Whey Protein to Minimize Chemotherapy Side Effects (Part 3)

Today, we will talk about the benefits of consuming whey protein to minimize the chemotherapy side effects to the patients. Before we go further, we need to know a little bit about glutathione, which is an antioxidant that protects cells from toxic compounds.

Glutathione Protects Cells Against Toxic

As I mentioned, glutathione plays an important role to protect cells against toxic compounds. Glutathione balance is very important for cancer patients as glutathione actually gives the cancer cells advantage to escape from the effect of chemotherapy. Cancer research showed that the concentration of glutathione in tumour cell is one of the determinants of the cytotoxicity of many chemotherapeutic agents and radiation. There will be drug resistance to chemotherapy if there is an increase of glutathione concentration in cancer cells.

Whey Protein Reduces Glutathione Levels in Cancer Cells

According to cancer studies, the researchers found that the presence of whey protein helps to reduce glutathione levels in cancer cells but enhance the concentration of glutathione in normal cells. By knowing this, the whey proteins are used in combination with glutathione to help in decreasing the concentrations of glutathione in cancer cells so that the cancer cells more vulnerable to chemotherapy. At the same time, the whey proteins can help to maintain or even increase glutathione concentration in normal healthy cells. Moreover, glutathione level in cancer and normal cells is negatively inhibited by its own synthesis. As glutathione level in cancer cells is higher than normal cells, it is much easier to achieve negative-feedback inhibition for glutathione synthesis in cancer cells.

According to Life Extension Foundation Protocols, chemotherapy patients should at least consuming 30 to 60 grams of whey protein a day for 10 days before initiation of chemotherapy, during chemotherapy and 10 days after the chemotherapy session is ended. Yet, this is only a theoretical statement and might not suitable to everyone. Please do not hesitate to seek the advice from the doctor before consuming the whey protein.

In conclusion, the relationship between cancerous cells, glutathione and whey protein is believed to be an important factor of chemotherapy resistance in cancer cells. It is essential to know that whey protein selectively decreases glutathione level in cancer cells, consequently making them more susceptible to chemotherapy. It also maintains and increase glutathione in normal cells to reduce chemotherapy side effects.