FAQS
Immunocal® This unique product is manufactured by Immunotec Research in Montreal, Canada. It is not a prescription drug, but a powerful and patented un-denatured and highly bioactive whey protein dietary supplement that is loaded with glutathione precursors. Immunocal® took $10 million and 18 years of research to perfect. It is unique in the nutritional field as it is covered by 10 ‘Method of Use’ patents worldwide: 5 in the US, 3 in Canada and 2 in Australia. Immunocal® is a highly concentrated milk serum isolate which is high in protein (90% protein by weight) and is lactose-free and fat-free. Immunocal® shares many of the same immune promoting and enhancing properties of Mother's milk. Immunocal® has been clinically proven to increase serum and tissue glutathione levels, and its efficacy is validated by extensive research, including over 450 that appear in the medical literature. These scientific papers can be examined through MEDLINE (the US National Library of Medicine). Immunocal® increases glutathione which is your cells' own natural antioxidant and most potent detoxifier. Immunocal® has been demonstrated to enhance both healthy and deficient immune systems, and is validated as an effective nutritional supplement by the medical community. Immunocal® is the only non-prescription dietary supplement to appear in the year 2000 to 2009 Physician's Desk Reference (PDR) for Prescription Drugs, although it is available without prescription! It has its own NDC (National Drug Control) number, and is reimbursable under Medicaid, Medicare, and by private insurance in some states. It is also now listed in the Canadian doctor’s drug guide the CPS Guide and has been given approval by Health Canada.
No,
there are no known potential or reported interactions between Immunocal and nu
No,
there are no known interactions between Immunocal and prescription drugs.
Immunocal is composed of the same basic proteins that are found in human breast
milk, and should be considered to be as safe to take as mothers' breast milk.
Furthermore, Immunocal® is 90% protein, and is one of the best sources of
highly absorbable protein on the planet. Patients taking immunosuppressant
drugs such as Cyclosporin® after such
Immunocal®
increases serum and tissue glutathione levels. When liver tissue glutathione
levels rise, the liver is able to more effectively detoxify the body (which is
a beneficial function of Immunocal®). Some patients (especially those who have
been exposed to high levels of environmental toxins) may have a mild temporary
reaction to these mobilized toxins as the liver is removing them from storage
in body fat. Typically, reducing the dose of Immunocal® will allow these
temporary side effects quickly disappear. Immunocal is composed of the same
basic proteins that are found in human breast milk, and has the same side
effect profile as mothers' breast milk. Because Immunocal® is a milk protein,
persons who are mildly allergic to milk proteins may experience minor gastric
distress from Immunocal®. This gastric distress usually disappears if you
reduce the dose of Immunocal®. Persons with serious milk-protein
allergies should not take Immunocal®.
Your
greatest risk is wasting your money if you take "too much" Immunocal®.
Clinical data seems to indicate there is limited benefit from exceeding 30
grams (3 packets) per day of Immunocal®. Because our cells have an innate
mechanism of "feed-back inhibition" with respect to the glutathione
synthesis precursors (building blocks) provided by Immunocal®, there is no
potential for making "too much glutathione" within the cell if large
quantities of Immunocal® are consumed. Immunocal® supplementation will result
in establishment of normal glutathione levels, (NOT excessive
glutathione levels) within the cell. Excess Immunocal® would be metabolized as
protein (Immunocal® is an excellent source of protein, containing 90% protein
by dry weight).
No,
Immunocal® is not con
These
patients are usually instructed not to ingest wheat or gluten. There is no
wheat, or gluten in Immunocal. Furthermore, Immunocal® is lactose-free. There
is no reason to believe that Immunocal® would be detrimental in patients with
Celiac Sprue Disease.
People
with an allergy specifically to milk protein, (which is very rare). NOTE:
Please understand that lactose intolerance is NOT a milk allergy. Also, anyone
who has had an organ transplant and is receiving immunosuppressant therapy
should not take Immunocal. The immune system needs to be suppressed in order to
prevent organ rejection.
9
grams or 90% Protein, 0 mg Fat, less than 1% Lactose, 60 mg of Calcium, 4
micrograms of Selenium, 30 Mg of Potassium, 4 mg of Iron, and approximately 40
Calories.
Check
with your physician or health care professional. If you do not have a
documented glutathione deficiency and are taking Immunocal for good health, one
pack per day is the usual maintenance dose.
Generally, most studies conducted using Immunocal in patients with
glutathione deficiencies used at least 20 grams per day (2 pouches), and some
studies showed increased effectiveness using up to 30 grams (3 pouches) per
day.
Vitamin
E and C are important antioxidants, and you should consider these important
supplements in your diet. Immunocal® is not an antioxidant per se, but provides
the building blocks for the synthesis of the principle intra-cellular
antioxidant, glutathione. Glutathione is the most potent cellular antioxidant
known to man, and is hundreds of times more potent than vitamin C or vitamin E.
For this reason, glutathione has been called the "Super
Antioxidant". By raising the
glutathione level within our bodies we provide for the optimum functioning of other
lesser antioxidants such as vitamins C and E.
More importantly, glutathione serves as a detoxifying agent for multiple
toxins that we encounter on a daily basis through the environment and the
medications we take. Glutathione has been demonstrated to act as an effective
protectant against ultraviolet radiation, which is important in view of the
continued loss of the ozone layer.
Because
Immunocal is a very fine and delicate powder, we recommend mixing it with any
juice or liquid that is not above lukewarm (110 degrees F), and NEVER above 120
degrees F. First, mix the packet with
approx. 1 tablespoon of the liquid you have chosen, to form a paste. Then pour
the liquid to fill your glass. Allow it to sit for a few minutes, stir, and
enjoy. Immunocal can also be mixed in applesauce, yoghurt, or sprinkled over
cereal without any particular mixing procedure. The product should not be mixed
at high speed in a blender (mechanical mixing damages the milk proteins). If
you are making a breakfast “smoothie”, put all the ingredients except the Immunocal®
into the blender, mix at high speed, then reduce the blender speed to ‘Fold’ or
‘Low’ before adding the Immunocal®.
You
can mix Immunocal by hand, whisk or covered shaker cup.
Yes, Immunocal®
has less than 1% lactose which should not cause any ill effect even in the most
severe case of lactose intolerance.
Yes. There have been many thousands of research
studies proving that raising glutathione levels is an effective
There
are over 100 diseases and conditions associated with low glutathione
levels. Most of the degenerative
diseases of aging and the autoimmune diseases have been studied and linked to
low GSH levels including: Acetaminophen poisoning, ADD, Addison's disease,
aging, AIDS, alopecia areata, ALS, Alzheimer's' disease, anaemia (haemolytic),
ankylosing spondylitis, arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), arthritis
(rheumatoid), asthma, autism, autoimmune disease, burns, cacexia, cancer,
candida infection, cardiomyopathy (idiopathic), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome,
colitis, coronary artery disease, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, Crohn's disease,
eczema, emphysema, Epstein Barr Viral (EBV) syndrome, fibromyalgia, free
radical overload, Graves' disease, hepatic dysfunction (liver disease),
hepatitis B, hepatitis C, hypercholesterolemia (high blood cholesterol),
herpes, infections (viral, bacterial and fungal), inflammatory bowel diseases
(IBD), lupus, macular degeneration (diabetic and age-related macular
degeneration), malnutrition, Meniere's disease, multiple sclerosis, Myasthenia
Gravis, neurodegenerative diseases, nutritional disorders, Parkinson's disease,
primary biliary cirrhosis, progeria, psoriasis, rheumatic fever, sarcoidosis,
scleroderma, shingles, stroke, surgery, toxic poisoning, trauma, vasculitis,
vitiligo, Wegener's Granulomatosis, to name a few.
Immunocal has been shown to differ from other whey proteins in its effect upon the immune system. Specifically, scientific studies on other whey proteins have not shown the same immune stimulating effects that are seen with Immunocal®. Immunocal has been extensively studied in the clinical literature. Comparing the bioactive ingredients in Immunocal to those in other whey proteins clearly shows the superiority of Immunocal®. Immunocal is a bioactive dietary supplement that is supported by eighteen years of research through rigorous clinical trials that have been published in peer review journals. These studies, performed in world-renowned medical and scientific institutions, attest to the efficacy of Immunocal. Immunocal studies have shown that Immunocal not only increases intracellular levels of GSH (glutathione or glutathione precursors) following ingestion, but also significantly builds up the stores of these substances inside the cells. This beneficial effect lasts for considerable periods of time after ingestion of Immunocal. Commercial whey proteins are pasturized where Immunocal is not. Immunocal has no fat or lactose while commercially sold whey does have these. Immunocal is made from ‘organic milk’, commercially produced whey is made from milk with steroids, antibiotics and growth hormones in them.
Concentrations of 3 bioactive and thermo labile (easily damaged by heat) proteins that are contained in the milk serum: serum albumin, alpha lactalbumin and lactoferrin. Because these compounds can be damaged by heat (in excess of 140 degrees F) or excessive mechanical agitation, Immunocal® must not be cooked, heated, or placed in a steel-bladed blender. For these reasons, and to preserve the bioactivity of its serum albumin, alpha lactalbumin and lactoferrin, Immunocal® has not been exposed to standard high-temperature Pasteurization. Rather, it has been bio-filtered to remove bacteria, and subjected to a patented process of low-temperature purification procedures to ensure its safety and purity.
Yes they certainly can.
Pedia
Weight
(pounds) |
Weight
(kilos) |
Dose (pouchs) |
Dose (grams) |
Dose (mls) |
Dose (Tbsp.) |
Dose (tsp.) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10 |
5 |
1/4 pouch |
2.5 |
10 |
|
2 |
15 |
7 |
|
3.5 |
15 |
1 |
3 |
20 |
10 |
1/2 pouch |
5 |
20 |
|
4 |
25 |
12 |
|
6 |
25 |
|
5 |
35 |
15 |
3/4 pouch |
7.5 |
30 |
2 |
6 |
40 |
17 |
|
8.5 |
35 |
|
7 |
45 |
20 |
1 pouch |
10 |
40 |
2.5 |
7.5 |
No. The power of our patents is not in manufacturing. Immunocal
patents (presently there are ten patents on Immunocal®: 5 US patents, 3
Canadian and 2 Australian patents relate to the METHOD OF USE. That is, no
other whey protein can state: "clinically PROVEN to stimulate the immune
system", and "significantly raises glutathione levels".
Additionally, although there are dozens of companies producing DENATURED
(high-heat Pasteurized) whey proteins (primarily for use as a protein source in
body-building), there currently is no company manufacturing an UNDENATURED whey
protein product similar to Immunocal. Over 450 clinical studies and medical
reviews appear in the clinical literature which specifically involved Immunocal®,
and not other whey proteins. Accept no imitations.
Glutathione
is the master antioxidant of the body. Without glutathione, we would die. The
replenishment of the glutathione levels within the lymphocytes (also called
leukocytes or white blood cells) increases the intensity of the immune
response. The increase in glutathione levels also results in the proliferation
of lymphocytes that act as scavengers, and helps to combat infections. Selenium
is a structural component of, and a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme
glutathione peroxidase. For this reason, supplementation with selenium can
modestly increase glutathione levels in persons who are selenium deficient.
Glutathione is a tri-peptide of the amino acids cysteine, glycine,
and glutamic acid. Tissue glutathione levels increase when cysteine
levels increase within the cell. This is why cysteine is critical in the
production of glutathione. Prior to the
development of Immunocal, no effective way was known to safely and
significantly increase cysteine levels in the cell over long periods of time. A
deficiency of glutathione can cause haemolysis (the destruction of red blood
cells resulting in severe anaemia) and numerous diseases of oxidative stress.
Glutathione is essential in intermediary metabolism as a donor of sulfhydryl
groups that are essential for the detoxification of the liver. The antioxidant
enzyme glutathione peroxidase functions in the process of elimination of wastes
from the body. Glutathione works within the liver, lungs, colon, kidneys, and
skin in the process of removing toxic cellular metabolic wastes.
Glutathione
must be produced within the cells (intra-cellularly). Clinical and laboratory studies demonstrate
that oral glutathione is NOT absorbed but will be eliminated by the liver
through the bile before ever reaching the systemic circulation (blood stream).
Several studies have suggested that supplementing with oral glutathione may
actually do the reverse and depress cellular and blood levels of glutathione.
Injectable glutathione also has limited benefits. It is unstable in the blood
stream. By the time it reaches the cell, much of it has been degraded, and much
of the remaining glutathione cannot effectively pass through the cell membrane.
Cysteine is not well absorbed when taken by mouth. Clinical studies have demonstrated that oral cysteine
supplementation (NAC or N Acetyl L-Cysteine) is not effective in
increasing cysteine levels within the cell, and also has not been
associated with significant increases in glutathione levels within the cell.
The three bioactive proteins supplied by Immunocal constitute a "natural
delivery system" from these cysteine precursors to the cell (in order to
facilitate clinically and statistically significant increases in
glutathione levels in BOTH the extracellular serum and intracellular tissues). Because
Immunocal® provides the building blocks for “BONDED” cysteine, and these
building blocks for “BONDED” cystine are easily transported inside the cell
where they can be quickly synthesized into glutathione, Immunocal® is therefore
ideally suited to increase glutathione levels within the cell.
N
Acetyl L-Cysteine (NAC) is sulphur containing (sulfhydryl) amino acid, which is
present in many proteins, and is in the same class as the amino acid
methionine. NAC is a naturally occurring amino sugar and is a form of cysteine
which has been demonstrated to facilitate the SHORT TERM cellular
detoxification of alcohol, tobacco smoke, acetaminophen [Tylenol®] poisoning
and environmental pollutants in several in-vitro (in a test-tube) studies. When
Cysteine is heated, molecular bonds are cleaved and it becomes Cysteine.
Cysteine is beneficial if it is produced INSIDE the cell, but is mildly toxic
if it is produced outside the cell. NAC does not travel well in the blood
stream, and doesn't reach the cells (to be used to synthesize glutathione and
Glutamic acid). NAC supplementation over long periods has been associated with modest
increases in serum glutathione, but has not proven particularly useful
in the treatment of chronic, long-term intracellular glutathione
deficiencies. Furthermore, therapeutic levels of NAC are relatively toxic and
have been associated with significant side effects. At therapeutic doses, oral
NAC supplementation has been associated with cerebral symptoms: nausea, blurred
vision, and vomiting. Immunocal provides the precursors for the manufacture of
intra-cellular cysteine, and effectively delivers these to the cell. For this
reason, Immunocal supplementation has been associated with sustained and
significant increases of cellular glutathione, and is virtually devoid of
troublesome side effects. Immunocal® has the same side-effect profile as
mothers' milk.
The
proteins in colostrum have almost no cysteine content. Cysteine is critically
essential to the immune system. Although growth factors present in colostrum
(including IGF-1, or Insulin-like growth Factor-1 which is effective in
promoting muscle growth) are not affected by stomach acid, research published
by one manufacturer of Colostrum (Vital Health News, Winter 1998, page
7) demonstrated that "the effectiveness of the immune factors
present in colostrum is lowered by stomach acid."
Although
the immune enhancing factors found in colostrum are often "preferable to
single isolated immune components" (such as interferon, which is more
likely to cause troublesome side effects), colostrum has NOT been demonstrated
to be superior to isolated undenatured whey proteins such as Immunocal®.
Colos
Immunocal®
has been clinically demonstrated to increase exercise capacity by 13 percent (Lands
et al., 1999), and may be useful as a supplement for competitive athletes. Wattanabe
et al. (
In
the manufacturing of other whey proteins several things occur: in the process
of heating and Pasteurization, critical bonds holding the cysteine together get
broken down ("denatured", meaning they lose their original
nature--similar to the denaturing and irreversible changing of liquid egg white
by the heating process involved in frying an egg). The exact type of proteins
that serve to increase tissue and serum glutathione most effectively are lost
or diminished. The researchers at Immunotec (the manufacturers of Immunocal®)
have developed a process by which these delicate proteins remain intact in
their natural form to serve us most effectively.
Natural
killer (Immune) cells may become glutathione-depleted over time, and their
immune response weakens. Immunocal raises glutathione levels and strengthens
the immune system to fight cancer, viruses, bacteria, etc. For those patients
receiving traditional medical therapy for their cancers, Immunocal supplies
lactalbumin and has been clinically proven to raise glutathione levels.
Glutathione and lactalbumin (a component of Immunocal®) have been associated
with the strengthening of healthy cells and (paradoxically) the weakening
of cancerous cells. In research conducted by C. Svanborg et al,
lactalbumin was associated with apoptosis (or the programmed death) of breast
cancer cells. Glutathione has been scientifically demonstrated to decrease
cancerous cells' resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs, while protecting healthy
cells. This should allow a patient to respond better to chemotherapy with fewer
side effects.
There is no ‘best time’ to take this product. Because foods such as yoghurt and
orange juice are generally morning foods, most people take Immunocal/® with
breakfast. There is nothing wrong with
taking it with lunch or dinner or as a