Sunday June 9, 2013 (foodconsumer.org) -- A new study in Nutrition & Metabolism suggests that women following a low fat diet may lower their risk for developing ER+ breast cancer whose growth is promoted by sex hormone estrogen.

The study led by Lindsay R. Young of Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, MN, USA and colleagues shows that postmenopausal women using a low fat diet for eight weeks had increased metabolism of estrogen including total estrone, estradiol and estriol in the urine.

Estrogen is a group of sex hormones including estrone, estradiol and estriol.   Estrogen promotes the growth of estrogen receptor positive or ER+ breast cancer.   Lowering estrogen levels can slow the growth of the tumor.  

In addition to a low fat diet, there are many things women can do to reduce their risk for developing breast cancer such as calorie restriction and avoiding medical radiation and hormone replacement therapy. (reporting by Jimmy Downs)