Soy in Asian Diet = Less BPH?

Men may start to experience BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) as early as their 40s, and the older they get, the more likely it is to manifest (about 90% of men in their 80s and 90s). Not only is aging a risk factor to BPH, but also poor nutrition (over-consumption of red meat and foods high in fat), little to no physical activity, family/genetic history, and higher levels of DHT, which may be better known as a risk factor in balding. BPH is the medical term for prostate enlargement, where men may experience frequent urination especially at night, slow urinary flow when relieving oneself, sexual dysfunction, etc. 

However, it is found that Asian men have lower incidence rates of BPH compared to western men. According to the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, one proposed reason that Asian men have lower incidences of BPH and prostate health issues overall could be due to the consumption of soy and plant based foods in their nutritional diet. Soy contains isoflavones like genistein and daidzein (fun fact, the Japanese word for soy is daizu, which kind of looks like daidzein). These isoflavones could have a positive effect by reducing the processes that accelerate prostate cell proliferation (an increase in prostate cells). This could reduce the risk of cell division errors that lead to other prostate conditions.  

What we all want to know is whether soy could in fact help reduce BPH. Currently in Clinicaltrials.gov, the only study with positive results for the use of soy in helping BPH patients is for UMOOZE. There is also a study on pumpkin seeds, soy germ and cranberry mix for the support of BPH symptoms, but the results were not published. If UMOOZE could help men with BPH, then we should encourage the continued study of soy in men's diets for reducing the incidence rate of BPH. 

Let's continue to spread awareness and encourage more research on BPH!