About Methionine and Cancer

     Methionine/cysteine restriction is a powerful dietary approach that attempts to starve cancer cells of two essential amino acids.  Methionine/cysteine restriction has other applications in extending lifespan, improving metabolic health and lowering inflammation. Of all the different dietary approaches to cancer, methionine/cysteine restriction stands out as the approach most supported by scientific research. Methionine/cysteine restriction not only limits the availability of  amino acid necessary for cancer cell growth and survival, but also limits other critical amino acids that cancer cells require for growth and division. Normal cells are unharmed through these intermittent nutritional interventions. NORI has developed a specific methionine/cysteine restriction protocol that has been utilized for many years with proven success. It is recommended that one consults with NORI in applying a methionine/cysteine restricted diet for best results. We offer low-cost programs to support you.

     NORI has compiled many scientific papers on methionine restriction as a therapeutic tool in cancer therapy. Click here to download these studies that we have carefully reviewed and utilized in designing our methionine restriction protocol.

     Over 40 years of research has demonstrated that sodium selenite is a powerful selective chemotherapeutic agent. Click here to review the scientific studies on sodium selenite as an anti-tumor agent. Because sodium selenite is a non-patentable molecule, an insignificant amount of investment into clinical research has been available. Sodium selenite is very inexpensive readily available as a nutritional supplement. For cancer prevention, supplementation with sodium selenite at 200-400 micrograms per day is appropriate. For therapeutic purposes, the dose for sodium selenite ranges from 6,000-30,000 micrograms per day. Sodium selenite is a  small water soluble molecule so it has excellent bioavailability. It also has a sufficiently long plasma half-life to allow an excellent therapeutic response. Sodium selenite can be administered by IV injection or administered as a sublingual tablet. Do not self-administer sodium selenite as it can be toxic at excessive dosages and will cause severe nausea if if not taken properly. NORI can assist you with proper IV administration by working with your physician or through our support program. 

     Selenium is possibly one of the most studied nutritional factors associated with cancer prevention. Because of the data collected on the importance of adequate selenium for cancer prevention, numerous studies have looked at various forms of selenium for cancer treatment. Sodium selenite appears to be one of the most effective forms of selenium for cancer therapy.  There is some concern regarding the toxic nature of selenium compounds but at the dosages required for cancer treatment, there is no potential toxicity. Excessive selenium intake can cause reversible hair loss and changes to the nails. There are ongoing clinical trials at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of sodium selenite as a chemotherapeutic agent. When sodium selenite is combined with other pro-oxidants such as vitamin K3 and genipin, the response is enhanced through a synergistic mechanism creating a higher level of oxidative stress.

     Very promising studies demonstrate selective chemotherapeutic activity of molecular iodine across a variety of cancer cell lines. Breast cancer cell lines are especially sensitive to molecular iodine at very low concentration (< 4 micromoles). The iodide form of iodine does not induce apoptosis. The mechanism by which molecular iodine triggers apoptosis is nearly identical to sodium selenite and one would expect synergy form a molecular iodine and sodium selenite combination. Iodine supplements which are predominantly molecular iodine are available but there are stability issues that must me resolved. This ia an area deserving of further research. A phase II clinical trial found clear survival benefit from molecular iodine supplementation  at 5 mg per day combined with standard chemotherapy treatment.