Exploring NAC, L-Glutamine & Glutathione in Cancer Protocols

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Exploring NAC, L-Glutamine & Glutathione in Cancer Protocols

Glutathione

This amino acid is hugely antioxidant and is the reason why it can reduce the ability of many treatments to work efficiently as they not only rely on a pro-oxidant state, but they also rely on glutathione depletion to be able to induce apoptosis. Together with NAC, it can protect cancer cells during chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

It should be noted, however, that the body needs glutathione for immune support and a healthy gut.

In the body’s natural function, glutamine, methionine and cysteine are converted to glutathione, which in turn protects cancer cells from hypoxia and acidosis, alters their metabolism and increases lactate output.

Fear of glutathione and whey protein has been caused by misinformation concerning the metabolic approach to treating cancer.

Extracting correct information and adapting it to critical situations allows a fuller understanding of the metabolism and transportation of glutathione and when it should be correctly used to support the body.

Whey protein for example contains the precursor cysteine, however, studies show that whey protein actually has anti-cancer properties.

Undenatured whey protein isolate is proving helpful in the treatment of both ascites (abdominal fluid retention) and pleural effusion (fluid accumulation in the lungs). Dream Protein (Canada and US) Pink Sun (UK). Compare these products in order to find something that matches them for other countries. The product is both sugar and hormone free.

Alpha- lactalbumin found in human milk induces apoptosis in malignant trophoblast (embryonic) cells. As cancer cells behave like trophoblast cells due to the tumour microenvironment they are in, they can benefit from alpha-lactalbumin found in undenatured whey protein isolate. This dispels the misinformation that whey protein will cause cancer to progress. It can have the opposite effect but you must ensure that it is the hormone and sugar free, undenatured isolate form.

Intracellular glutathione within the cancer cell is the issue during treatment and this is where oral supplementation or precursors such as N Acetyl Cysteine become problematic.

Oral dosing of glutathione is not productive due to its lack of ability to be absorbed by the body, so it needs a transporter such as DMSO to transfer it through the membrane, so you would not use DMSO with oral supplementation, as it will carry the glutathione through the lipid membrane and into the cancer cell.

IV or liposomal forms are preferred and are more effective if used in other areas such as lung support or as a detoxifying agent. IV glutathione is used for detoxification because there is no transporter, so it remains outside the cell and is used by the body instead.

Levels of glutathione in the liver can drop with long-term use of high dose vitamin K3, Vitamin C and Vitamin D, however, reserves can be recovered with milk thistle, bilberry, resveratrol, grapeseed extract, coffee enemas and polygonum which increase glutathione in the liver to bring balance back.

IV Glutathione is used in ascites, plural effusion and where GGT liver enzyme levels are not reducing when ALT and AST have reduced. Continuous high levels of GGT is an indication that the body has become depleted of glutathione and is in need of the store being replenished for detoxification.


L Glutamine

L-Glutamine is an abundant amino acid in the body. Dietary intake is far less harmful than supplementation.

Cancer cells up-regulate glutamine transporter and via GGT (Gamma- glutamyl transferase) it will help cancer cells to increase glutathione levels.

Cancer uses glutamine as a fuel source almost as much as it uses glucose, so it’s very important when considering any form of glutamine supplementation, to know when the right time is to use it. It is a potent driver of cancer growth, especially taken alongside a high glycemic diet!

Some integrative doctors suggest its use during treatment with platinum drugs, cyclophosphamide and Taxanes, such as Paclitaxel, as they are renowned for causing nerve damage. L Glutamine can help to reduce this risk, however, it is vital that supplementation is NOT used outside of treatment cycles in order to stop the cancer cells from using it.

L-Glutamine is also used as a gut protection during chemotherapy, as these drugs disrupt the gut microbiome and cause leaky gut syndrome.

There are now glutamine scans to show the metabolic activity of glutamine within the cancer cells.

One suggested dose is ½-1 teaspoon 3 x daily ONLY on treatment days.

Caution should always be used when considering supplementation.


NAC (Converts to glutathione in the body)

N Acetyl Cysteine NAC is not advised in a daily cancer protocol.

It is used to help with situations such as ascites, but it can make some treatment drugs become resistant as it can be anti-apoptotic in certain situations, so it is not advised with chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

NAC stops the apoptotic properties of vitamin D3, K2, melatonin, curcumin, quercetin, resveratrol, green tea (EGCG) and IV Vit C because it converts to glutathione in the body and many therapeutic agents require the depletion of glutathione to be effective.

Dr Neil McKinney suggest in his book Naturopathic Oncology that if it is combined with the appropriate antioxidants such as grapeseed extract, yeast selenium, R Alpha Lipoic Acid, and vitamin E with mixed tocopherols the balance between its ability to reduce oxidisation and the potential of substances to work effectively is far more regulated.

It can blunt a number of chemotherapy drugs, particularly platinum drugs such as Carboplatin, Cisplatin and Oxaliplatin, so its place is best outside of treatment schedules.

It does have the ability to detox heavy metals and copper and can boost immunity and can be helpful in stopping mucus from sticking to the respiratory tract through viscosity.

You do not want anything that will increase intracellular glutathione such as NAC or liposomal glutathione during pro-oxidative therapies and for a few days afterwards.

It can be used to chelate heavy metals and copper best - best with professional guidance.


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Disclaimer: This website does not provide medical advice. The information including text, graphics, and images, are for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.

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