Caloric restriction and experimental mammary carcinogenesis.

It has been demonstrated repeatedly that caloric restriction, or underfeeding, will inhibit the growth of spontaneous, transplanted, or induced tumors in mice and rats. Caloric restriction will inhibit tumorigenesis even in the face of a high fat diet. The mechanism of action is moot but caloric restriction reduces plasma insulin levels, increases activities of antioxidant enzymes, and enhances DNA repair. It also reduces oncogene expression. The cancer growth-inhibiting action of caloric restriction may be reversed by adrenalectomy.