Search resultsAlcohol and dietary fibre intakes affect circulating sex hormones among premenopausal women
Title
Alcohol and dietary fibre intakes affect circulating sex hormones among premenopausal women
Publication type
Journal Article
Year of Publication
2006
Authors
Journal
Public Health Nutrition
Volume
9
Issue
7
Pagination
875 - 881
Date published
2006
ISBN
13689800 (ISSN)
Keywords
Adolescent, Adult, alcohol, alcohol consumption, Alcohol Drinking, Androgens, androstenedione, article, blood sampling, Breast cancer risk, Breast Neoplasms, Cereals, controlled study, Diet Surveys, dietary fiber, Dietary fibre, dietary intake, Estradiol, Estrogens, estrone, Female, fruit, Gonadal Steroid Hormones, grain, hormone blood level, human, Humans, Premenopausal women, premenopause, priority journal, progesterone, questionnaire, Questionnaires, radioimmunoassay, Risk Factors, sex hormone, sex hormone binding globulin, Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin, Sex Hormones, vegetable, Vegetables
Abstract
Background: The association of alcohol and fibre intake with breast cancer may be mediated by circulating sex hormone levels, which are predictors of breast cancer risk. Objective: To evaluate the relationship of alcohol and dietary fibre intake with circulating sex hormone levels among premenopausal women. Methods: A total of 205 premenopausal women completed a validated food-frequency questionnaire at baseline and after 2 years; blood samples taken at the same time were analysed for circulating sex hormone concentrations, including oestrone (E1), oestradiol (E2), free E 2, progesterone, androstenedione and sex hormone-binding globulin, by radioimmunoassay. We used mixed models to estimate least-square means of sex hormone concentrations for alcohol intake categories and quartiles of dietary intake. Results: After adjustment for covariates, alcohol consumption was moderately associated with higher circulating oestrogen levels; those who consumed more than one drink per day had 20% higher E2 (P trend = 0.07) levels than non-drinkers. In contrast, higher dietary fibre intake was associated with lower serum levels of androstenedione (-8% between the lowest and highest quartiles of intake, Ptrend = 0.06), but not oestrogens. Similarly, consumption of fruits (-12%, Ptrend = 0.03), vegetables (-9%, Ptrend = 0.15) and whole grains (-7%, P trend = 0.07) showed inverse associations with androstenedione levels. Conclusions: The consistency of the observed differences in sex hormone levels associated with alcohol and fibre-rich foods indicates that these nutritional factors may affect sex hormone concentrations and play a role in breast cancer aetiology and prevention.