Soy and vitamin E supplements useless in staving off prostate cancer – study

Soy, selenium and vitamin E supplements did not reduce the risk of prostate cancer for men who took them daily for three years under a study.

Researchers led by Dr. Neil Fleshner of the University Health Network in Toronto gave either a placebo or a combo supplement to 303 men. The combo consisted of 40 gram of soy, 0.2 grams of selenium and 800 U of vitamin E. The amounts were beyond recommended dietary allowances.

The men were selected because they had pre-cancerous cells and were most likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer later.

The two groups, one who took a placebo and another who received soy supplements, had the same rate of prostate cancer after three years, meaning the supplements have exerted no beneficial effect.

Soy consumption is believed to help the Japanese and Chinese in preventing prostate cancer. The incidence of the second-common cancer in men is low in the two Asian countries.

But the recent study paid for by the Canadian Cancer Society Research Institute failed to validate this claim. Other studies had shown that soy has a protective effect on the prostate. This has driven the demand for soy supplements among older men. But they may have to think twice now.

Every year, 156 out of 10,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer. Because some types are considered non-fatal, a strategy of watchful waiting is advised. But many patients feel more content about using medications, including supplements.

Because other studies have shown some benefits and partly because selling supplements is big business, more research will be conducted in the future to examine the benefits of soy products.