Plasma glutamate levels directly correlate with the prostate Gleason score and the primary cancer’s aggression; this finding could lead to less invasive ways to diagnose prostate cancer rather than a biopsy and points to natural treatments for glutaminase rather than hormone therapy targeting testosterone.
This research study (1) published in 2012, was very clear in its conclusion, also showing that in men with metastatic cancer, serum glutamate was considerably higher that in men with only a primary tumour.
Back in 2012, the researchers suggested that it would be a much more accurate test for prostate cancer than taking a PSA reading or having a biopsy with its risks of infection and disease-spread.
Glutamate is an alternative fuel for cancer cells after sugar. It can be made from folic acid, glucose and is involved in fat metabolism but its primary precursor in glutamine, an amino acid widely available in protein, especially animal protein.
Glutamine is also a non-essential amino acid, meaning that if your body runs short, you simply make it from other sources. You muscles are glutamine-rich; you brain holds about 25% of the glutamine in your body.
Glutamine is available in meats such as chicken, game and steak, and bone broth. It is also found in cheese. Glutamate deprivation reduces prostate growth
Another conclusion of the study was that glutamate deprivation reduced growth, invasion and migration of prostate cancer. As does glutamate ‘blockade’.
Chris Woollams, former Oxford University Biochemist said, “This last point is extremely interesting. If glutamate blockade is a benefit what they are suggesting is blocking an enzyme, glutaminase, which they did in the research with a drug. Glutaminase converts glutamine into glutamate.
We have previously covered that compounds such as Ursolic Acid, lycopene, curcumin, EGCG, resveratrol, honokiol, valerian, ashwagandha, sulforaphanes and graviola can all block this enzyme. We know these compounds are also very useful against prostate cancer, and most also attack cancer stem cells, which are in higher-than-usual levels in prostate cancer.
It seems such as shame that no action has really come from this research. That doesn’t stop readers though, does it!?”
Go to: Diet, glutamine, glutamate
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Reference
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3739154/