Chinese Researchers Explore Dietary Inflammatory Index and Cancer Risk

Understanding Inflammation

When an injury occurs, such as a cut or bruise, the affected area often becomes red and sensitive. This redness and tenderness are signs of inflammation, a natural response in which chemicals are released to activate the immune system and initiate healing. While this temporary inflammation is beneficial, chronic inflammation can severely impact blood vessels, nerves, and organs.

Lifestyle Factors Contributing to Chronic Inflammation

Several lifestyle choices are linked to chronic inflammation. Smoking, chronic stress, and excessive alcohol intake are notable contributors. Among these, obesity stands out as significantly correlated with elevated levels of systemic inflammation. As body mass index (BMI) rises, so does the level of inflammation in the body. Fortunately, dietary choices and physical activity can aid in weight loss and mitigate inflammation-related damage.

The Role of Diet in Inflammation

This situation leads healthcare professionals and patients to two critical questions: Which foods help reduce inflammation, and which exacerbate it? To address this, Dr. Susan Steck and her team from Columbia, South Carolina, developed a scale to evaluate the inflammatory potential of various diets.

The Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII)

The DII score is derived from the analysis of three dietary plans, evaluating 45 dietary components. A positive DII score (1.0) indicates a diet more likely to promote inflammation, whereas a negative score (-1.0) suggests an anti-inflammatory diet. The researchers utilized existing studies linking inflammatory biomarkers to dietary choices to assign positive or negative values to different foods. For instance, refined grains, processed snacks, and high-sugar or high-fat items correlate with higher inflammation levels and receive a positive score. In contrast, whole grains, leafy greens, beans, fish, and fresh fruits are associated with lower inflammation and receive a negative score.

The DII and Its Implications for Cancer Risk

Although the DII has been validated, few studies have thoroughly examined its sensitivity. A recent literature review published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition by Chinese researchers investigated the relationship between the DII and cancer incidence. Their extensive search across databases such as PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library identified 44 high-quality studies involving over one million participants.

The research revealed that individuals with the highest DII scores faced a significantly increased risk of developing various cancers compared to those with the lowest scores. Additionally, each increment in DII score correlated with an 8.3% rise in cancer risk.

Conclusion

This study highlights the DII as a valuable tool for assessing dietary quality. By utilizing the DII, healthcare providers and individuals can evaluate their dietary habits and establish goals aimed at reducing inflammation, thereby minimizing its harmful effects.

References

(1) Li, D., Hao, X., Li, J., Wu, Z., Chen, S., Lin, J., … & Dai, H. (2018). Dose-response relation between dietary inflammatory index and human cancer risk: evidence from 44 epidemiologic studies involving 1,082,092 participants. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 107(3), 371-388. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/nqx064

(2) Steck, S. E., Shivappa, N., Tabung, F. K., Harmon, B. E., Wirth, M. D., Hurley, T. G., & Hebert, J. R. (2014). The dietary inflammatory index: a new tool for assessing diet quality based on inflammatory potential. Digest, 49, 1-9.