Intermittent low-carbohydrate diets shed pounds and ‘prevents cancer’

Once the festive period is over many older adults will be looking to shed some excess pounds.

New research has shown that intermittent, low-carbohydrate diets are more successful than standard dieting and could also be a possible intervention for breast cancer prevention.

Researchers at the University of Manchester have discovered that restricting carbohydrates two days per week is superior to a standard, daily calorie-restricted diet for both reducing weight and lowering blood levels of insulin, which is a cancer promoting hormone.

However, they stress that further study is needed.

"Weight loss and reduced insulin levels are required for breast cancer prevention, but [these levels] are difficult to achieve and maintain with conventional dietary approaches," Dr Michelle Harvie, author of the study, explained

Researchers have previously confirmed the link between breast-cancer risk and physical characteristics of insulin resistance and higher-than-normal sex hormones in a woman's bloodstream.

The study showed that women with abdominal body fat, oily skin and excess body hair - signs of higher than normal sex hormones in the blood stream - were at greater risk of developing breast cancer.

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