Alternative Health Blog

In a randomized, placebo-controlled study involving 42 patients with prostate cancer undergoing external beam radiation therapy, results indicate that supplementation with soy isoflavones may alleviate the adverse effects of radiation on bladder, bowel, and sexual functions. The patients were randomized to 200 mg of soy isoflavone or placebo for a period of 6 months (beginning with the first day of radiation therapy). Soy-supplemented patients had less urinary incontinence, less urgency, less dripping/leakage of urine, less rectal cramping/diarrhea, less pain with bowel movements, and better erectile function, compared with patients in the placebo group. Thus, the authors of this study conclude, "The results suggest that soy isoflavones taken in conjunction with radiation therapy could reduce the urinary, intestinal, and sexual adverse effects in patients with prostate cancer."