Dietary Insulin Index and Insulin Load and Risk of Cancers: A Systematic Review of Cohort Studies

Introduction: It is believed that diets high in Insulin index (II) and Insulin load (IL) are associated with the increased risks of cancers, through increasing serum insulin levels and hence, enhancing cancer cell proliferation. We aimed to investigate this association through a systematic review of cohort studies. Methods: Two separate investigators conducted a literature search through PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Cohort studies published from inception to May ۲۰۲۱ that reported cancer (including colorectal, bladder, breast, endometrium, liver, pancreas, and prostate cancers) incidence risk estimates for II and IL were included. Results: Six cohorts investigating II and IL in breast, colorectal (۲ studies), pancreatic, endometrial and prostate cancer were identified. No significant association was found between pancreatic, endometrial, colorectal, breast and prostate cancer and II in any of the included studies. Conclusion: Despite recent evidence which supports the role of insulin in enhancing tumor cell proliferation through the tyrosine kinase growth factor cascade, this systematic review of literature failed to find a significant association between II and IL of the diet and incidence risk of cancers. However, there is a lack of evidence for or against II and IL for the initiation of cancer due to the limited number of cohort studies. Hence, promotion of a diet low in II and IL to the public for cancer prevention is not justified.

کلیدواژه ها:

Cancer ، Diet ، Insulin ، Dietary Insulin Index ، Dietary Insulin Load