Soy contains many phytochemicals that can have health benefits. Isoflavones are important compounds. Isoflavones are a major component of soybeans including genistein (which may be the most bioactive isoflavones), daidzein, and glycitein. Isoflavones protect soy plants from stress and are antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antifungal.
Isoflavones are phytoestrogens attached to estrogen receptors in cells. Genistein has been shown to affect the growth and spread of cancer.
Benefits of Isoflavones in Soybeans to treat prostate cancer
Several laboratory studies have found that treating human prostate cancer cells with isoflavones (such as genistein or daidzein) interfere with pathways in prostate cancer cells associated with inflammation, growth and spread of prostate cancer.
Several laboratory studies have found that treating prostate cancer cells with whole soy extracts (major isoflavones) or combining other plant compounds with isoflavones may have more anticancer effects than using a single isoflavone.
A study compared the treatment of human prostate cancer with soy isoflavones, curcumin (yellow pigment from turmeric, or a combination of some of these compounds.
The results showed that combining curcumin and isoflavones was more effective in lowering PSA (prostate-specific antigen) levels than those using only one compound.
Study on animal testing
Studies of animal models of prostate cancer treated with soy have shown mixed results as follows:
Strain mice are made to develop prostate cancer that acts like a human cancer fed diet with genistein and diet control. Mice fed a genistein diet had a reduced prostate cancer cell growth.
However, the effects of genistein on prostate cancer may vary depending on the dose and how the initial treatment is administered.
In another study combining radiation therapy with soy isoflavones, rats were implanted with prostate cancer cells treated with genistein, mixed isoflavones (genistein, daidzein, and glycitein), and / or radiation.
Combining isoflavones combined with radiation therapy found that this was the most effective method of slowing tumor growth.
Population study
Studies on human models aimed at finding risk factors and ways to control disease in large groups of people.
Studies of soy intake population and prostate cancer risk have shown mixed results as follows:
A 2009 review of many joint studies showed that men eating large amounts of nonfermented soy foods (eg, tofu and soy milk) had a lower risk of prostate cancer.
A 2013 review showed that the level of PSA and male hormone levels showed that men treated with soy had better conditions, compared to men who were not treated with soy.
In a study in Japan, some men underwent a prostate biopsy but did not have cancer, were given daily soy isoflavone supplements (40 mg) and curcumin (100 mg), while others received placebo.
After 6 months, those receiving soy isoflavones had a decrease in PSA levels compared with patients in the placebo group.
In soy isoflavone trials, prostate cancer patients with elevated PSA levels have been treated with radiation therapy and consumed soy every day for 6 months. Soya beverages contain 65-90 mg of isoflavones.
The results showed that soy beverages had very few side effects and slowed PSA doubling time (how long would it take blood levels of PSA to increase by 100 percent). These findings suggest that consuming soy beverages may help slow prostate cancer progression.
Soybean Side effects
Are there any side effects of soybeans that have been reported? Soy products and isoflavones have been consumed by prostate cancer patients with very few side effects in many clinical trials. The most commonly reported adverse side effects are mild gastrointestinal symptoms.
Sourse: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam/patient/ prostate-supplements-pdq
