The Genesis Intermittent Diet

Back to media centre  |   Category: Latest News  |   Date: 5th Oct 2010

INTERMITTENT DIETING “CAN HELP WOMEN AT HIGH RISK OF BREAST CANCER".

Research by Dr Michelle Harvie, a Genesis Breast Cancer Prevention Appeal scientist (published in the International Journal of Obesity), has suggested that women at increased risk of breast cancer who follow a two day intermittent diet can successfully lose significant weight.

The findings are significant as there is strong evidence to suggest that excess body fat is an important risk factor for breast cancer. Genesis and others have previously reported that weight loss may reduce risk of breast cancer by up to 40 per cent*, though more research would be needed to confirm this.

The study was a joint venture funded by Breast Cancer Campaign, World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) and led by Dr Michelle Harvie, who is funded by the Genesis Breast Cancer Prevention Appeal. 50 overweight women, many with a family history of breast cancer, volunteered to follow the two day diet, while another 50 were prescribed a normal daily calorie restricted diet.

The intermittent diet restricts calorie intake for two days a week and allows a normal diet on the other days. Changes were assessed in the women's weight and in the levels of a number of blood hormones believed to be linked with breast cancer. Dr Michelle Harvie, a research dietitian from the Genesis Breast Cancer Prevention Centre and the only UK dietitian currently looking at the link between diet and preventing breast cancer, led the six month long study.

The results of the study produced effective weight loss results, with an average loss of six kilograms (13.2 pounds). Similar results were produced by women following the normal daily calorie restricted diet; the findings are important because they could give people who are overweight an alternative way to lose weight.

The intermittent diet also brought about significant reductions in blood levels of hormones linked with breast cancer. On average, the women saw a 40 per cent reduction in leptin, a 15 per cent reduction in inflammatory marker C-reactive protein and a 25 per cent reduction in insulin. The results for the reduction in these hormones were broadly similar to those for the daily calorie restricted diet.

Dr Harvie said: "A previous study we have published suggested that losing weight can reduce breast cancer risk by up to 40 per cent, which is why this new study could have implications for breast cancer. Despite the fact that losing weight is often deemed too difficult to achieve and maintain, the successful weight loss and reductions in hormones with the intermittent diet suggest that this approach is as good and effective as consistently dieting. Further studies, which look at the effects of these diets on breast cancer rates, would be needed to confirm the effectiveness of this approach for breast cancer prevention.”

The intermittent diet provided the women with 650 calories (kcal) in the form of two pints of semi-skimmed milk, four portions of vegetables (80g/portion), one portion of fruit, a salty low calorie drink and a multivitamin and mineral supplement.

Click on the links below for more information on:-

• The Genesis Diet Leaflet


• Two Day Intermittent Diet Trial


• Recipes


• What About Soy?


• Portion size for 1,500 days

The study is a continuation of the research conducted by Dr Harvie into diet and its effect on breast cancer risk. The Genesis Breast Cancer Prevention diet recommends a daily 1,500 kcal calorie controlled Mediterranean diet, which is the diet followed by the other 50 women.

Experts advise that the rising trend of breast cancer can be largely reversed by altering lifestyle. This includes: exercising and maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol consumption, breastfeeding your children, planning families earlier and avoiding longterm use of female hormones in contraceptives and HRT.

The Genesis Breast Cancer Prevention Diet has now sold out, however there may still be a few copies available on Amazon.

Please check our website for more information regarding the intermittent diet and our Mediterranean style diet.

• Figures according to two previous studies: ‘Adult weight change and risk of postmenopausal breast cancer’ and ‘Adiposity, adult weight change and breast cancer risk in postmenopausal Japanese women: the Miyagi Cohort Study, as well as a previous studies conducted by Dr Michelle Harvie.