Equol

[StressedToTheBald]

"Writing in the journal Biology of Reproduction, researchers said the finding could explain why Japanese men, who eat more soy, rarely have prostate cancer. They said the molecule could be used as a treatment for cancer and hair loss. The team found that the molecule, an isoflavone called equol, "handcuffs" the male hormone DHT - a by-product of testosterone. Equol is a metabolic product of the flavonoid daidzein. The researchers say this could be particularly important for men who have been diagnosed with either an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia), or cancer of the prostate. DHT has also been implicated in research into the causes of male pattern hair loss."

^ Lund, TD; Munson, DJ, Haldy, ME, Setchell, KD, Lephart, ED, Handa, RJ (Apr 2004). "Equol is a novel anti-androgen that inhibits prostate growth and hormone feedback.". Biology of Reproduction 70 (4): 1188–95. PMID 14681200.

^ Atkinson, C; Frankenfeld, CL, Lampe, JW (Mar 2005). "Gut bacterial metabolism of the soy isoflavone daidzein: exploring the relevance to human health.". Experimental Biology and Medicine (Maywood, N.J.) 230 (3): 155–70. PMID 15734719.