Recently Diagnosed or Relapsed? Stop Looking For a Miracle Cure, and Use Evidence-Based Therapies To Enhance Your Treatment and Prolong Your Remission
Multiple Myeloma an incurable disease, but I have spent the last 25 years in remission using a blend of conventional oncology and evidence-based nutrition, supplementation, and lifestyle therapies from peer-reviewed studies that your oncologist probably hasn't told you about.
Click the orange button to the right to learn more about what you can start doing today.
And the answer was a resounding yes. Men and women who consumed more protein while weight training did develop larger, stronger muscles than those who did not.
I am a long-term survivor of an incurable blood cancer called multiple myeloma. Though myeloma is a blood cancer, it is sometimes referred to as a bone disease because more than 80% of MM patients will experience bone damage at some point during their disease. Bone health therefore, is a priority all MMers must have for the rest of their lives. Protein is needed for muscle health and muscle health is needed for bone health.
The studies linked and excerpted below all talk about protein, muscles and lifting weights. When I read articles and studies like these, all I can think about is the effect protein, muscles and lifting weights have on my bone health. Weight-bearing exercise enhances bone health at all ages. To be fair however, I posted an article below that talks about the possible harms of getting too much protein.
So what is a MM patient/survivor to do?
Combining my personal MM survivor experience with the two articles below I view the protein/muscle/bone debate two ways. As a long-term MM survivor who views bone health as a priority I exercise frequently but moderately. I do this to maintain muscle and bone strength. To be clear I do what I do nutritionally for my health. I am a 58 year old man with a BMI of 22 and a Smart Body Mass Index of 32/70.
MMers with kidney involvement should talk to their oncologist before supplementing with protein. I exercise six times weekly and therefore am comfortable adding protein powder to my daily diet.
“People who would like to become physically stronger should start with weight training and add protein to their diets, according to a comprehensive scientific review of research.
The review finds that eating more protein, well past the amounts currently recommended, can significantly augment the effects of lifting weights, especially for people past the age of 40. But there is an upper limit to the benefits of protein, the review cautions.
On the other hand, any form of protein is likely to be effective, it concludes, not merely high-protein shakes and supplements. Beef, chicken, yogurt and even protein from peas or quinoa could help us to build larger and stronger muscles.
It makes intuitive sense that protein in our diets should aid in bulking up muscles in our bodies, since muscles consist mostly of protein. When we lift weights, we stress the muscles and cause minute damage to muscle tissue, which then makes new proteins to heal. But muscles also will readily turn to and slurp up any bonus proteins floating around in the bloodstream…
Using databases of published research, they looked for experiments that had lasted at least six weeks, included a control group and carefully tracked participants’ protein intake as well as the eventual impacts on their muscle size and strength.
They wound up with 49 high-quality past experiments that had studied a total of 1,863 people, including men and women, young and old, and experienced weight trainers as well as novices. The sources of the protein in the different studies had varied, as had the amounts and the times of day when people had downed them.To answer the simplest question of whether taking in more protein during weight training led to larger increases in muscle size and strength, the researchers added all of the results together.
And the answer was a resounding yes. Men and women who ate more protein while weight training did develop larger, stronger muscles than those who did not…
The impacts of this extra protein were not enormous. Almost everyone who started or continued weight training became stronger in these studies, whether they ate more protein or not.But those who did ramp up their protein gained an extra 10 percent or so in strength and about 25 percent in muscle mass compared to the control groups. The researchers also looked for the sweet spot for protein intake, which turned out to be about 1.6 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day. In practical terms, that would amount to about 130 grams of protein a day for a 175-pound man. (A chicken breast has about 45 grams of protein.)…
That number is considerably higher, however, than the protein levels called for in the current federal recommendations, which suggest about 56 grams of protein a day for men and 46 grams a day for women…
“We think that, for the purposes of maximizing muscular strength and mass with resistance training, most people need more protein” than is advised in the recommendations, says Rob Morton, a doctoral student at McMaster who led the study.
That advice holds especially true for middle-aged and older weight trainers, he says, almost none of whom were getting the ideal amount of protein in these studies and who, presumably in consequence, tended to show much smaller gains in strength and muscle size than younger people….
On the other hand and conveniently, any type of and time for protein was fine. The gains were similar if people downed their protein immediately after a workout or in the hours earlier or later, and it made no difference if the protein was solid or liquid, soy, beef, vegan or any other….”
“Protein has achieved a venerated status in the dietary world for everything from building muscle to preventing weight gain. But can you get too much of a good thing…?
But while some nutritionists have encouraged the protein craze, a number of experts are urging caution. They point out that protein powders and supplements, which come from animal products like whey and casein (byproducts of cheese manufacturing) or from plants like soy, rice, pea or hemp, are a relatively new invention. The vast majority of Americans already get more than the recommended daily amounts of protein from food, they say, and there are no rigorous long-term studies to tell us how much protein is too much…
“No one can tell you the long-term effects, and that’s what worries me as a physician. No one can tell you what the results are going to be in people’s bodies 10 or 15 years later…”
People need sufficient protein in the diet because it supplies indispensable amino acids that our bodies cannot synthesize on their own. Together they provide the essential building blocks used to make and maintain muscle, bone, skin and other tissues and an array of vital hormones and enzymes.
But the average adult can achieve the recommended intake — 46 grams of protein a day for women, and 56 grams for men — by eating moderate amounts of protein-rich foods like meat, fish, dairy products, beans or nuts every day…
American men already consume much greater amounts, averaging nearly 100 grams of protein a day, according to a 2015 analysis of the 2007-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The revised Dietary Guidelines for Americans, released in January, cautioned that some people, especially teenage boys and adult men, should “reduce overall intake of protein foods” and eat more vegetables…
Among the groups that fall short on protein intake are teenage girls, who may not eat properly, and elderly people, who are at risk of losing muscle mass and whose appetites often slacken with age…
Doctors also have concerns about the long-term effects of maintaining a high protein diet. Studies show that protein-rich diets do not preserve muscle mass over the long term, and doctors have long cautioned that a high-protein diet can lead to kidney damage in those who harbor silent kidney disease by putting extra strain on the kidneys. Up to one in three Americans are at risk for kidney impairment because of high blood pressure or diabetes, according to the National Kidney Foundation…
Furthermore, some researchers worry that the muscle building properties that consumers seek in protein may be a double-edged sword, perhaps even leading to an increased risk of cancer…
Skeptics dismiss these concerns as speculative, saying they are not supported by adequate evidence. And some nutritionists advise adults to consume twice as much protein as currently recommended.
“There is a distinction between what is absolutely minimally required and a more optimal intake level,” said Stuart M. Phillips, a professor of kinesiology at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, whose research has been supported by trade groups like the National Dairy Council and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. He advises adults to eat 30 to 40 grams of protein at every meal to help alleviate the loss of muscle that can occur with aging…
Multiple Myeloma Therapy- Vitamin K2 Pro Bone, Anti-Myeloma
CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin K2 may be a good candidate for myeloma patients, particularly patients who are not suitable candidates for intensive cytoreductive chemotherapy due to age and/or complications.
Translation of the above- Vitamin K2 has been shown to be cytotoxic to multiple myeloma (MM), vitamin K2 builds bone strength and vitamin K2 is non-toxic. K2 is an evidence-based, non-toxic multiple myeloma therapy.
The three properties that make this vitamin supplement ideal for MM patients and survivors before, during and after conventional therapies.
I was diagnosed with MM in early 1994. I struggled with conventional therapies until 9/97 when I was finally told that “nothing more could be done for me.” I underwent a non-conventional therapy and achieved complete remission by the beginning of 1999.
My fear has always been that my MM might relapse someday. Therefore I work at maintaining my MM free status.
Evidence-based non-toxic therapies shown to kill multiple myeloma are:
Vitamin K2
Curcumin
Green Tea Extract
Resveratrol
Whole-body Hyperthermia
Anti-angiogenic foods
frequent, moderate exercise
and many other therapies. Like I said, I work at remaining MM free.
Vitamin K2 is a remarkable supplement. Like all vitamins, it is possible to overdo this supplement but as a person living with multiple myeloma (MM), the pros more than outweigh the cons.
Zoledronate (Zometa), etc. come with side effects, toxicity and expense.
According to the study linked an excerpted below, vitamin K2 inhibits the growth of myeloma. No matter the age or stage of your diagnosis, vitamin K2 can be a useful therapy for you. While the study below doesn’t put K2 in the same class as chemotherapy regimes such as Velcade or Revlimid, it does frame K2 as a therapy for MMers.
If you are a newly diagnosed MM who will not undergo an autologous stem cell transplant, (newly diagnosed myeloma patients over the age of 70 can’t undergo autologous stem cell transplantation in many cases) then you may want to consider those evidence-based, non-toxic therapies that research has shown fights MM.
“BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Physiologically, vitamin K compounds act as co-factors for g-carboxylation of selected glutamates at the N-terminus of prothrombin and some other coagulation factors. These congeners have some growth inhibitory effects of human neoplastic cells. Furthermore, vitamin K2 (VK2) cause apoptosis of some leukemic cells. In search for a new candidate agent to use in the maintenance treatment of myeloma, we analyzed the growth inhibitory effects and apoptosis-inducing capacity of VK2 in human myeloma cells.
RESULTS: Myeloma cells and B-cell lymphoma cells were sensitive to VK2. The growth inhibition was caused by apoptosis and activation of caspase-3. The generation of superoxide, and inhibitory effects of the xanthine oxidase inhibitor allopurinol, were demonstrated in myeloma cells. The phosphorylation of MAPK was increased by VK2 in myeloma cells. In addition, the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway was activated.
INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS: VK2 may be a good candidate for myeloma patients, particularly patients who are not suitable candidates for intensive cytoreductive chemotherapy due to age and/or complications.
“Objective-To review the evidence for the use of vitamin K supplementation in clinical conditions such as osteoporosis, vascular calcification, arthritis, cancer, renal calculi, diabetes, and warfarin therapy…
Main Message- Vitamin K2 may be a useful adjunct for the treatment of osteoporosis, along with vitamin D and calcium, rivaling bisphosphonate therapy without toxicity. It may also significantly reduce morbidity and mortality in cardiovascular health by reducing vascular calcification. Vitamin K2 appears promising in the areas of diabetes, cancer, and osteoarthritis. Vitamin K use in warfarin therapy is safe and may improve INR control, although a dosage adjustment is required.
Conclusion-Vitamin K supplementation may be useful for a number of chronic conditions that are afflicting North Americans as the population ages. Supplementation may be required for bone and cardiovascular health…”
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Hi David! So another question on MM effects. My Dad has been experiencing his stomach muscles tightening automatically after a few minutes of walking. It bothers him in a sense that his stomach tightening is not normal. Has anyone else complained of this? Is his body compensating because of bone density? Any ideas? Thanks!
Two replies- I have read of MM patients experiencing different muscle/nerve issues but never a stomach muscle issue. I don’t know if your dad’s stomach muscles are compensating for bone density.
Good morning David, Thank you for the response. I agree; His stomach muscles are compensating for the lack of stronger bones in the area. I have him on 1Kmg of Calcium/ day, Global Healing IntraCal Natural Calcium and Magnesium Orotate Supplement for Maximum Absorption and per your website I ordered a K2 supplement. We are currently at a crossroad. His doctor wants us to decided whether to take Revlimad or Valcade. The only problem with Valcade is he may develop Neuropathy. Any thoughts or suggestions?
You are correct. Nerve damage is a common side effect of velcade/bortezomib. Consider integrative therapies to reduce his risk of side effects.
The decision to undergo chemo or not depends on your goals, your dad’s age, stage of MM, symptoms, etc. I can make suggestions only if I know about the variables that I listed.
I don’t mean to complicate your thinking Henry but this is why I do what I do. The MM CC course and consultation is all about your situation.
Thank you for the suggestion of integrative therapies. He is receiving daily massages with a CBD oil and finish with a CBD cream on most of his upper and back body and arms. To give you more insight/ varibles, my Dad’s age is 89 and is according to his Oncologist in remission. As of early last year, he was diagnosed with MM on 87% of his bones. Aside of what his Oncologist was given him, we’ve countered with supplements, CBD, organic food and cut out red meats. So we’ve done something positive to help him but as you know and we are learning, MM is one of the worse Cancers one can have.
When it comes to vitamin K2 there are two kinds of vit.K2–MK7 and MK4.MK7 is found in natto,made from fermented soy beens,while MK4 is made by our body cells ,which not always are able to make it,perhaps also age related, and also highly found in products like hard yellow cheese made from the milk of caws that pasture in natural green medows,like in Holand or Switzerland etc.There is a big different between the two ,I think I read in Japanies resurce for osteoporosis of old women that the best for them was the MK4 type,and also the Dutch resurce said the same.the MK7 need\dose is mesured in micrograms–100mcrs a day.the MK4 need is mesured in miligrams–15mg a day.to which one of the K2 do you reffer here? thank you for your answer
Because I am doing the course in order, as requested, I have not gotten to the section on supplements. I am taking life extension super K which includes two forms of K2 plus K1. I’ll be interested to see if this is a good choice. Great articles!
All of the comments on the above article, as well as many of the comments on other articles I’ve read, only appear as an ellipsis, the title of the article, and then…. The commenters words are nowhere to be found. Can you help me know how I can read these comments by other members? Thanks!
