A Low-Glucose Eating Pattern Improves Biomarkers of Postmenopausal Breast Cancer Risk: An Exploratory Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Feasibility Trial

Abstract

Postmenopausal breast cancer is the most common obesity-related cancer death among women in the U.S. Insulin resistance, which worsens in the setting of obesity, is associated with higher breast cancer incidence and mortality. Maladaptive eating patterns driving insulin resistance represent a key modifiable risk factor for breast cancer. Emerging evidence suggests that time-restricted feeding paradigms (TRF) improve cancer-related metabolic risk factors; however, more flexible approaches could be more feasible and effective. In this exploratory, secondary analysis, we identified participants following a low-glucose eating pattern (LGEP), defined as consuming energy when glucose levels are at or below average fasting levels, as an alternative to TRF. Results show that following an LGEP regimen for at least 40% of reported eating events improves insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and other cancer-related serum biomarkers. The magnitude of serum biomarkers changes observed here has previously been shown to favorably modulate benign breast tissue in women with overweight and obesity who are at risk for postmenopausal breast cancer. By comparison, the observed effects of LGEP were similar to results from previously published TRF studies in similar populations. These preliminary findings support further testing of LGEP as an alternative to TRF and a postmenopausal breast cancer prevention strategy. However, results should be interpreted with caution, given the exploratory nature of analyses.

Dietary patterns and breast cancer risk, prognosis, and quality of life: A systematic review

“…In addition, a low-glucose diet, characterized by the intake of glucose equal to or lower than the average fasting level, improved insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and other cancer-related serum biomarkers in some studies, thereby favorably regulating postmenopausal obesity as a postmenopausal BC prevention strategy (79). Other dietary patterns that improve the prognosis and quality of life of BC patients, such as an anti-inflammatory diet, have been shown to improve the prognosis of BC patients by reducing cardiovascular mortality (25).…”

A nomogram for survival prediction in 275,812 U.S. patients with breast cancer: a population-based cohort study based on the SEER database

“…To date, nomograms have been widely applied in the personalized prediction of cancer, such lung, cervical, prostate, and hepatocellular carcinomas (7)(8)(9)(10)(11). To the best of our knowledge, several studies have reported risk factors associated with breast cancer (12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17). However, the nomogram based on significant factors that influence the survival of breast cancer in a large population has been rarely explored.…”

Translation of nutrigenomic research for personalised and precision nutrition for cancer prevention and for cancer survivors

“…Recent evidence from the Personalised Responses to Dietary Composition Trial (PREDICT) showed strong agreement between different continuous glucose monitoring devices, suggesting their potential for personalised/precision nutrition approaches to monitor glycaemic responses to foods and meals [ 133 ]. Following glucose-guided eating supported by the use of continuous glucose monitors led to significant weight loss, improvements in insulin sensitivity and reduction in biomarkers of cancer risk [ 134 ].…”