Regular Article

British Journal of Cancer (2000) 83, 95–97. doi:10.1054/bjoc.2000.1152 www.bjcancer.com
Published online 6 June 2000

Hormones and diet: low insulin-like growth factor-I but normal bioavailable androgens in vegan men

N E Allen1, P N Appleby1, G K Davey1 and T J Key1

1Cancer Epidemiology Unit, Imperial Cancer Research Fund, Gibson Building, Radcliffe Infirmary, Woodstock Road, Oxford OX2 6HE, UK

Received 30 November 1999; Revised 7 February 2000; Accepted 8 February 2000.

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Abstract

Mean serum insulin-like growth factor-I was 9% lower in 233 vegan men than in 226 meat-eaters and 237 vegetarians (P = 0.002). Vegans had higher testosterone levels than vegetarians and meat-eaters, but this was offset by higher sex hormone binding globulin, and there were no differences between diet groups in free testosterone, androstanediol glucuronide or luteinizing hormone. © 2000 Cancer Research Campaign

Keywords:

diet, insulin-like growth factor-I, sex hormones, vegan, meat-eaters

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