High-carb diets may raise risk of breast cancer

[cally]

High-carb diets may increase more than just waistlines. New research suggests they might raise the risk of breast cancer.

Women in Mexico who ate a lot of carbohydrates were more than twice as likely to get breast cancer as those who ate less starch and sugar, scientists found.

The study is one of the few to examine how the popular but controversial low-carb diet craze might affect the odds of getting cancer, as opposed to its effects on cholesterol and heart disease.

The new findings also don't mean that it is safe or healthful to eat lots of meat, cheese or fats, as many people who go on low-carb diets do, experts say.

http://www.startribune.com/stories/484/4913750.html

[soleft]

1. Saw a guy on the Today Show - Refined Sugar is the key thing

Whole grains and fruits and stuff are not the problem. I hope people don't hear a sound bite on this and prolong the nightmare that is no carb extremism.

[cally]

2. When you read the study

It appears that noone know why this is. It may be increased estrogen when women are overweight, it may be spikes in blood sugars due to eating sugar and refined carbohydrates, or it may because the Mexican diet does not include many needed nutrients. Still, the study is fascinating.

[A_Possum]

3. Several studies of Italian women show cancer risk increased

"Starch was directly associated, and unsaturated fatty acids were inversely associated, with ovarian cancer risk."

abstract

"High intake of starch led to an increase of cancer risk (odds ratios for an addition of 100 kcal/day were 1.08 and 1.10 for breast and colorectal cancer respectively). A positive association was also found for saturated fat (odds ratios 1.16 for breast and 1.12 for colorectal cancer). High intakes of polyunsaturated fatty acids (chiefly derived from olive and seed oils) were protective more markedly for breast cancer. A possible interpretation of the risk for starch, implies the glycemic overload and hyperinsulinemia due to the high grade of refinement of cereals (the main source of starch) eaten in Italy."

abstract

"A large case-control study (2,569 women with breast cancer and 2,588 control women) carried out in Italy between 1991 and 1994 permits elucidation of breast cancer risk in relation to dietary patterns in a southern European population. Major findings include direct associations with the intake of bread and cereal dishes, sugar, and pork meat, and inverse associations with the intake of vegetable oils, raw vegetables, fish, beta-carotene, vitamin E, and calcium."

abstract

There's a lot more at PubMed if you search on Italian cancer carbohydrate diet

[jpgray]

4. It's not carbs that are bad, it is BAD carbs that are bad

This headline is lazy, irresponsible writing.