [95% CI 0.89–1.58], respectively) as were protein intake (OR 1.21 [95% CI 1.12–1.31]) and animal protein intake (OR 1.18 [95% CI 1.10–1.26]).

Conclusions: This study indicates that percent body fat and WHR are risk factors associated with diabetes even when the BMI is normal. Evolving dietary patterns with increasingly more protein and meat consumption may also contribute to the deterioration of glucose metabolism among Vietnamese people.     

Dairy Products and Cancer Risk in a Northern Sweden Population

Abstract

The role of dairy products in cancer is unclear. We assessed consumption of fermented milk, non-fermented milk, cheese, and butter, estimated from semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaires, in relation to prospective risk of breast, prostate, colorectal, smoking-, and obesity-related cancers in 101,235 subjects, including 12,552 cancer cases, in the population-based Northern Sweden Health and Disease Study. Most analyses (n?=?20) rendered null results. In men, we observed an increased prostate cancer risk among high-consumers of cheese (hazard ratio (HR) for highest vs. lowest quintile (Q5–Q1), 1.11; 95% CI, 0.97–1.27; P^trend?=?0.013). In women, high-consumers of cheese had a decreased risk of overall cancer (HR Q5–Q1, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.88–1.04; P^trend?=?0.039), smoking-related (HR Q5–Q1, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.72–0.97; P^trend ≤ 0.001), and colorectal cancers (HR Q5–Q1, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.63–1.07; P^trend?=?0.048). Butter yielded a weak decreased obesity-related cancer risk in women (HR Q5–Q1, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.81–1.02; P^trend?=?0.049). Fermented milk yielded HRs below zero in women, but with no clear linear associations. In conclusion, this study does not support any major adverse or beneficial effects of fermented milk, non-fermented milk, cheese, and butter in the diet from a cancer risk perspective.     

Association between Intake of Energy and Macronutrients and Memory Impairment Severity in US Older Adults,National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011–2014

Without a cure, dementia affects about 50 million people worldwide. Understanding the effects of dietary habits, a key lifestyle behavior, on memory impairment is critical to inform early behavioral modification to delay further memory loss and progression to dementia. We examined the associations of total energy intake and energy intake from macronutrients with memory impairment among older US adults using data from the nationally representative National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey study 2011–2014. A total of 3623 participants aged ≥60 years were analyzed. Comparing to those with low total energy intake, individuals with high intake were more likely to have severe memory impairment (OR: 1.52, 95% CI: 1.15 to 2.02; p_trend = 0.005). Specifically, higher energy intake from carbohydrate (OR: 1.59, 95% CI: 1.12 to 2.26) and sugar (OR: 1.54, 95% CI: 1.11 to 2.16) were both significantly associated with the presence of memory impairment. Additionally, higher energy intake from fat, carbohydrate and sugar were significantly associated with more server memory impairment (fat: p_trend = 0.04; carbohydrate: p_trend = 0.03; sugar: p_trend = 0.02). High energy intake, either total or from carbohydrates, fat or sugar, is associated with memory impairment severity in the older US population. No such association was found in energy intake from protein.