Purpose Circulating insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) concentrations have been positively associated with risk of several common cancers and inversely associated with risk of bone fractures. Intakes of some foods have been associated with increased circulating IGF-I concentrations; however, evidence remains inconclusive. Our aim was to assess cross-sectional associations of food group intakes with circulating IGF-I concentrations in the UK Biobank. Methods At recruitment, the UK Biobank participants reported their intake of commonly consumed foods. From these questions, intakes of total vegetables, fresh fruit, red meat, processed meat, poultry, oily fish, non-oily fish, and cheese were estimated. Serum IGF-I concentrations were measured in blood samples collected at recruitment. After exclusions, a total of 438,453 participants were included in this study. Multivariable linear regression was used to assess the associations of food group intakes with circulating IGF-I concentrations. Results Compared to never consumers, participants who reported consuming oily fish or non-oily fish ≥ 2 times/week had 1.25 nmol/L (95% confidence interval:1.19–1.31) and 1.16 nmol/L (1.08–1.24) higher IGF-I concentrations, respectively. Participants who reported consuming poultry ≥ 2 times/week had 0.87 nmol/L (0.80–0.94) higher IGF-I concentrations than those who reported never consuming poultry. There were no strong associations between other food groups and IGF-I concentrations. Conclusions We found positive associations between oily and non-oily fish intake and circulating IGF-I concentrations. A weaker positive association of IGF-I with poultry intake was also observed. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms which might explain these associations.
Nuffield Department of Population Health Doctor of Philosophy student scholarship
Cancer Research UK C8221/A29017
Clarendon Scholarship from the University of Oxford
Nuffield Department of Population Health Intermediate Fellowship
UK Research & Innovation (UKRI)
Medical Research Council UK (MRC) MR/M012190/1
Thames Valley NIHR Applied Research Centre
Spanish Government Spanish State Plan for Scientific and Technical Research and Innovation RYC2020-028818-I
Girdlers' New Zealand Health Research Council Fellowship 19/031
Wellcome Trust
Our Planet Our Health (Livestock, Environment and People -LEAP) 205212/Z/16/Z
Cancer Research UK Population Research Fellowship C60192/A28516
World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF UK), as part of the Word Cancer Research Fund International grant programme 2019/1953