THE CHINA STUDY: A CLOSER LOOK AT BREAST CANCER RISK, HORMONES & DIET

Jessica Agee, Meredith Bowers, Deletra Harmon, Stevie Leonard, Brittany Nelson & Jamie Womack

INTRODUCTION

The China Study

THESIS

Does an animal based diet elevate sex hormones?

THESIS(CONTD.)

Are hormone levels related to greater breast cancer risk?

DIET AND HORMONES

“Diet and Sex Hormones in Girls” Dorgan, Hunsberger, McMahon, Kwiterovich,

Lauer, Van Horn, Lasser, Stevens, …Taylor Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial Adolescent girls consumed low-fat, low

animal-based foods for seven yrs. Results: diet lowered estrogen levels (20-

30%) Limitations

DIET AND HORMONES

“Dietary Fat Reduction and Plasma Estradiol Concentration in Healthy Postmenopausal Women” Prentice, Thompson, Clifford, Gorbach, Goldin &

Byar 73 postmenopausal women Results: when consumption of daily dietary

fat fell upwards to 50%, levels of estrogen went down

Limitations

DIET AND HORMONES

“Changes in Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin, Insulin, and Serum Lipids in Postmenopausal Women on a Low-Fat, High-Fiber Diet Combined with Exercise” Tumchuk, Tessler & Banard

Does a low-fat, high-fiber diet with exercise affect post-menopausal women’s hormone levels?

Results: SHBG levels increased Insulin decreased Serum lipid levels decreased

Limitations

DIET AND HORMONES

“Reduction of Serum Estradiol in Postmenopausal Women Given Free Access to a Low Fat, High Carbohydrate Diet” Heber, Ashley, Leaf & Barnard

Thirteen postmenopausal women had access to a low-fat diet

Results: estrogen levels decreased Limitations

HORMONES AND BREAST CANCER

“Reproductive Factors and Breast Cancer” Kelsey, Gammon, John

A literary review Examines correlation with increased

estrogen levels and risks of breast cancer No Results Limitations

HORMONES AND BREAST CANCER

“Western diet and western diseases: some hormonal and biochemical mechanisms and association” H. Adlercruetz

Literary Review Connections between diet and Western diseases

Results: A Western diet with high-fat and protein intake and a low intake of fiber and complex carbohydrates and whole grains is associated with high plasma sex hormone levels

Limitations

CONCLUSION

Outdated Irrelevant Not generalizable Correlation Doesn’t prove causation

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