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CommentaryHigh Protein and Cancer This letter to the editor ran Jan. 25, 2007 in the Whittier Daily News. To the Editor: The evidence against meat-heavy, high-protein diets keeps mounting. A new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that high protein intakes are associated with an increased risk of cancer. Physically active people with less-than-average protein intakes have lower levels of the hormone substances associated with premenopausal breast and prostate cancer, such as insulin-like growth factor1 (IGF-1). The study's "low-protein" group consumed the recommended amount of daily protein from plant sources and had significantly lower blood levels of IGF-1 than the runners and the sedentary group, who both ate a diet high in meat and dairy products. A plant-based diet rich in whole grains and beans provides plenty of protein to meet the body's needs while avoiding the problems associated with high protein intake, such as decreased kidney function, calcium loss and cancer. More and more studies are showing that food and lifestyle choices can dramatically affect our health. By opting for low-fat, vegetarian fare and eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, we can give ourselves a better chance of avoiding cancer altogether. Sincerely,
Jennifer K. Reilly, R.D.
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