Role of Macronutrients and Micronutrients in DNA Damage: Results From a Food Frequency Questionnaire

Abstract

The links between diet and genomic instability have been under investigation for several decades, and evidence suggests a significant causal or preventive role for various dietary factors. This study investigates the influence of macronutrients (calories, protein, and glucides) and micronutrients, such as vitamins and minerals, as assessed by a food frequency questionnaire, on genotoxicity biomarkers measured by cytokinesis-blocked micronucleus assay and comet assay. The results found significant positive and negative correlations. Micronucleus frequency tends to increase with higher intake of caffeine, calcium, magnesium, zinc, and protein (P < .05, Spearman correlation). Calorie and omega-6 intakes are negatively correlated with DNA damage measured by the comet assay. These results are somewhat controversial because some of the correlations found are contrary to dominant views in the literature; however, we suggest that unraveling the association between diet and genetic instability requires a much better understanding of the modulating role of macronutrients and micronutrients.

Impact of Weight Loss Strategies on Obesity‐Induced DNA Damage

“…Possibly, differences in protein consumption (15 % in the AL‐WD and 5 % in the AL‐HCLP diet) caused this phenomenon. Recently, it was reported that the rates of micronuclei (reflecting structural and numerical chromosomal aberrations) in lymphocytes are increased in humans upon regular consumption of protein‐rich foods …”

“…Recently, it was reported that the rates of micronuclei (reflecting structural and numerical chromosomal aberrations) in lymphocytes are increased in humans upon regular consumption of protein-rich foods. [17] The reduction of DNA damage after weight loss may be indicative of a decrease of overweight-associated cancer risks in different organs. It is well documented that liver and colon are important targets for induction of tumors in obese individuals.…”

“…Two common strategies to reduce excessive body weight are i) decreased food consumption without alteration of the overall composition of the diet and ii) changes in the amounts of macronutrients. It was found that high‐protein diets cause weight loss but long‐term consumption may cause adverse effects including an increase of mortality and cancer . Weight loss by consumption of a high‐carbohydrate low‐protein diet (HCLP) is more promising; it was reported that it improved metabolic health parameters and reduced obesity induced inflammation …”

“…It was found that high-protein diets cause weight loss [16] but long-term consumption may cause adverse effects including an increase of mortality and cancer. [17][18][19] Weight loss by consumption of a high-carbohydrate low-protein diet (HCLP) is more promising; it was reported that it improved metabolic health parameters and reduced obesity induced inflammation. [18,20,21] In the present study, we used a mouse model, which reflects obesity and the metabolic syndrome in humans, [22][23][24] to compare the impact of weight loss by either reduced consumption of a WD or by an HCLP diet on DNA integrity in various inner organs.…”

Anthropometric and Dietary Factors as Predictors of DNA Damage in Obese Women

“…There is no doubt that level of energy intake and dietary pattern influence the development of obesity and obesity-associated metabolic disturbances [ 53 ] and can also affect genome stability [ 54 ]. The total daily energy intakes in our groups were in the range reported in other studies [ 55 , 56 ].…”