Podcast Summary
Discovering the Impact of Ketosis on Chronic Diseases: Dom Dagestino discussed his research on ketosis and its potential effects on chronic diseases like cancer, highlighting advancements made in his lab and the potential benefits of Press Pulse Therapy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
That Dom Dagestino, an associate professor and research scientist, discussed the effects of ketosis on various chronic diseases during a recent Ask Me Anything session with Bob Kaplan. While Peter Atia was unable to attend due to unforeseen circumstances, Dom covered topics such as ketosis and cancer, focusing on Press Pulse Therapy. Dom explained that he stumbled upon cancer research around 2010 and was fortunate to have exceptional students in his lab, which led to significant advancements in the field. The discussion also touched upon Dom's work with hyperbaric oxygen therapy and its applications to female health and performance. It's important to note that the information shared is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. This episode offers valuable insights into the potential benefits of ketosis and related therapies for managing chronic diseases.
Combining therapeutic ketosis and hyperbaric oxygen therapy for cancer treatment: The ketogenic diet and hyperbaric oxygen therapy work together to weaken tumors by suppressing insulin signaling, lowering glucose availability, and increasing oxygen levels to make cancer cells more susceptible to other treatments.
A combination of therapeutic ketosis and hyperbaric oxygen therapy can be an effective approach in weakening tumors and making them more susceptible to other treatments. The ketogenic diet, which puts the body in a state of therapeutic ketosis, suppresses insulin signaling and lowers glucose availability to tumors while elevating ketone bodies, which cancer cells cannot effectively use as fuel. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, on the other hand, creates an oxidative challenge for cancer cells by increasing oxygen levels and producing reactive oxygen species, which can potentially kill the cancer cells. This synergistic effect was observed in a specific glioblastoma cell line, UAD-7, which had an unusually high production of reactive oxygen species when exposed to hyperbaric oxygen. This discovery has led to ongoing research in using this combination for various cell types and potential military applications.
Combining diet and therapies for cancer treatment: Dietary interventions like the ketogenic diet, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and metabolic drugs can improve cancer treatment outcomes by maintaining a low Glucose Ketone Index (GKI). Researchers are exploring various metabolic drugs and their synergistic effects, with promising results in animal models and individual cases.
A combination of dietary interventions, specifically the ketogenic diet, and therapeutic modalities, such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy and metabolic drugs, show promise in slowing tumor growth and increasing survival rates in animal models of metastatic cancer. The key is maintaining a low Glucose Ketone Index (GKI), ideally below one, which sets the stage for these therapies to be most effective. Researchers are exploring various metabolic drugs, including PI3 kinase inhibitors, 2D oxyglucose, three bromopyrubate, DCA, Metformin, vitamin C, and SGLT2 inhibitors, and are investigating their synergistic effects. Recent studies, like the one by Walter Longo on fasting with IV vitamin C in aggressive K-RAS mutated tumors, and another on a stage 4A metastatic thymoma patient using fasting, ketogenic diet, and prednisone, demonstrate encouraging results. However, more research is needed to fully understand how these interventions work together and to develop a comprehensive therapy.
A woman's tumor shrank significantly using water fasting, ketogenic diet, and immune-based therapies: A case study shows a woman's tumor decreased from a football to a golf ball size after using water fasting, ketogenic diet, and immune therapies. IV vitamin C may have also contributed to the destruction of cancer cells by acting as a pro-oxidant.
A case study published on a woman with metastatic breast cancer showed a significant decrease in tumor burden through a combination of water fasting, ketogenic diet, and immune-based therapies. The woman experienced a remarkable reduction in tumor size, from approximately 600 cubic centimeters to around 30 cubic centimeters, which is a decrease similar to that of a football to a golf ball. This reduction occurred during a period of time when she also lost about 15 kilograms. The authors of the study suggested that the ketogenic diet may have played a role in this response, possibly in conjunction with the woman's body producing Coli's toxins during her episodes of myasthenia gravis. Another intriguing aspect of this case study is the potential role of IV vitamin C in cancer treatment. While vitamin C is often thought of as an antioxidant, it can also act as a pro-oxidant at high doses. Given that radiation and hyperbaric oxygen, which also generate reactive oxygen species, can be effective in cancer treatment, it's possible that the tumor cells upregulate antioxidants as a defense mechanism. High-dose IV vitamin C could potentially overcome this defense and contribute to the destruction of cancer cells.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy enhances radiation therapy effectiveness: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy increases oxygenation and leaves residual elevated levels of reactive oxygen species, enhancing radiation therapy's ability to damage cancer cells. IV vitamin C can be used for added antioxidant benefits and increased reactive oxygen species production.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can significantly enhance the effectiveness of radiation therapy in treating cancer. This is due to the fact that radiation therapy generates reactive oxygen species, which are toxic to tumor cells, but the efficacy of radiation is dependent on the oxygenation level of the tumor. Hypoxic tumors become resistant to radiation. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy before or after radiation can increase oxygenation and leave residual elevated levels of reactive oxygen species, which can damage cancer cells. Additionally, IV vitamin C, an antioxidant, can be used in conjunction with hyperbaric oxygen therapy to increase reactive oxygen species production and act as a glucose antagonist. The high levels of free iron in tumors contribute to the high levels of reactive oxygen species, making this therapy particularly effective against cancer cells.
Understanding the metabolic needs of tumor cells in the fight against cancer using the VMM3 glioblastoma mouse model: The VMM3 glioblastoma mouse model, which closely resembles human aggressive and metastatic cancer, is an effective tool for studying cancer progression, metastasis, and the invasive nature of tumors, specifically their addiction to glutamine, to advance our understanding and potential treatments for metastatic cancer.
Vitamin C and understanding the metabolic needs of tumor cells, specifically their addiction to glutamine, are crucial components in the fight against cancer. The VMM3 glioblastoma mouse model, which is highly aggressive and metastatic, is an excellent tool for studying cancer progression and metastasis, as it closely resembles the human condition. Recent research by Andrew Kootnick, a former graduate student, has further demonstrated the model's effectiveness in studying cancer kexia, an understudied phenomenon in cancer research. The importance of studying metastatic cancer and understanding the invasive nature of tumors cannot be overstated, as people ultimately die from metastasis rather than the primary tumor. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to utilize the VMM3 model to advance our understanding and potential treatments for metastatic cancer.
Study shows cancer cells may rely on glutamine for energy: A 2019 study found that mice with cancer survived longer on a calorie-restricted ketogenic diet and a glutamine inhibitor, suggesting cancer cells may use glutamine for energy beyond the Warburg effect
A study by Tom, published in Nature Communications in 2019, showed promising results in extending the survival of mice with cancer using a calorie-restricted ketogenic diet and a glutamine inhibitor. The mice on the calorie-restricted ketogenic diet plus the inhibitor showed no deaths in a 40-day observation period, while those on a standard diet typically had all the mice dead within 15 days. Tom's research suggests that cancer cells might not only be getting energy from the Warburg effect or aerobic fermentation but also from fermentation of glutamine. This discovery challenges the common belief that cancer cells have normal mitochondria and only rely on oxygen consumption for energy production. The study does not claim to have cured cancer in these mice but offers potential insights into new therapeutic approaches. Tom's class on metabolism and signaling, which the speaker attended, provided a platform for engaging discussions on the topic.
Staying Informed: Challenging Hypotheses During Journal Club: Researcher Dr. Peter Pedersen stays informed of contradictory evidence by having students challenge his hypotheses during journal club. Mitochondria's role in cancer, glycolysis, glutamine metabolism, and potential benefits of targeting glutamine and ketogenic diet were discussed.
Dr. Peter Pedersen, a researcher studying cancer as a metabolic disease, keeps up-to-date with the latest research by having his students challenge his hypotheses through paper presentations during journal club. This approach helps him stay informed of contradictory evidence and maintain a balanced perspective. The mitochondria play a crucial role in cancer, as they are transformed to support the tumor's growth, and glycolysis and glutamine metabolism are key processes. Targeting glutamine with Dawn holds promise, but its toxicity necessitates the development of more effective glutamine antagonists. The ketogenic diet may offer benefits when combined with radiation or hyperbaric oxygen therapy, but further research is needed. Overall, Dr. Pedersen's innovative approach to staying informed and the importance of understanding the metabolic aspects of cancer were the key themes of the discussion.
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