Plant-Based Diets linked to Healthy Aging in Childhood Cancer Survivors, claims study

A recent study from the St. Jude Lifetime Cohort identified specific plant-based dietary factors that influence premature aging in adult survivors of childhood cancer. The findings were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology focused on the potential of tailored nutrition interventions to promote healthy aging in this population.

The study encompassed a total of 3,322 childhood cancer survivors aged 18 to 65 years and investigated the relationships between various plant foods and age-related deficit accumulation. Utilizing a comprehensive food frequency questionnaire helped assess the intake of total fruit, total vegetables, whole grains, refined grains, nuts or seeds and essential nutrients.

Premature aging was measured using the deficit accumulation index (DAI) and categorized participants into low, medium and high-risk groups. Dark green vegetable intake demonstrated a significant protective effect, with a 53% reduced risk of premature aging (ORhigh vs. low = 0.47). Also, higher intake of nuts and seeds were linked to a 29% lower risk (ORhigh vs. low = 0.71) and a linear regression analysis revealed a significant negative correlation (coefficient = -0.0115, P = .02). Increased refined grain intake was associated with a 33% higher risk of premature aging (ORhigh vs. low = 1.33) and a positive linear regression coefficient (0.0093, P = .005) supported this. Interestingly, fruit and whole grain consumption did not show any significant associations with premature aging risk.

The nutrient-specific analysis found dietary folate intake as a protective factor with an 11% lower risk for every 50 mcg/1,000 kcal increase (ORhigh vs. low = 0.89). The beta-carotene, lutein/zeaxanthin and vitamin E from foods demonstrated a modestly lower risk which were not statistically significant. These findings highlight the potential benefits of specific plant-based diets in reducing premature aging risks among childhood cancer survivors. 

Source:

Wang, M., Lan, T., Williams, A. M., Ehrhardt, M. J., Lanctot, J. Q., Jiang, S., Krull, K. R., Armstrong, G. T., Hudson, M. M., Colditz, G. A., Robison, L. L., Ness, K. K., & Park, Y. (2024). Plant Foods Intake and Risk of Premature Aging in Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancer in the St Jude Lifetime Cohort (SJLIFE). In Journal of Clinical Oncology. American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). https://doi.org/10.1200/jco.23.01260