New York, March 16 Consuming a diet rich in soy regularly may protect you from localised prostate cancer, a study indicates although it calls for further research and well-designed clinical trials to arrive at a conclusion.

The protective effect of isoflavone chemicals derived largely from soy foods was strongest in men who were older than 60 and it may not have a protective effect in the early stages of prostate cancer in younger men, reported the science portal EurekAlert.

Norie Kurahashi and other researchers at the National Cancer Center in Japan examined the relationship between the traditional soy-rich Japanese diet and development of prostate cancer in Japanese men.

The prospective study of 43,509 men, published in the March issue of the journal “Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention”, however suggests that the effects of isoflavones on prostate cancer development may differ according to the stage of the disease.

“Given that Japanese consume isoflavones regularly throughout life, we do not know the period during which the effects of isoflavones on prostate cancer are preventive, and further research is required to find that out, including well-designed clinical trials,” Kurahashi said.

Until those studies are done, the researchers recommend that Japanese men continue to consume isoflavones through their food and not through supplements.

“Consumption of isoflavones from traditional Japanese food throughout life may protect against the incidence of prostate cancer, but we cannot recommend the use of isoflavones from supplements for people who do not regularly consume these chemicals, because the relationship between isoflavones and the risk of advanced prostate cancer is not yet clear,” added Kurahashi.

Isoflavones act as both strong antioxidants and plant-based estrogens and soybeans are its most common source. It has been shown in some animal studies to exert a protective effect against prostate cancer. (IANS)