AVEMAR

Avemar is fermented wheat germ that has been put through many different processes to achieve its remarkable capabilities.  It was discovered in Hungary at the Semmelweis Medical University of Budapest.  It is widely used in Europe but now is also gaining acceptance in the United States. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Institute has been recognizing the value of this product in treating cancer patients. I’ll try to explain how it works; it works in many different ways, on a cellular level to destroy cancer cells or at the least, to weaken their ability to thrive and hitting them with a toxic blast!

The mutated genes in cancer cells constantly urge these malignant cells to divide. In order to maintain the processes of rapid cell division, the cell metabolism must also be changed; the cell needs to adapt nucleic acids (RNA/DNA) and other constituents for its own use. Cancer cells adapt their metabolism to gain energy in a way that enables them to utilize the most abundant resource in circulation: glucose. (This is why so many “cancer diets” are based on no carbohydrates and no sugars.). In order to maintain a continuous proliferation, it is crucial that glucose is utilized continuously for synthetic (anabolic) biochemical processes.

Tumor cells easily adapt to this glucose-based metabolism and are capable of taking up and using enormous quantities of this molecule - up to 20-30 times more than normal cells.  One part of glucose is used by cancer cells for energy production, while another part will be used for the synthesis of nucleic acids, which are the building blocks of RNA and DNA.

To make a very complex group of processes simple for us lay people, the way Avemar works is to decrease the glucose-uptake of tumor cells in a dose-dependent manner and inhibit the production of ribose and deoxyribose, a sugar that is the backbone of DNA.  It also inhibits key enzymes that cancer cells need to grow.  Further, Avemar enhances TNFalpha (tumor necrosis factor alpha) production, thereby inhibiting tumor angiogenesis.  Angiogenesis is the ability of cancer cells to keep itself well supplied with blood.  It produces an enzyme that tells the circulatory system to send up more circulation or blood supply.  A lot of research in the States has been focused on anti-angiogenesis but Avemar works on many fronts which makes it a more powerful weapon. Think of cancer as an evil entity that circumvents the natural processes in the body to establish an evil empire which builds itself into a monster!  Avemar deconstructs cancer cells by working in many of these processes, turning them back into what they were before the onslaught of cancer which took control and cleverly used these natural processes to grow itself at an enormous rate.   

Avemar also has an immune modulating effect by exerting a selective inhibition of MHC-I (main histocompatibility-I) expression on the surface of tumor cells. Avemar seems to restore the immune system to its pre-damaged condition. The MHC genes are responsible for regulating antibody recognition which means Avemar is useful in autoimmune diseases, as well.

There have been hundreds of clinical studies with Avemar throughout the world and more recently, in the United States. Many of these studies showed that Avemar induces apoptosis or programmed cell death of cancer cells after the first 24 hours of use. It also has significant anti-inflammatory effects and supports detoxification, aiding the body in disposing of the dead cancer cells and any toxins formed in the process of apoptosis.   

Avemar originated in Hungary.  The company manufactures an identical supplement for pets called ImmunoVet but it is not available in the United States.  I have contacted the company to request information on ImmunoVet; they told me to use the Avemar because they are not exporting ImmunoVet into the States.  The dosage for ImmunoVet/Avemar is:

Cats - up to 5lbs 1/4 gram 1/4 teaspoonful of powder once a day sprinkled on food.
Cats - 5 and up lbs 1/2 gram 1/2 teaspoonful of powder once a day sprinkled on food.
Dogs - up to 22 lbs 1 gram 1/2 teaspoonful of powder once a day sprinkled on food.
Dogs - 22- 44 lbs 2 grams 1 teaspoonful of powder once a day sprinkled on food.
Dogs - 44- 66 lbs 3 grams 1 and 1/2 teaspoonful of powder once a day sprinkled on food.
Dogs - 66- 88 lbs 4 grams 2 teaspoonful of powder once a day sprinkled on food.
Dogs - 88 lbs and up 5 grams 2 and 1/2 teaspoonful of powder once a day sprinkled on food. In animal studies ImmunoVet (Avemar) had a strongly significant, dose-dependent anti-inflammatory effect. 

Read these research papers for more information:

http://www.avemar.com/docs/58_MediterrJNutrRehab.pdf
http://www.avemar.com/avemar_mode_of_action.php
http://www.ebmonline.org/cgi/content/full/230/2/144

It is used in conjunction with all forms of chemotherapy and has been proven to extend survival time and quality of life in human patients without any side effects except a loose stool.  It should not be taken at the same time as vitamin C.  Otherwise there are no restrictions.  It is taken on an empty stomach 2 hours after any other food or supplement and 2 hours before feeding.  It comes in a packet but I put it into capsules since my dog will not touch it as an addition to her food. I have a very finicky eater! I give it to her with frozen yogurt which is one of the recommended ways of using it.  Since I started her on Avemar, I have seen an almost instant improvement in energy levels, appetite and a return to a playful attitude. The secretions from her tumors have lessened considerably and her breathing has improved.  She gets Avemar once a day with no exceptions—it is a priority in her treatment.

I purchase Avemar at www.iherb.com

Barbara Bouyet
bouyet@roadrunner.com