Slimming diet and the development of acute leukemia: a possible relationship? Report of three cases

Diet may play a key role in the pathogenesis of cancer and evidence for the role of a reduced intake of micronutrients with antioxidant properties have been increasingly reported. Until now, epidemiologic research in humans has focused on the negative effect of different diets containing excessive caloric intake and relatively little is known on the possible correlation between slimming diets and the incidence of acute leukemia. In this report we describe the temporal association of imbalanced slimming regimens and the subsequent diagnosis of acute leukemia in three cases. This association may be coincidental or perhaps suggests a possible relationship of the diet with the development or progression of acute leukemia.