Diet-dependent acid load and the risk of breast cancer: A case-control study

Abstract

Background & aims: Dietary acid load causes metabolic acidosis, which leads to inflammation and cell change, both of which are related to cancer development. Even though a high acid load has been associated with an increased risk of breast cancer (BC), epidemiologic evidence correlating diet-dependent acid load and cancer risk, particularly for BC, is still lacking. As a result, we intend to investigate its potential role.

Methods: The potential renal acid load (PRAL) and net endogenous acid production (NEAP) scores were calculated in this case-control study using the dietary intake of individuals as determined by a verified FFQ. Logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs), which were adjusted for probable confounders.

Results: Using multivariate logistic regression models, the odds ratios (OR) of BC according to quartiles of PRAL and NEAP scores revealed that neither PRAL (P-trend = 0.53) nor NEAP (P-trend = 0.19) scores were significantly associated with BC risk. Multiple logistic regressions remained non-significant after controlling for covariates, indicating no significant relationships between PRAL (P-trend = 0.96) and NEAP (trend = 0.45) scores and the odds of BC.

Conclusion: According to the findings of our study, there is no relation between DAL and the risk of BC in Iranian women.

Keywords: Breast cancer; DAL; Dietary acid load; NEAP; PRAL.