 Dr. Gustavo Bounous, MD FRCSC
Career Investigator of the Medical Research Council and recipient of the 1965 medal of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, Dr. Gustavo Bounous in conjunction with a colleague from the McGill University Faculty of Medicine initiated a novel research program to search for a dietary protein source that would boost the immune system.
This research led to the discovery of laboratory animals that were
living from 30% to 50% longer than normal, and of an undenatured serum milk concentrate that sustains normal glutathione levels and promoted immuneoenhancing and anticarcinogenic activity.
Dr. Gustavo Bounous had discovered a health promoting milk serum (whey) protein isolate that contains unusually high amounts of glutathione (GSH) precursors, notably cystine and glutamylcystine.
The milk serum Dr. Gustavo Bounous discovered now has its own NDC (National Drug Control) registry number and meets the coding determination for coverage by Medicare and Medicaid. (Health supplements do not require a doctor's prescription, although a prescription is required for reimbursement coverage under Medicare and Medicaid) it's also Listed in the prescription edition of the 2005 (PDR)
and the Pharmacist's Red Book.
Glutathione
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Glutathione is a small molecule found in almost every cell. It cannot enter most cells directly and therefore must be made inside the cell. Unfortunately glutathione diminishes from within the cells with aging, sickness, and even exercise.
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Glutathione plays a crucial role in maintaining a normal balance between oxidation and anti-oxidation. This, in turn, regulates many of the cell’s vital functions, such as the synthesis and repair of DNA, the synthesis of proteins and the activation and regulation of enzymes.
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Glutathione is the major antioxidant produced by the cell, protecting it from free radicals. Given the critical role of antioxidants in good health, it is not surprising that the body manufactures its own natural antioxidant to protect each and every living cell in the body. Scientists call glutathione (GSH) "the master antioxidant" because all other antioxidants depend on the presence of glutathione to function properly. Glutathione recycles well-known antioxidants such as vitamin C and vitamin E, keeping them in their active state.
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Glutathione synthesis is absolutely essential in the support of lymphocytes and their production of antibodies, vital components of the immune system. Dr. Gustavo Bounous, a leading glutathione expert says, "The limiting factor in the proper activity of our lymphocytes (white blood cells) is the availability of Glutathione." Elevated glutathione levels enable lymphocytes to replicate themselves over and over (called monoclonal expansion) in order to attack the whole pathogen population. This optimizes the proliferation of antibody production by the lymphocytes, including the "natural killer" cells and "T-helper" cells.
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Glutathione is a very important detoxifying agent, enabling the body to get rid of undesirable toxins and pollutants. Toxins are unavoidable in these modern times. They can be found in the food we eat, the water we drink and the air we breath. When the body has its health and the nourishment it needs, it works tirelessly to eliminate toxins. Increased levels of environmental pollution are depleting the body's stores of glutathione (GSH) more and more rapidly. Our main organ of detoxification is the liver - the body's most concentrated source of glutathione. Studies show that low glutathione levels lead to poor liver function, causing more and more toxins to circulate through the body and resulting in damage to individual cells and organs.
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Each and every cell in the body is responsible for its own supply of glutathione, and must have the necessary raw materials to make it.
Whey Proteins And Pasteurization
In the manufacturing of most whey proteins several things happen during the process of heating and pasteurization. Critical bonds holding the cystine together get broken down, and the exact type of proteins that serve to raise glutathione most effectively are often lost or diminished. The difference between most whey proteins and undenatured bioactive whey proteins is that the concentrations of the 3 bioactive proteins contained in the undenatured milk serum is retained. These thermolabiles, (serum albumin, alpha lactalbumin and lactoferrin) are rich in known precursors of glutathione.
Whey Proteins Role In Bone Formation
In addition to containing minerals that enhance bone growth, whey protein was recently reported to contain an active fraction that stimulated the proliferation and differentiation of cultured osteoblasts (bone-forming cells). If the intestine absorbs these active components, they may play an important role in bone formation in humans.Source: Takada, Y., et al.1996. “Whey protein stimulated the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblastic MC3T3-E1cells.”
Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun., 223: 445–449.
Undenatured Bioactive Whey Proteins And Antioxidants
Whey proteins, as such, are not antioxidants but provide the building blocks for the synthesis of intracellular glutathione, which is a principal intracellular antioxidant.
Links:
Benefits of Glutathione Enhancement in Disease or Stress: Pulmonary Disease
Glutathione: New Supplement on the Block
Nutritional therapy of chronic hepatitis by whey protein (non-heated)
Enchancing effect of patented whey protein isolate on cytotoxicity of an anticancer drug
Effect of supplementation with a cysteine donor on muscular performance
The use of a whey protein concentrate in the treatment of patients with metastatic carcinoma: a phase I-II clinical study
Treatment of obstructive airway disease with a cysteine donor protein supplement
Effect of supplementation with a cysteine donor on muscular performance
Dr. J. R. Crewe, of the Mayo Foundation, forerunner of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN
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