Dr. Seyfried’s Press-Pulse Protocol and the Possible Etiology of its Effects
Dr. Seyfried, et al, describe the details of the research used in proposing the Press-Pulse Protocol, based on the knowledge that “cancer cells are largely dependent on glucose and glutamine for survival and growth… This strategy can be used for the non-toxic management and possible resolution of cancer… The novelty of the metabolic approach is the synergistic combination of nutritional ketosis, cancer metabolic drugs and hyperbaric oxygen therapy.” Of note, the Press-Pulse Protocol does not include either traditional chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
The question still remains: why and how does this Press-Pulse Protocol affect cancer cells when it is impossible to completely eradicate glucose and glutamine from the diet? Further research seems to indicate that this is most likely due to deuterium-depleting effect of the ketogenic diet in combination with increasing molecular hydrogen in the body.
Press and Pulse
The mainstay of the Press-Pulse Protocol is starving the cancer of its two fuel sources: glucose and glutamine. The “Press” is creating a sustained metabolic stress in the body with a calorie restricted ketogenic diet. The “Pulse” is the addition of hyperbaric oxygen therapy and metabolic drugs (i.e. a glutamine blocker) to result in a mass elimination of tumor cells.
Ketogenic Diet
The ketogenic diet is a reduction in daily calories to reduce average blood glucose levels to a sustained value of approximately 55-65 mg/dL. An optimal diet consists of eating 5 times per day with a ratio of 80% Fat, 15% Protein, and 5% Carbohydrates.
Glutamine Blockers
Glutamine is the other fuel source for cancer cells. DON, or 6-Diazo-5-Oxo-L-Norleucine, has been timed with the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy to further “starve” the cancer while subjecting the cancer cells to oxygen.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HbOT)
Cancer cells live in an oxygen free milieu. Once optimal glucose/ketone levels are consistently achieved for one to two weeks, hyperbaric oxygen therapy can be added three times a week at 2.2 atm for a total of 90 minutes.
Repurposed Drugs
Some medications include fenbendazole or mebendazole, doxycycline, a statin drug, and/or metformin. Care Oncology specifically works with repurposed drugs.
Standard of Care Therapies and Stress Management
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy may be recommended depending upon the type of cancer. Studies have shown improved results when administered on patients maintaining a ketogenic diet. Stress management is key to addressing cancer through meditation, yoga, massage, acupuncture, and neurofeedback.
Costs associated with Press-Pulse Protocol