25th Aug 2004

With science, consumers and the media all abuzz about the high-carb/low-fat diet craze, there’s new evidence that shows women who eat lots of carbohydrates were more than twice as likely to suffer from breast cancer than those who limited them.

Researchers compared the diets of 475 women who were newly diagnosed with breast cancer with some 1,400 healthy women in Mexico City. Women filled out a lengthy food questionnaire widely used in nutritional studies and were placed in one of four categories based on the total percentage of their calories that came from carbohydrates.

Although much research has measured the effectiveness of high-carb diets in terms of weight loss, this study was unusual in that it looked at how sugar and starch intake affects one’s cancer risk. (A study performed last year noted a higher risk of breast cancer in younger women who ate lots of sweets.) How do carbs increase one’s risk of cancer? Scientists believe carbs may raise blood sugar rapidly, which creates a surge of insulin to be secreted, causing cancer cells to divide and leading to higher estrogen levels.

The women whose carb intake was highest (62 percent or more) were about 2.2 times more likely to succumb to breast cancer versus those whose intake was at 52 percent or under of their diets. In fact, the study found those who ate more fruit, vegetables and whole grains lessen their risk of breast cancer.

Some experts dispute the applicability of the results because the common carbohydrates Mexican women eat are derived from corn, including tortillas, soft drinks and bread. Nevertheless, U.S. breast cancer rates are among the highest worldwide, with some 132 cases reported for every 100,000 women. But, because the U.S. population is much older than Mexico, the risk of cancer domestically is higher.

Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention August 2004;Vol. 13, 1283-1289

Note from Robert S. Redfern

This includes all breads, pastry biscuits, breakfast cereals, white rice, potatoes, parsnips and pasta - even Organic Whole Grains. Cut them down then cut them out.

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