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Low glucose load, index diets may increase SHBG concentrations in postmenopausal women
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Postmenopausal women may have higher serum sex hormone-binding globulin concentrations if they consume low glucose load/glucose index diets with low sugar and high fiber content, according to findings published in the Journal of Diabetes.
Simin Liu, MD, ScD, FAHA, of the department of epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health in Providence, Rhode Island, and colleagues evaluated data from the Women’s Health Initiative on 11,159 postmenopausal women (mean age, 65.3 years; mean BMI, 28.6 kg/m2; mean energy intake, 1,617.5 kcal per day; mean total carbohydrate intake, 201.4 g per day) with available SHBG measurements at baseline (median serum concentration, 47.3 nmol/L) to determine the relationship between concentrations of SHBG and various measures of dietary carbohydrates.
Lower concentrations of serum SHBG were significantly associated with higher dietary glucose load based on total carbohydrates and available carbohydrates after adjustment. Similar trends were found for dietary glucose index based on total and available carbohydrates and dietary sugar intake. Higher SHBG concentrations were associated with higher consumption of fiber.
Circulating SHBG concentrations were inversely related to quartiles of sugar-sweetened beverages, and potatoes and bean consumption.
“Our study found that dietary fiber intake, sugar intake, and [glycemic load/glycemic index] based on total and available carbohydrates have significant associations with serum SHBG concentrations, thus supporting a role of diet in influencing blood levels of SHBG, which is in turn an important protective factor probably associated with insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, [cardiovascular disease] and hormone-dependent cancers,” the researchers wrote. “Further studies are needed to better elucidate the biological mechanisms underlying the associations between dietary carbohydrates and circulating SHBG concentrations, and mediation analyses with sufficient power are also needed to evaluate whether these possible effects of dietary carbohydrates on SHBG extend to the ultimate cardiometabolic disease risk, which will contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms of action underlying the effect of diets, particularly of high [glycemic load/glycemic index] diets rich in refined carbohydrates.” – by Amber Cox
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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