Showing papers by "Cynthia A. Thomson published in 2001"

Reduction in fat intake is not associated with weight loss in most women after breast cancer diagnosis: evidence from a randomized controlled trial.

Abstract: BACKGROUND A reduction in dietary fat intake has been suggested as a method to promote weight loss in women at risk for breast cancer recurrence. METHODS Weight change in response to diet intervention was examined in 1010 women who had completed treatment for Stage I, Stage II, or Stage IIIA (American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system) primary operable breast cancer during their first year of participation in a randomized, controlled, diet intervention trial to reduce risk of recurrence. Diet intervention was performed by telephone counseling and promoted a low fat diet that also was high in fiber, vegetables, and fruit. The comparison group was provided with general dietary guidelines to reduce disease risk. Multiple linear regression models were used to examine the relations among demographic and personal characteristics, changes in diet composition and exercise level, and change in body weight or body mass index. RESULTS The average weight change in the 1-year period was 0.04 kg for the intervention group and 0.46 kg for the comparison group. For the total group, body weight was stable (± 5% baseline weight) for 743 women (74%), whereas 114 (11%) lost weight, and 153 (15%) gained weight. These distributions were similar in the two study groups inclusive of all study participants and for only those women with a baseline body mass index of ≥ 25 kg/m2. Initial body mass index and changes in fiber and vegetable intakes, but not change in percent of energy obtained from fat, were associated independently with change in weight or body mass index. CONCLUSIONS For most women at risk for breast cancer recurrence, diet intervention to promote a reduction in fat intake was not associated with significant weight loss. Testing the effect of a substantial change in diet composition on risk for breast cancer recurrence is unlikely to be confounded by weight loss in subjects who were the recipients of intensive intervention efforts. Cancer 2001;91:25–34. © 2001 American Cancer Society.

CHAPTER 17 – Herbs and Botanical Supplements: Principles and Concepts

Abstract: The study of botanical medicine warrants an understanding of the terminology used by herbal medicine practitioners. Herbs are generally administered as whole plants, while botanicals may be derived from parts of plants such as the root, stem, or leaf. Although historical evidence would support that botanical products are generally safe, a lack of consistent report mechanisms for adverse effects makes it difficult to reach the conclusion. As with safety, efficacy of botanical products depends on the presence of active constituents, dosage, and adherence to the recommended dosage regime, product formulation, bioavailability, and biological activity of the botanical product. Botanical products are uniquely different from pharmaceutical agents in that they are comprised of a variety of plant constituents combined in a single plant. The use of botanical and herbal medicinal to reduce the symptoms of and to treat or prevent chronic disease is on the rise. Medical and dietetic professionals are uniquely positioned to provide patients with reliable, scientifically sound advice on the use of these products in the context of a varied, nutritionally sound diet. The use of botanicals and herbal supplements to enhance health is not new to medicine; however, the growing use of these products dictates that dietetics professionals must expand their knowledge and understanding of the growing body of scientific evidence so that optimal nutritional care can be provided to all patients.