DIANA trials on diet and endogenous hormones
Berrino, F.; Bellati, C.; Ooldani, S.; Mastroianni, A.; Allegro, G.; Berselli, E.; Venturelli, E.; Cavalleri, A.; Cambié, M.; Pala, V.; Pasanisi, P.; Secreto, G.
IARC Scientific Publications 156: 439-444
2002
ISSN/ISBN: 0300-5038 PMID: 12484231 Document Number: 542918
The preliminary results of the DIANA 2 study are presented. 114 postmenopausal breast cancer patients [Italy] were enrolled in the study and were randomized into a dietary intervention (n=60) and a control group (n=55). The dietary intervention was designed to reduce the average plasma insulin level by increasing the consumption of low-glycaemic index-food, and monounsaturated and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and decreasing intake of highly refined carbohydrates and total saturated fat. The diet also involves augmentation of intake of phytooestrogen-rich foods. Patients in the control group received a general recommendation of increasing the consumption of fruit and vegetables but no specific dietary advice which the intervention group had. According to the food frequency diaries filled in during the first 3 months of the study, patients in the intervention group consume whole grain cereal products 4.5 times more frequently than control patients; soya products 2.2 times per day vs. less than 0.1 among controls; nuts and oleaginous seeds 4.2 times/day vs. 0.2 times in controls. Only intervention women used seaweeds as ingredients of various dishes. Intervention women also increased the consumption of legumes, cruciferous vegetables, onions or leeks and fish. Controls consumed meat or meat products, milk or dairy products, sweets and sweetened beverages more frequently. Body weight decreased in both study groups but intervention patients lost more weight than control patients did (3.51 kg vs. 0.77 kg). Waist and hip circumferences decreased significantly only in the intervention group.