A recent study suggests that a low-fat diet may be associated with a reduced risk of lung cancer. Researchers from China analyzed data from a cohort of over 98,000 people in the United States and found that those with the lowest fat intake had a 24% lower risk of developing lung cancer. The risk reduction was even more significant among smokers, with a 29% lower risk for those with the lowest fat diets.
The study, published in The Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging, also found that high-fat diets, particularly those high in saturated fats, were linked to a 35% increased risk of lung cancer overall and doubled the risk of small-cell lung cancer.
The data came from the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Survey cohort, with participants recruited between November 1993 and July 2001. Medical histories and dietary information were collected, and cancer incidence was tracked from 2009 to 2018. Researchers adjusted for factors such as age, smoking status, and physical activity to isolate the impact of diet on lung cancer risk.
The findings showed that participants with the lowest-fat diets were generally older, female, non-white, and had higher educational attainment. They also had lower body mass indexes and consumed less sodium and cholesterol.
“This study is the first to examine the impact of low-fat diets on lung cancer risk,” said Nilesh Vora, MD, a board-certified hematologist and oncologist not involved in the research. “It’s a surprising finding specific to lung cancer, as we typically associate high-fat diets and obesity with other cancers.”
Registered dietitian Catherine Rall, RDN, noted, “Saturated fats produce an inflammatory response in the body, which can lead to cancer. Reducing fat intake, especially saturated fat, could lower cancer risk, including lung cancer.”
The study’s authors suggested that their findings support recommending low-fat diets, particularly for smokers, to reduce lung cancer risk. They emphasized the need for further research, including potential randomized control trials, to confirm these observational findings.