300 Joseph Carrier, Vaudreuil-Dorion, Québec J7V 5V5 • Tel: 450.424.9992 • Fax: 450.424.9993 • www.immunotec.com
As listed in the Compendium of Pharmaceuticals and Specialties (CPS)
Immunocal®
Whey protein isolate
Glutathione Precursor
Immunotec
NPN(s): 80004370
Pharmacology
IMMUNOCAL
is
a
natural
source
of
the
glutathione
precursor
cysteine
for
the
maintenance
of
a
strong
immune
system.
It
is
fat
-
free
and
contains
less
than
1%
lactose
and
has
a
high
protein
biological value (>110 BV) providing all essential amino acids.
The
systemic
availability
of
oral
glutathione
is
negligible;
the
vast
majority
of
it
must
be
manufactured
intracellularly
from
precursors.
Glutathione
is
a
tripeptide
made
intracellularly
from
its
constituent
amino
acids
L-glutamate,
L-cysteine
and
glycine.
The
sulfhydryl
(thiol)
group
(SH)
of
cysteine
serves
as
a
proton
donor
and
is
responsible
for
the
biological
activity
of
glutathione.
Provision
of
this
amino
acid
is
the
rate-limiting
factor
in
glutathione
synthesis
by
the
cells
since
bioavailable
cysteine
is
relatively
rare
in
foodstuffs.
Furthermore,
cysteine
if
ingested
as
the
free
amino
acid
L-cysteine,
has
toxic
potential
and
is
spontaneously
catabolized
in
the
gastrointestinal
tract
and
blood
plasma.
Toxicity
is
avoided
when
cysteine
is
integrated
into larger proteins such as serum albumin, alpha lactalbumin and lactoferrin.
IMMUNOCAL
is
an
undenatured
bovine
whey
protein
isolate
specially
prepared
to
provide
a
rich
source
of
bioavailable
cysteine.
Following
digestion,
the
cysteine
remains
as
the
stable
form
cystine
(2
molecules
of
cysteine
linked
by
a
disulfide
bond)
and
glutamylcystine.
After
absorption,
these
dipeptides
travel
safely
in
the
blood
stream
and
readily
enter
the
cells
to
release
free
cysteine
for
intracellular
glutathione
synthesis.
IMMUNOCAL
is
a
cysteine
delivery
system.
The
disulphide
bond
in
cystine
is
pepsin
and
trypsin
resistant
but
may
be
split
by
heat,
low
pH
or
mechanical
stress,
releasing
free
cysteine.
When
subject
to
heat
or
shearing
forces
(inherent
in
most
extraction
processes),
the
fragile
disulfide
bonds
within
the
peptides
are
broken
and
the bioavailability of cysteine is greatly diminished.
300 Joseph Carrier, Vaudreuil-Dorion, Québec J7V 5V5 • Tel: 450.424.9992 • Fax: 450.424.9993 • www.immunotec.com
Glutathione has multiple functions:
1.
It is the major endogenous antioxidant produced by the cells, participating directly in the
neutralization of free radicals and reactive oxygen compounds, as well as the
maintenance of exogenous antioxidants such as vitamins C and E in their reduced (active)
forms.
2.
Through direct conjugation, it detoxifies many xenobiotics (foreign compounds) and
carcinogens, both organic and inorganic such as heavy metals, aromatic hydrocarbons,
nitrosamines, benzopirines and others including pharmacological agents such as
acetaminophen.
3.
It is essential for the immune system to exert its full potential, e.g. (1) modulating antigen
presentation to lymphocytes, thereby influencing cytokine production and the type of
response (cellular or humoral) that develops, (2) enhancing proliferation of lymphocytes
thereby increasing magnitude of response, (3) enhancing killing activity of cytotoxic T cells
and NK cells, and (4) regulating apoptosis, thereby maintaining control of the immune
response.
4.
It plays a fundamental role in numerous metabolic and biochemical reactions such as DNA
synthesis and repair, protein synthesis, prostaglandin synthesis, amino acid transport and
enzyme activation. Many systems in the body are adversely affected by low glutathione
levels, including the immune system, the nervous system, the gastrointestinal system and
the cardiovascular-pulmonary system.
Health Claim
Glutathione
augmentation
is
a
strategy
developed
to
address
states
of
glutathione
deficiency,
high
oxidative
stress,
immune
deficiency,
and
xenobiotic
overload
in
which
glutathione
plays
a
part
in
the
detoxification
of
the
xenobiotic
in
question.
Many
clinical
pathologies
are
associated
with
glutathione
deficiency
and
oxidative
stress
and
are
elaborated
upon
in
numerous
medical
references.
Low
glutathione
is
also
strongly
implicated
in
cachexia
and
negative
nitrogen
balance
seen
in
muscle
wasting.
Immunocal
has
been
demonstrated
to
improve
muscle
function and it is clinically proven to raise glutathione.
Contraindications
In individuals who develop or have known hypersensitivity to specific milk proteins (this does
not include lactose intolerance).
300 Joseph Carrier, Vaudreuil-Dorion, Québec J7V 5V5 • Tel: 450.424.9992 • Fax: 450.424.9993 • www.immunotec.com
Warnings
Patients undergoing immunosuppressive therapy should discuss the use of this product with
their health care practitioner.
Heating or adding IMMUNOCAL to a hot liquid or use of a high-speed blender to reconstitute it
will significantly decrease the effectiveness of the product.
Precautions
Each
pouch
of
IMMUNOCAL
provides
9
g
of
protein.
Patients
on
a
protein-restricted
diet
need
to
take
this
into
account
when
calculating
their
daily
protein
load.
Although
a
bovine
milk
derivative,
IMMUNOCAL
is
well
tolerated
by
lactose-intolerant
individuals.
IMMUNOCAL
is
contraindicated
in
individuals
who
develop
or
have
known
hypersensitivity
to
specific
milk
proteins (this does not include lactose intolerance).
Individuals with the autosomal-recessive metabolic disorder cystinuria, are at higher risk of
developing cysteine nephrolithiasis (1-2% of renal calculi).
Pregnancy - No adverse effects have been reported. A health care practitioner should be
consulted prior to use if the patient is pregnant or has reason to believe she is.
Lactation – No adverse effects have been reported. A health care practitioner should be
consulted prior to use if the patient breast feeds.
Geriatrics - Glutathione levels drop with age. Dosage recommendations may rise with
increasing age.
Adverse Effects
IMMUNOCAL
is
a
natural
source
of
protein
classified
as
a
Natural
Health
Product
and
has
not
been
statistically
assessed
for
adverse
effects.
Gastrointestinal
bloating
and
cramps
are
possible
if
the
product
is
not
sufficiently
rehydrated.
Transient
urticarial-like
skin
rash
has
been
reported
in
rare
individuals
undergoing
severe
detoxification
reaction.
Skin
rash
abates
when
the
intake
is stopped or reduced.
300 Joseph Carrier, Vaudreuil-Dorion, Québec J7V 5V5 • Tel: 450.424.9992 • Fax: 450.424.9993 • www.immunotec.com
Overdose
Symptoms
and
Treatment
-
There
have
been
no
reports
of
toxicity
from
overdosing
on
IMMUNOCAL.
Glutathione
is
a
tightly
regulated
intracellular
constituent
and
is
limited
in
its
production
by
negative
feedback
inhibition
of
its
own
synthesis
through
the
enzyme
gamma
-
glutamylcysteine synthetase.
For
management
of
a
suspected
drug
overdose,
CPhA
recommends
that
you
contact
your
regional
Poison
Control
Centre.
See
the
eCPS
Directory
section
for
a
list
of
Poison
Control
Centres.
Dosage
As
a
natural
source
of
the
glutathione
precursor
cysteine
for
the
maintenance
of
a
strong
immune
system,
20
g
per
day
is
recommended.
30-40
g
per
day
has
been
used
in
clinical
trials
without ill effects.
IMMUNOCAL is best administered on an empty stomach or with a light meal. Concomitant
intake of another high protein load may adversely affect absorption.
Supplied
Each
individually-sealed
foil
pouch
contains:
10
g
of
powder,
9
g
of
which
is
protein.
The
other
is
represented
by
naturally
occurring
ingredients
including
ash,
trace
minerals
and
trace
amounts
of vitamins. Boxes of 30 pouches.
IMMUNOCAL
is
a
dehydrated
powdered
whey
protein
isolate.
It
must
be
appropriately
rehydrated
before
use.
Remains
bioactive
up
to
12
hours
after
mixing.
Ideally,
it
should
be
consumed
immediately
after
mixing.
Should
the
product
be
premixed
for
later
consumption,
it
should
be
refrigerated
and
consumed
within
a
short
period
after
mixing.
Do
not
heat
or
use
a
hot
liquid
to
rehydrate
the
product
or
use
a
high-speed
blender
for
reconstitution.
These
methods
will
decrease
the
effectiveness
of
the
product.
Proper
mixing
is
imperative.
Consult
instructions
included
in
packaging.
Store
in
a
cool
dry
environment.
Avoid
excessive
heat.
Refrigeration is not necessary.
Compendium of Pharmaceuticals and Specialties, online version (e-CPS).
© Canadian Pharmacists Association, 2016. All rights reserved.
Copy courtesy of Dr. Vicky Dominguez, D.Sc.
www.immunotec.com/drvicky