Low On Protein

I am low on protein but eat all the right foods. What is a good supplement I can use?

Dear George,
You ask a simple question, but unfortunately, the answer is a bit more
complicated.

"Low in protein" may mean many things. Ask your doctor or nurse to define
low in protein; that is, are you anemic?, iron deficient?, or do you have a low
albumin level? (an indicator of protein stores). Nutritional therapy for any one
of those conditions will vary.

If indeed you have low protein stores, the first thing to ask yourself is "have I
lost a bunch of weight?" If the answer is yes, you may actually be lacking
adequate calories and/or protein. If you don't eat enough calories to sustain
your weight, muscle mass is stripped and used for energy. The idea is to
make sure every meal contains foods that are high in protein (but lower in fat)
and packed with cancer-fighting chemicals. For example, you may wish to
add almonds or walnuts to your cereal in the morning, add a soy smoothie at
lunch or try Gainer's Fuel 1000, a powder available at health food stores than
can be mixed up to make a tasty high calorie/high protein shake. Dinner
should include fish, chicken or lean pork (with plenty of veggies of course!).

Truly, the key to your recovery will be to tackle the right problem. Find out
exactly what you are lacking (protein, iron, B-vitamins) and work with a
nutritionist who can help you get to the root of your issue. If you are looking for
a nutritionist who specializes in cancer, you can contact the Cancer Resource
Center at 800.940.2822 and they can send you information about the
consultation telephone services they offer.

Healthy Regards,

Kim Dalzell, PhD, RD, LD
Clinical/Oncology Nutritionist
Author, Challenge Cancer and Win!
www.challengecancer.com

Hi: During my chemo treatment, I was drinking Boost High Protein - it is a delicious beverage that is high in protein. It helped me a lot. But, be a bit careful not to overdo it if you decide to use it because it has a lot of sugar in it. Good luck!

Wasting syndrome or cachexia is when a patient loses weight mostly to muscle tissue loss. It can get quite serious and protein is what builds muscle. I give my husband two amino acids; glutamine and arginine in addition to a good whey protein powder, which contains many more amino acids and other things. Optimum Nutrition makes it and I purchase it online at www.vitaminshoppe.com. They have a huge inventory and prices 20-40% less than health food stores. Some studies have been done on low albumin levels (albumin is a protein in blood plasma) and the low albumin levels have been linked to the weight loss. Below are some sites you can go to to read more about this. The information below the websites gives more information on different causes and treatments that are being pursued to combat weight loss. Hope some of this helps.

http://www.biotechjournal.com/Journal/jan%202002/janRes5text

http://www.va.gov/resdev/highlights/pr_12_9_01_wasting_syndr

I also copied and pasted this info;

Cachexia and Cancer

Researchers previously believed that cancer increased metabolic demand (stolen protein), produced toxins, and suppressed appetite, resulting in malnutrition. New research, however, shows that although cancer may raise resting metabolic rate, improved nutrition does not alleviate the symptoms of anorexia, chronic nausea, early satiety, and changes in taste that make even favorite foods unpalatable to some cancer patients. The view of clinicians is that bodily wasting is the result of a combined action of tumor products and host immune factors-in particular-cytokines that lead to poor appetite, muscle wasting, and an altered metabolism. The cytokines interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-6, interferon-gamma, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFa), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor appear to increase and play a role in the progression of cachexia in cancer as well as in other diseases associated with bodily wasting.

Other metabolic alterations associated with the syndrome are hyperglyceridemia, lipolysis, and accelerated protein turnover, all leading to a loss of fat mass and body protein. The dysregulation of metabolic processes produces a negative energy balance.

Clinicians are currently treating cancer-related catabolic wasting with a variety of interventions, including nutritional supplementation, administration of cytokine inhibitors, steroids, hormones, cannabinoids, and thalidomide. Gemcitabine, a chemotherapeutic drug, has shown clinical benefits in treating cachexia. Newer nutritional intervention with megestrol acetate derivatives, gamma-receptor agonists, amino acid manipulations, myostatin inhibitors, and uncoupling protein modifiers is currently being explored. Further research must be done to investigate gender differences in relation to pathophysiology and therapy.

There is some evidence that the drug hydrazine sulfate may help cancer patients gain weight and improve the cachectic state. The drug is by prescription and should be given by a complementary physician familiar with its use, as it can be toxic. The dose is usually 60 mg a day. Narcotic painkillers or benzodiazepine anxiety-reducing agents cannot be given concomitantly.

 

On 5/10/2002 george r. wrote:

I am low on protein but eat all the right foods. What is a good supplement I can use?

Hi George,

I take the most effective natural whey protein isolate on the planet, it elevates your glutathione level & therefore your immune system is boosted. My doctor recommended it for my cancer. I don't have cancer anymore and I had started taking it since Sept.1 when I was diagnosed with stage 4, gleeson 9 & PSA of 128. My Psa is now 2.7.

Wanna feel strong and full of energy again while boosting your immune system at the same time.

www.immunotec.com/marjoe