(In this paper, any methods/supplements described were found successful in scientific experiments. Any measures are NOT proposed as medical cures, and readers are advised to consult a healthcare professional before trying anything. Furthermore, I caution all readers that what works for one person may not necessarily work for another. We are all biochemically unique.)
Dr. Paul Cheney - Research with Whey Protein
Dr. Paul Cheney is an eminent scientist and physician, who is well respected and held in high regard within the ME/CFS/CFIDS community for conducting studies on the cutting-edge of science in regards to this condition. Normally he sees patients who are very ill, because they have turned to him after other physicians have not been able to help them. In his recent preliminary study, he has found a method that works to some degree for all his very ill participants. Basically, he found all these participants deficient in glutathione, whose abundance in the body is indicative of good health. By treating this deficiency with an undenatured whey protein, the participants in this study all felt better to varying degrees.
Normal Mechanism Gets Out-of-Control
Normally there is a pathway (referred to as the RNase L pathway) that regulates protein synthesis within every cell of the body. If the system is highly activated, the production of all protein in the cell is decreased. Activation of this pathway reduces the synthesis of all cell protein, which includes intracellular enzymes. Of the many cell processes that normally depend on enzymes in order to operate are: the energy production cycle, the synthesis of hormones, the detoxification pathway and the immune response. Thus, disruption of these particular processes in the case of chronic fatigue syndrome could lead to the following situations occurring in the afflicted person's body:
1. reduction of the enzymes required for the production of energy resulting in fatigue;
2. decrease in enzymes needed for the synthesis of hormones leading to endocrine problems;
3. reduction of the enzymes necessary for the process of detoxification ending in the accumulation of toxins in the body; and
4. lack of enzymes in the immune system resulting in white blood cells that function poorly.
In the normal healthy cell, this RNaseL pathway plays a duel role:
1. the regulation of intracellular protein synthesis; and
2. an antimicrobial mechanism to rid the cell of intracellular pathogens such as viruses, mycoplasmas and small bacteria.
In CFS this pathway is up-regulated through the immune system becoming activated by an infectious agent, toxic substance, food allergy, etc. In the end, its activity and the associated reduction of intracellular protein lead to the complete disruption of cellular metabolism. Due to a lack of enzymes, the detoxification system easily becomes overwhelmed and so toxins accumulate. These harmful substances can cause structural damage within all cells of the body including the hypothalamus in the brain, the endocrine glands and the immune system resulting in their dysfunction. Toxins can also interfere with the few enzymes of the energy production cycle that have not fallen victim to the RNase L pathway. The result is a cell and body in complete disarray.
Key Factor: Glutathione Deficiency
Dr. Cheney considers that this syndrome may represent:
1. an immune activation state (immune system constantly on hyper-guard);
2. with a disordered glutathione system.
Furthermore, he considers the deficiency of glutathione to be a key factor. The glutathione system was particularly impaired in this syndrome. The lack of glutathione impacts on the function of the detoxification, the body's endogenous antioxidant and immune systems.
Glutathione
There are well over 40,000 published scientific research papers on the roles played by the molecule called glutathione in cells of the human body. Research indicates that glutathione is one of the most important molecules required in the body:
1. as a principal antioxidant deactivating unstable molecules called free radicals and assisting other antioxidants - vitamins A, C and E;
2. as one of the most important molecules in the detoxification system; and
3. as an immuno-enhancer for optimal function of the immune system.
How Glutathione is Depleted in ME/CFS/CFIDS
As previously mentioned, glutathione levels in the body give an indication as to the individual’s health status. In this syndrome, glutathione in the body can be depleted in the following ways:
1. increased free radical activity due to hyperactive immune response (free radicals are the weapons used by lymphocytes against pathogenic microbes), ingested environmental toxins, and normal metabolism just to mention a few;
2. high rate of lymphocyte (T and B cells) reproduction in a hyperactive immune system;
3. increased accumulation of toxins including pharmaceutical drugs that stress the liver’s detoxification capacity;
4. highly activated RNase L pathway uses mega amounts of glutathione; and
5. viral theft by activated latent viruses that have laid dormant in our cells and current viral infections steal host-cell selenium and in turn reduces glutathione synthesis (selenium is required for the production and activity of this protein).
Thus, it would seem beneficial to build up the body’s supply of glutathione in order to improve the level of health and the quality of life of the person ill with ME/CFS/CFIDS.
Attempts to Increase Glutathione
In an attempt to raise the glutathione levels in the body, Dr. Cheney tried a number of conventional sources of glutathione: N-acetyl cysteine, methionine and cysteine. Unfortunately, none of the participants exhibited any signs of improvement. In his search for a better source of glutathione, he came across the whey protein concentrate (referred to as HMS90 in Canada and Immunocal in the United States) produced by Immunotec Research of Montreal, Quebec. This product was developed after 18 years of rigorous research and had won 7 pharmaceutical patents. Through research, this natural dietary supplement was validated to raise the body's glutathione levels. Dr. Cheney decided to run a preliminary trial on this product.
Dr. Cheney's Study with HMS90/Immunocal
Dr. Cheney enlisted 8 participants in this preliminary clinical study using the whey protein concentrate from Immunotec Research. Each participant took two pouches per day for the first three months, and then for the last three months half were randomly chosen to take only one pouch per day. Each pouch contains about 9 grams of high quality undenatured bioactive protein. At the end of the trial, Dr. Cheney found the following results over the 6-month study period:
1. increase in well being of participants;
2. increase in participant level of energy;
3. lymphocytes which were non-responsive to foreign antigens were now effective against microbes;
4. level of free radical damage decreased to normal levels;
5. antibodies decreased to normal levels, which reflected a reduction in viral, etc.burden;
6. decrease in number of relapses;
7. reduced the population size of intracellular microbes by inhibiting their multiplication (this included viruses, mycoplasmas and small bacteria);
8. success was achieved for participants afflicted with multiple chemical sensitivities; and
9. two pouches per day produced the most beneficial results.
In some instances, Dr. Cheney reasoned that an individual might have to consume three packages a day. Thus, depending on the person the daily dose of the whey protein varied from 1 to 3 packages (9 to 27 grams).
How the Whey Protein Works
Glutathione is the naturally occurring protein that protects each cell, tissue and organ from disease, aging and cancer. And, like all proteins, glutathione consists of building blocks called amino acids. In order to build this protein inside each cell, the milk whey proteins are broken down in the digestive system, absorbed into the blood and then transported to the cells. Once inside the cell, amino acids are assembled into the protein glutathione. Of these amino acids, cysteine is rarely available in our diets as there are only trace amounts in certain foods, such as raw egg white, milk and meat. These trace amounts are insufficient to ensure adequate synthesis of glutathione when the body is exposed to the environmental challenges of life today. HMS90/Immunocal contains a high concentration of this critical building block - cysteine, which gives glutathione its important bioactive properties. Unlike the other whey, Immunotec has developed a preparation process that involves the most advanced technology of microfiltration, ultrafiltration and drying aimed at preserving the delicate milk whey proteins in their natural forms. This process affords HMS90 its essential bioactivity.
Future Plans
Dr. Cheney’s preliminary research has certainly proven that this therapy does indeed help ill people. In the near future, he will be conducting a larger formal study with this product to determine its true potential for improving the quality of life for individuals afflicted with the very debilitating syndrome.
[For more information on Immunocal/HMS 90, Contact: Darleen Mills (613) 258-5474
Email: dlmills@docuweb.ca Web: www.docuweb.ca\immunocal]
Note: The National ME/FM Action Network does not endorse any treatments or products. Discuss all treatments with your doctor.
This page was last reviewed/modified on 2006/08/20.