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Processed Soy (promoter)
Whether processed soy-based products and supplements reduce the risk of prostate cancer is a controversial and contentious issue, mainly because medical nutritionists and those working with soy manufacturers take bits of data and run in opposite directions. Unlike most other foods studied in relation to prostate cancer risk, such as lycopene, trustworthy medical research designs did not abound when soy hit the health scene decades ago. Unlike lycopene, however, as research advanced, increasing amounts of skepticism surrounded soy-based products, not only regarding prostate cancer risk, but also regarding other cancers such as breast; conditions such as early puberty; and diseases, including premenstrual and menopausal dysphoria, as well as osteoporosis.

At Psyche Nutrition Sciences, a leading nutrition company in the neuropsychiatry think-tank, we believe fresh green soy beans are medicinal and a great source of wholesome nutrients. Processed soy, however, is not. Much of the controversy and confusion over the role of soy-based products in prostate cancer risk began with a false assumption many years ago. A conclusion that the lower mortality rate from prostate cancer among Asian men was largely due to their intake of soy overlooked other major differences with the West. These include lower-calorie meals; lower weights; lower fat intake from animal sources, red meat, and dairy products; and a smaller percentage of processed foods, additives, supplements, sugar, products made of flour, and beverages such as sodas as well as energy, health, and fitness drinks consumed. The Asians also drink more fresh tea and eat more fish, real whole grain (not enormous amounts of hammer- and cylinder-milled wheat) as well as minimally processed produce. It is perplexing why soy was singled out, though some blame soy-giant Monsanto, especially in the face of data showing lower risk for prostate cancer in Europe, which is as barren of soy as the West. In fact, many pediatricians are calling for soy-based infant formulas to be dispensed by prescription because of safety issues, and several countries recommend limits on the amount of phytoestrogens consumed because of their hormonal-like activity and anti-nutrient activity, such as mineral depletion. Perhaps canned nutrition (commonly given to the debilitated), as well as fitness and energy drinks containing processed-soy, -egg or –whey protein, should go the same route until a unanimous verdict has been reached.

Even if soy turns out to be the major difference between Asian and Western diets, American researchers have been using doses of soy as low as 60 mg and as high as 900 mg when the typical Japanese daily consumption is 30 to 50 mg. One thing is clear, soy exerts hormonal effects on the body when used in American-style high doses (found in snacks, cereals, and bottled salad dressings, for example), which can affect puberty onset, premenstrual and menopausal neuropsychiatric symptoms, hormone-sensitive cancers such as breast and prostate, and estrogen-driven obesity, a major reason why women have a harder time losing weight.

With much controversy and more questions as time passes, it is the opinion of this nutritional neuropsychiatrist that there are many other antioxidant fish in the dietary sea, and processed soy is not necessary as a prostate cancer protector. Besides, good health is more likely to result from a diet consisting of many different natural antioxidant types and sources rather than one or a select few.

Tomato Products (protectors)
The Spanish conquistadors brought tomato seeds home from Mexico. Since many people believed tomatoes were poisonous because they look like the deadly nightshade, tomatoes didn’t gain popularity in Europe until the end of the 1600s. Tomatoes contain the antioxidant lycopene, which comes under the general heading, “carotenoid.” Lycopene gives tomatoes their color and also makes watermelon (which is not diabetic friendly) and pink grapefruit red. Today, researchers believe lycopene is poisonous to cancers cells and reduces the risk of developing prostate cancer. Tomatoes and tomato-based products are the most reliable way of getting lycopene into our systems. Table 1 presents a comparison of tomato products and their corresponding lycopene content. Because lycopene from tomatoes absorbs better in the presence of olive oil (only first press recommended), BRIGHTFOODS FOR CANCER PREVENTION has designed a juice and bread recipe (below) specifically with prostate- and breast-cancer prevention in mind.

Table 1. Lycopene content in 1 ounce of tomato product (low sodium preferred)

What about super-processed supplements? Contrary to most antioxidants that are oxidized and lose their medicinal strength by processing, studies have found that lycopene supplements also work as antioxidants inside the body. Psyche Nutrition Sciences does not encourage the use of lycopene supplements. When scientists looked at the concentration of pesticide residue on conventional tomatoes, they found that tomato puree has no more pesticide residue than a single unblanched and unprocessed tomato. But because organic tomato purees are also believed to be higher in other antioxidants, vitamin C, and polyphenols, and potentially lower in free-radical-forming pesticide residue, purees made from organic tomatoes offer the most antioxidants. Supplements are therefore not needed, cost effective, or practical.

Other caotenoids such as alpha and beta carotenes have not been studied as extensively as lycopene, but may also lower risk for prostate cancer. What is known is that carotenes from minimally processed foods are more healthful than processed supplements such as beta carotene, which has been linked to lung cancer in people taking large amounts.

Other Antioxidants (protectors)
Cruciferous vegetables such as arugula, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, chard, collard greens, kale, mustard greens, radishes, rutabagas, turnips, and watercress contain a chemical that reduces the risk of prostate cancer (check with your doctor before eating greens if you take Coumadin). Pomegranate juice may reduce the risk for developing prostate cancer. One study found no relationship between green tea and prostate cancer, while other studies suggested protective effects. Selenium reduces the incidence of prostate cancer, but as with processed vitamin E and vitamin C, taking selenium supplements in excess causes disease. Allium vegetables such as chives, garlic, leeks, onions, and shallots may reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer.

Pesticide Residue (promoters)
Numerous kinds of pesticides are used in agriculture to increase the quantity, quality, and appearance of our grains and produce. Pesticides coming from sources other than food that’s been sprayed contribute to free-radical formation, oxidative stress, and cancer. While the American Cancer Society has suggested that there’s not enough evidence to associate pesticide residue in food with breast cancer, even less is known about the connection between pesticide residue and other types of cancer, including prostate.