Serum antioxidant capacity, biochemical profile and body composition of breast cancer survivors in a randomized Mediterranean dietary intervention study

• Published in: European journal of nutrition Vol. 57; no. 6; pp. 2133 - 2145
• Main Authors: Skouroliakou, Maria, Grosomanidis, D., Massara, P., Kostara, C., Papandreou, P., Ntountaniotis, D., Xepapadakis, G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.09.2018; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Antioxidants; Antioxidants - metabolism; Ascorbic acid; Biochemistry; Body Composition; Body fat; Body Mass Index; Body weight; Breast cancer; Breast Neoplasms - metabolism; Cancer Survivors; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Cholesterol; Diet, Mediterranean; Dietary intake; Female; Greece; High density lipoprotein; Humans; Middle Aged; Nutrition; Nutrition research; Original Contribution; Physical activity; Polyunsaturated fatty acids; Post-menopause; Vitamin A; Vitamin C; Vitamin E; Greece; Dietary antioxidants; Breast cancer survivors; Mediterranean diet; Biochemical profile; Body composition
• ISSN: 1436-6207; 1436-6215
• DOI: 10.1007/s00394-017-1489-9

Purpose Increasing evidence suggests that Mediterranean Diet (MD) is correlated with reduced risk of breast cancer (BC) and cancer mortality, since it modifies patients’ serum antioxidant capacity, body composition and biochemical parameters. The aim of the study was to investigate whether a dietary intervention based on MD has a beneficial effect on these factors. Methods In this intervention study, seventy female BC survivors were randomly assigned to (1) the intervention group (personalized dietary intervention based on MD) and (2) the control group (received the updated American Cancer Society Guidelines on Nutrition and Physical Activity for Cancer Prevention and ad libitum diet). Both groups were assessed twice [beginning, end of study (after 6 months)] regarding their anthropometric and biochemical parameters, serum vitamin C, vitamin A, a-tocopherol and CoQ10 levels, dietary intake and adherence to MD. An additional intermediate analysis was conducted on participants’ body composition and biochemical profile. Results Concerning the intervention group, body weight, body fat mass, waist circumference, body mass index as well as HDL-cholesterol were significantly decreased ( P  < 0.2%). An increase was observed in the vitamin C levels in blood ( P  < 0.2%). In the control group, body weight, body fat mass and serum total cholesterol rose ( P  < 0.2%). At the end of the study the two groups were significantly different considering blood glucose, vitamin C, polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamin A and a-tocopherol levels. Conclusions This randomized dietary intervention based on MD managed to ameliorate serum antioxidant capacity, body composition, adherence to MD and glycemic profile of postmenopausal BC survivors.