Nutrition & Cancer

P.K.Suresh
• 30-40% of all cancers can be
prevented by appropriate
diets, physical activity, and
maintenance of appropriate
body weight.
Overconsumption of Energy (Calories)

• Additional risks of
malignancies caused by
obesity
• By the protective effect of
eating less food.
 Obesity

• Increased risk for certain cancers

• Several cancers can be avoided

IF THE adult population all
maintained a normal weight
(BMI < 25.0).
 Calorie Restriction
• CRON –Calorie Restriction with Optimal Nutrition –eat a reduced amount of
food (about 70-80 percent of the amount required to maintain “normal” body
weight) –still consuming all the necessary amounts of vitamins, minerals, and
other necessary nutrients –increase in life-span extension – a decrease in
chronic diseases.

• Meta analysis of 14 experimental studies -55% reduction in spontaneous

cancer in laboratory animals.

• Calorie restriction inhibited induced mammary tumors in mice and

suppressed implanted tumor growth and prolonged survival in energy-
restricted mice.

• Swedish women –hospitalized for anorexia nervosa prior to age 40-23% lower
incidence of breast cancer for nulliparous women and a 76% lower incidence
for parous women.
 Glucose Metabolism
• Concentrated/Refined Sugar/Refined flour products
• Glycemic Index – blood sugar response of our body to a
standardized amount of carbohydrate in a food.
• Association of high glycemic index and cancer
• Glycated hemoglobin – better indicator of the glucose
load
• Elevated fasting glucose, elevated insulin; 2 hours later
(oral glucose tolerance test – glucose and insulin levels)
–increased risk of colo-rectal cancer.
 Low Fiber
• Dairy products, eggs and meat all have this in
common –they contain no fiber.
• There was an inverse correlation between
vegetable, fruit and whole grain plant food
intake and rectal cancer, while refined grains
were associated with increased risk for rectal
cancer.
 Red Meat
Meta analysis also found
red meat, and processed
meat, to be significantly
associated with colorectal
cancer.
Breast Cancer and Omega 3:6 Ratio
 Flax Seeds
• Excellent source of dietary fiber, omega 3 fat (as alpha
linolenic acid) and lignans.

• Lignans –flax seed –metabolized in the digestive tract

–enterodiol and enterolactone –oestrogenic activity.

• Flax seeds –more potent source of phytoestrogens

than soy products –flax seed intake caused a bigger
change in the excretion of 2-hydroxyestrone
compared to soy protein.
 Flax Seeds
• A pilot study of 25 men –prostatectomy
surgery –low-fat diet (20% or less of energy
intake) + 30g of ground flax seed/day

• Mean proliferation index of the

experimental group was significantly lower
and apoptotic indexes higher compared to
historical matched controls.
 Fruits & Vegetables
• Greater consumption of fruits and vegetables

• Allium vegetables, carrots, green vegetables,

cruciferous vegetables, and tomatoes –fairly
consistent protective effect.
 Cruciferous vegetables

• Broccoli, Cauliflower,
Cabbage, Brussel
Sprouts contain
sulforaphane –
anticancer properties.
Selenium
Prospective Nested Case Control Studies
of Selenium and Prostate Cancer
 Chlorophyll

• Effective at binding PAHs, heterocyclic amines,

aflatoxin and other hydrophobic molecules.

• Chlorophyll-carcinogen complex swept out

with the feces.
 Protective effects
• Folate and Colon/Rectal Cancer
• Alcohol – antagonist of folate
• Genetic polymorphism in the methylene
tetrahydrofolate reductase and the methionine
synthase genes –increase the relative amount of
folate available for DNA synthesis and repair also
reduces the risk of colon cancer.
https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/vitamins/folate
Prospective Studies of Folate and Breast
Cancer
Vitamin D
Prospective Studies of Vitamin D and Cancer
Study of Carotenoids & Lung Cancer
Study of Carotenoids & Lung Cancer
Probiotics
Probiotics