Soy Product Slows Prostate Enlargement, in Rats

Treatment with equol, the major active form of daidzein, the estrogen-like compound found in soy, blocks prostate growth in rats, new research shows.

Equol seems to work not just by stimulating estrogen receptors but also by binding and blocking the testosterone by-product dihydrotestosterone (DHT).

With further testing, equol or a derivative could potentially be used to prevent or treat conditions resulting from male androgen hormones, such as prostate cancer or baldness, the researchers suggest.