Relation of energy, fat, and fiber intakes to plasma concentrations of estrogens and androgens in premenopausal women

Am J Clin Nutr. 1996 Jul;64(1):25-31. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/64.1.25.

Abstract

To evaluate whether diet may influence the incidence of hormone-dependent cancers through an effect on blood estrogen and androgen concentrations, we analyzed diet-blood hormone relations in a cross-sectional study. Dietary energy, fat, and fiber intakes were estimated from 7-d food records completed by 90 premenopausal women on days 14-20 of their menstrual cycles. Fasting blood specimens were collected on days 5-7, 12-15, and 21-23 of each participant's cycle and pooled to create follicular-, midcycle-, and luteal-phase samples, respectively, for analysis. Energy intake was associated inversely with plasma androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), averaged across the three menstrual cycle phases, and directly with the probability of a luteal-phase rise in progesterone. For each additional 1 MJ (239 kcal) consumed, androstenedione decreased by 6.0% (95% CI: -8.4%, -3.6%), DHEAS decreased by 5.1% (95% CI: -9.6%, -0.4%), and the probability of a progesterone rise increased by 60% (95% CI: 5%, 145%). After energy intake was adjusted for, the ratio of polyunsaturated to saturated fat (P:S) in the diet was significantly inversely associated with plasma estradiol and estrone during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. For each 0.1 increment in the P:S, there was a 7.6% (95% CI: -14.3%, -0.5%) decrease in estradiol and a 6.8% (95% CI: -12.7%, -0.6%) decrease in estrone. Results of this cross-sectional study support a relation between both energy and fat ingestion and plasma sex hormone concentrations in premenopausal women.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Androgens / blood*
  • Androstenedione / blood
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Dehydroepiandrosterone / analogs & derivatives
  • Dehydroepiandrosterone / blood
  • Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate
  • Dietary Fats / administration & dosage*
  • Dietary Fats, Unsaturated / administration & dosage
  • Dietary Fiber / administration & dosage*
  • Energy Intake*
  • Estradiol / blood
  • Estrogens / blood*
  • Estrone / blood
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Luteal Phase / blood
  • Premenopause / blood*
  • Progesterone / blood

Substances

  • Androgens
  • Dietary Fats
  • Dietary Fats, Unsaturated
  • Dietary Fiber
  • Estrogens
  • Estrone
  • Androstenedione
  • Dehydroepiandrosterone
  • Progesterone
  • Estradiol
  • Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate