Abstract

There is evidence that specific nutrients may modify hormonal balance and contribute to breast cancer etiology. To investigate the relationship between dietary nutrients and plasma reproductive hormones and to determine hormone-nutrient interrelationships, we measured plasma estrogens, androgens. progesterone and prolactin levels in 10 premenopausal Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) vegetarian and 10 premenopausal SDA nonvegetarian women. Over three days in each of three consecutive months. diet records and fasting midluteal blood samples were collected. The nonvegetarians consumed significantly more protein, total and saturated fats, oleic and linoleic acids, and cholesterol than did the vegetarians. Hormonal status of the two groups did not differ significantly. However, for nonvegetarians, prolactin levels were positively correlated with dietary energy, protein, total fat, saturated fat, and oleic acid. Prolactin has been associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. Consequently, our findings of a relationship between dietary nutrients and prolactin levels suggest the possibility that breast cancer risk may be modified through dietary intervention. Further study of the influence of specific dietary nutrients on the basal level of prolactin secretion is warranted.

Department

Nutrition

School

Graduate School

First Advisor

Terry D. Shultz

Second Advisor

James Blankenship

Third Advisor

Paul Y. Yahiku

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Degree Level

M.S.

Year Degree Awarded

1986

Date (Title Page)

9-1986

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Prolactin; Diet Therapy; Breast Neoplasms

Type

Thesis

Page Count

iii; 29

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

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