Patterns of Nutrient Intake in Relation to Gastric Cancer: A Case Control Study

Association between priori and posteriori dietary patterns and gastric cancer risk: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

An increasing number of epidemiological studies have explored the relationship between the risk of gastric cancer and specific dietary patterns, but the findings remain inconclusive. We, therefore, performed this comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis to analyze the available evidence regarding the associations between a priori and a posteriori dietary patterns and the risk of gastric cancer. A systematic search of six electronic databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCO, Scopus, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wanfang Data, was carried out to retrieve the relevant articles published up to March 2024. Thirty-six studies (10 cohort and 26 case-control studies) with a total of 2 181 762 participants were included in the final analyses. Combining 15 effect sizes extracted from 12 articles, we observed a reduced risk of gastric cancer in the highest versus the lowest categories of the Mediterranean diet [relative risk (RR), 0.72; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.61-0.85; P < 0.001]. Combining 11 effect sizes from 10 articles (involving 694 240 participants), we found that the highest Dietary Inflammatory Index scores were significantly associated with an increased risk of gastric cancer (RR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.11-1.57; P < 0.001). A reduced risk of gastric cancer was shown for the highest compared with the lowest categories of healthy dietary pattern (RR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.67-0.91; P = 0.002). Conversely, the highest adherence to the Western dietary pattern was associated with an increased risk of gastric cancer (RR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.19-1.49; P < 0.001). Our study demonstrated that the Mediterranean diet and a healthy dietary pattern were associated with a decreased risk of gastric cancer. Conversely, the Dietary Inflammatory Index and Western dietary pattern were associated with an increased risk of gastric cancer.

Modifiable risk factors for cancer in the middle East and North Africa: a scoping review

PURPOSE

This scoping review examines controllable predisposing factors attributable to cancer in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region's adult population, highlighting opportunities to enhance cancer prevention programs.

DESIGN

We systematically searched the PubMed, Science Direct, and CINAHL, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases from 1997 to 2022 for articles reporting on the impact of modifiable risk factors on adult patients with cancer in the MENA region.

RESULTS

The review identified 42 relevant articles, revealing that tobacco consumption, obesity, physical inactivity, and diet are significant modifiable risk factors for cancer in the region. Tobacco smoking is a leading cause of lung, bladder, squamous cell carcinoma, and colorectal cancer. A shift towards a westernized, calorie-dense diet has been observed, with some evidence suggesting that a Mediterranean diet may be protective against cancer. Obesity is a known risk factor for cancer, particularly breast malignancy, but further research is needed to determine its impact in the MENA region. Physical inactivity has been linked to colorectal cancer, but more studies are required to establish this relationship conclusively. Alcohol consumption, infections, and exposure to environmental carcinogens are additional risk factors, although the literature on these topics is limited.

CONCLUSION

The review emphasizes the need for further research and the development of targeted cancer prevention strategies in the MENA region.

Nutrient patterns and risk of diabetes mellitus type 2: a case-control study

BACKGROUNDS

Although the significance of diet in preventing or managing diabetes complications is highlighted in current literature, there is insufficient evidence regarding the correlation between nutrient patterns and these complications. The objective of this case-control study is to investigate this relationship by analyzing the dietary intake of nutrients in participants with and without type 2 diabetes (T2D).

METHODS

A case-control study was conducted at the Tabriz Center of Metabolism and Endocrinology to investigate the relationship between nutrient patterns and type 2 diabetes (T2D). The study enrolled 225 newly diagnosed cases of T2D and 225 controls. The dietary intake of nutrients was assessed using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Principal component analysis using Varimax rotation was used to obtain nutrient patterns. Logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate the risk of T2D.

RESULTS

The participants' mean (SD) age and BMI were 39.8 (8.8) years and 27.8 (3.6) kg/m2, respectively. The results identified three major nutrient patterns. The first nutrient pattern was characterized by high consumption of sucrose, animal protein, vitamin E, vitamin B1, vitamin B12, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, and potassium. The second nutrient pattern included fiber, plant protein, vitamin D, Riboflavin, Vitamin B5, copper, and Magnesium. The third nutrient pattern was characterized by fiber, plant protein, vitamin A, riboflavin, vitamin C, calcium, and potassium. Individuals in the highest tertile of nutrient pattern 3 (NP3) had a lower risk of T2D compared to those in the lowest tertile after adjusting for confounders. The odds ratio was 0.52 with a 95% confidence interval of 0.30-0.89 and a P_trend of 0.039.

CONCLUSION

This study found that conforming to a nutrient pattern consisting of plant protein, vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin B2, potassium, and calcium is linked to a lower likelihood of developing T2D.The initial results suggest that following a nutrient pattern that includes these nutrients may reduce the risk of T2D. However, further research is required to confirm the relationship between nutrient patterns and T2D.