Low-fat dietary pattern and dietary advanced glycation end-products intake: a secondary analysis of the Women’s Health Initiative randomized trial

Abstract Background In the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) Dietary Modification (DM) randomized trial, a low-fat dietary pattern intervention reduced breast cancer mortality ( P = 0.02). Higher dietary advanced glycation end-products (dAGE) may be associated with higher breast cancer incidence. In this report, we examined whether the WHI dietary intervention influenced dAGE consumption. Methods Of 48,835 postmenopausal women randomized (40:60) to dietary intervention versus usual diet comparison, 40,209 had food frequency questionnaires at baseline, and serially through 5–7 years, which were used to estimate dAGE scores (kilo Unit/1000 kilocalories [kU/1000 kcal]) using a commonly referenced database. Multivariate regressions with repeated dAGE measures were examined by randomization group. Results Baseline mean dAGE scores were similar for intervention (7542 kU/1000 kcal, standard deviation (SD) = 912) and comparison (7514 kU/1000 kcal, SD = 917) groups. Through 5–7 years, dAGE scores were persistently lower in intervention versus comparison groups (mean range 5361–6236 kU/1000 kcal versus 7159–7669 kU/1000 kcal ( P < 0.0001). Conclusions The WHI low-fat dietary pattern intervention substantially reduced dAGE consumption. Clinical trial registration NCT00000611; Date: 10/28/1999.