Finally, single substances or compounds might behave quite differently when tested as a solitary ingredient evaluated in the test tube or as a dietary supplement in an animal model as compared to its effect in companion with other substances in the human. The study was initiated because of the numerous retrospective investigations that suggested foods containing beta-carotene, an antioxidant, had a powerful protective effect in the development of lung cancer. However, when the study was analyzed the incidence of lung cancer was actually higher in the group receiving the beta-carotene supplement. For patients with prostate cancer, a very interesting sidebar to this study was the fact that the incidence of prostate cancer was lower in patients receiving vitamin E than in the control group. Another food product that is widely consumed in Eastern and underdeveloped countries, but much less so in the U.S., is soy protein.
Soy protein contains a group of compounds called isoflavonoids.
Genestin, an isoflavonoid, has been found in experimental studies to be a modulator of cellular growth and proliferation. Therefore, investigational efforts in the evaluation of this product as a potential preventive dietary supplement in a number of cancers, prostate cancer included, are presently in process. In general terms, a healthy diet initiative should be directed at reducing total fat intake. The relationship of prostate cancer, breast and ovarian cancer to fat intake may relate to the increased hormone levels, androgens and estrogens, associated with increased fat intake. Reduction in dietary fat is not only a useful measure with regard to malignancy prevention, but obviously tremendously useful in preventing cardiac and vascular disease as well.