Dietary Modulation of Growth Hormones and Cancer Prevention
Exploring the intersection of diet and cancer prevention, recent research highlights how certain eating patterns, notably calorie restriction (CR) and fasting, may mitigate cancer risks. These dietary strategies have demonstrated promising results in enhancing lifespan and healthspan in rodents by manipulating key hormonal pathways. Central to these benefits is the reduction of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) activity, which are pivotal in the aging and development of cancer.
Intermittent fasting (IF), periodic fasting (PF), and fasting-mimicking diets (FMDs) are particularly effective in these hormonal modulations. The nuanced approach of alternating between low and normal hormone levels appears optimal for promoting longevity and maintaining physiological function. This adaptability in dietary regimen offers a potential blueprint for not just cancer prevention but also for the broader management of age-related disorders.
The research furthers our understanding of how dietary choices influence cancer biology through hormonal pathways, suggesting a proactive approach to disease prevention through manageable lifestyle changes. It underscores the role of nutrition in not just maintaining general health but also in configuring our body’s hormonal environment to stave off diseases like cancer, emphasizing the need for further human studies to translate these findings into practical dietary guidelines.
Article Information
Nutrition, GH/IGF-1 signaling, and cancer
Published in Endocrine-Related Cancer. Fanti M. et al.
Abstract
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States and among the most prevalent diseases globally, with an incidence expected to grow because of smoking, pollution, poor dietary habits, obesity, and the rise in the older population. Given their ability to reduce risk factors, albeit with varying efficacy, nutrition and fasting could help prevent cancer and other age-related disorders. Calorie restriction (CR), various forms of intermittent fasting (IF) or periodic fasting (PF), and fasting-mimicking diets (FMDs) have been shown to improve health span, increase lifespan, and prevent or postpone cancer in rodents. The effects of specific diets and fasting regimens on aging and cancer appear to be mediated in part by the reduction in the activity of the growth hormone (GH)/insulin-like-growth-factor-I (IGF-1) axis. Nevertheless, recent data indicate that the alternation of low and normal levels of these hormones and factors may be ideal for optimizing longevity and function. Here, we review the role of nutrition, CR, and fasting/FMD on cancer, focusing on the hypothesis that the modulation of GH, IGF-1, and insulin signaling partly mediates the effect of these dietary interventions on cancer prevention.
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