For those who haven’t read the introduction, you should because it’s hard to write these if I have to explain the basic protocol outline every time, I don’t think it could be done. Anyway, I am on my rest days which are days 22-35, and then I start all over for Protocol #2. So now is an excellent time to delve deeper into aspects I haven’t previously discussed, particularly the ketogenic diet, associated lifestyle changes and the “Press/Pulse”. I want to emphasize that DON is just one component of targeting cancer cell metabolism. DON inhibits glutamine. As you might be aware, cancer cells, like all cells, require energy to survive, and glutamine is just one substrate they can use.
Our diets comprise macronutrients: proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. Carbohydrates break down into glucose; proteins provide amino acids like glutamine, and fats consist of fatty acids. Glucose, glutamine, and fatty acids are metabolites of these macronutrients.
Healthy cells convert all three into fuel via oxidative phosphorylation. However, as Warburg discovered (known as the Warburg Effect), cancer cells don’t rely on oxidative phosphorylation for fuel. Instead, they utilize a more primitive and less efficient process called “fermentation.” This distinction between healthy cells and cancer cells (oxidative phosphorylation vs. fermentation) is vital. Moreover, cancer cells only convert two of the three metabolites into fuel. They struggle to ferment fat effectively. This leads us to the role of the ketogenic diet and the PRESS part of the protocol.
Ketones, produced when our body burns fat for energy, are beneficial. This process occurs when glucose isn’t abundantly available. When you reduce carbohydrate intake, your body depletes the glucose stored in your liver and then burns fat. We’ve always known that fat is a form of stored energy. This fat-burning state, combined with a caloric deficit, can lead to significant weight loss in ketosis. People often consume fewer calories because fats are very satiating. Thus, even though fats are calorically dense, you consume less to feel full and energized. If weight loss isn’t your goal on a keto diet, you’ll need to increase your caloric intake, even if you feel full.
Ketones can be an essential energy source for most cells, but not for cancer cells. Importantly, it’s impossible to eliminate all glucose from your body regardless of diet, as some are vital for specific functions. While carbohydrates are the primary dietary source of glucose, our bodies can produce glucose from non-carbohydrate sources via gluconeogenesis. This won’t generate enough to fuel the entire body but will support crucial functions. We’ll revisit gluconeogenesis when discussing lifestyle changes.
Carbohydrates are found in almost everything except pure fats and meats. Common high-carb foods include bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, sugars, and all grains. But even fruits and vegetables contain carbs. Carbohydrates get broken down into glucose, which, when in excess, our body can convert to fat, contributing to body fat storage—thus, the obesity epidemic.
The aim is to starve cancer without depriving ourselves, which can be partly achieved by restricting carbohydrate intake. And by “limit,” I mean stricter than diets like the “Mediterranean” or the generic keto diet you might find online. It’s about adhering to a stringent 3:1 or 4:1 fat-to-carbohydrate ratio. Keto Mojo clarifies this: “A 4:1 ketogenic diet consists of 4 grams of fat for every 1 gram of protein and carbs combined, equating to 80% fat by weight in grams (4÷5=80%). Similarly, a 3:1 ketogenic diet has 3 grams of fat for every 1 gram of protein and carbs combined, or 75% fat by weight in grams (3÷4=75%).” So, this kind of ketogenic diet doesn’t allow for typical “Keto” products from places like Costco. It’s a challenging regimen to follow. For the most part, I find it tough to get sufficient fat into my diet without exceeding my carb or protein limits, leading me to drink oil. My intake, based on my body weight, age, sex, and metabolism, comprises 9g (net) carbs, 30g protein, and 116g fat daily. However, others might find a more manageable balance. It’s essential to find your balance, requiring multiple daily blood level checks. Note that the carb limit refers to net carbs. Fibre, also a carb, isn’t digested and thus isn’t counted. A medium avocado (give or take) contains 12 total carbs, 10 of which are fibre, meaning it has 2g net carbs. Would you prefer an avocado, and an extra 7g of carbs to use later, or a single piece of bread for the day? For most, this dietary shift is intense and requires genuine belief in its life-saving potential for motivation. This is not your average fad diet version of keto (which I don’t see an issue with, it’s just not the same). This is a therapeutic keto that is used for the treatment of epilepsy and is an absolute requirement in this protocol. Glucose is cancer’s best friend, you need to keep your blood glucose at a minimum for as often as you can for as long as you can.
As for lifestyle changes, we return to gluconeogenesis, our body’s ability to generate glucose from non-carbohydrates. This isn’t about fuelling the entire body but supporting select vital functions like the central nervous system, certain brain operations, and red blood cell production. Given that glucose production isn’t solely tied to diet, it’s essential to consider how other factors might affect blood glucose levels. Various factors, from medications to hormones, sleep deprivation, and stress (even the positive kind, like exercise), can elevate glucose levels. Multiple triggers can induce gluconeogenesis, causing glucose spikes. The “dawn phenomenon” causes a glucose surge a few hours post-waking. Thus, maintaining consistently low glucose levels isn’t just about diet; comprehensive lifestyle evaluations and adjustments are necessary. Hence, monitoring blood glucose and ketone levels at least twice daily is essential. Exercise can momentarily raise glucose levels but, over time, can help keep them lower. Activities such as walking, napping, massages, and meditation help regulate glucose levels. While some might jest, “You could have given me a heart attack,” when startled, my retort is, “fuck, you just spiked my glucose.” I am so concerned about glucose. I now have a 24-hour continuous glucose monitor to understand what and when glucose changes. I aim to stay as consistently as possible at or below 4.1 mmol. And this is the PRESS part of the protocol. Constant pressing (stressing) of the cancer cells from a metabolic position.
The PULSE is DON, intermittently preventing any energy from getting to the cells. In case you haven’t read other features of this site DON will hurt cancer and healthy cells, so you can’t take it non-stop.
Ok, so good to get all that out of the way. I hate to have made it sound like DON was the only significant piece because it’s not. It’s just the part that makes this all a bit sketchy. Oh, and I will explain the HBOT in another post, omg aren’t you glad?