Press-Pulse Protocol
The world's first medical retreat centre dedicated to Dr Thomas Seyfried's groundbreaking Press-Pulse Protocol: A non-toxic, mitochondrial metabolic approach to managing cancer and other chronic diseases. Combining peer-reviewed science with holistic and functional medicine all in a tranquil setting ripe for healing.
"No tumour cell can survive in the absence of glucose and glutamine".
The Press-Pulse Protocol targets the unique metabolic vulnerabilities of cancer with precision. Since the body converts protein into glucose and glutamine, dietary restriction of these nutrients alone isn't enough. The approach blocks cancer's access to these critical fuel sources in synergy with other non-toxic therapies offered at our clinic.
The result? A powerful strategy not just for managing cancer and chronic disease but boosting mitochondrial metabolic function, overall health and lifespan.
What is Press-Pulse?
Unlike healthy cells that thrive on alternative fuels like ketones and fatty acids, cancer cells are metabolically inflexible. Tumour cells rely almost exclusively on glucose and glutamine to grow, even if they can use other fuels temporarily. These other fuels aren't available in sufficient amounts to fuel cancer's rapid growth.
Press: Continuous restriction of these fuels, with diet, substrates and medications, stresses cancer cells without harming healthy ones.
Pulse: While under metabolic stress from lack of fuel, we persistently cycle non-toxic "killing phases" that include glutamine blockers, IV drips, HBOT and more, for 3-6 months while monitoring for signs of progression/regression. Think of it as the one-two punch that knocks out cancer while strengthening the body's natural defenses.
Why 3-6 months?
Timing is everything: this window applies enough metabolic stress to trigger regression if pulsed persistently and sufficiently before cancer can adapt. It is often the only treatment needed if done correctly in this timeframe. If any tumour remains, we expect it to be significantly smaller and less aggressive—an ideal situation for surgical debulking and continuation of a maintenance program at home with monitoring by your oncological team.
Who Is It For?
The Press-Pulse Protocol is ideal:
- As first-line treatment for all stages of cancer (0-4) of any type and ideally started when you are first diagnosed, when the body is still strong, before surgery, chemo, radiation or immunotherapy
- As an adjunct to standard cancer treatments to enhance their effectiveness
- As treatment for chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and cognitive decline
- For bio-hackers to optimize cellular health and extend health-span
- As a yearly prevention strategy
The Mitochondrial Connection
The root of cancer—not faulty genes but broken mitochondria, triggering a cascade of critical failures evident in ALL cancer cells.
- Broken Cristae—the folds of the inner mitochondrial membrane that hold the Electron Transport Chain (ETC) leads to a broken chain and energy loss
- The broken ETC leads to massive leakage of oxygen molecules.
- Mitochondria can no longer use oxygen—the last electron acceptor in the ETC to make energy (ATP)
- When not paired with electrons oxygen molecules form Free Radicals
- Massive Free Radical leakage overwhelm natural defenses and causes massive damage to cellular structures
- Free Radicals are mutagenic and carcinogenic
- Broken mitochondria lose control of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) important for immune response and cellular communication
- Broken mitochondria lose control over apoptosis (programmed cell death)
Everyday Assaults That Prime Cells for Cancer
While some gene variants raise cancer risk, they don't cause cancer directly and aren't destiny—they tend to weaken mitochondrial function. One common example is the MTHFR variant, which impairs folate metabolism critical for detoxification. Another is the BRCA1 variant common in breast cancer that impairs the cleanup of dysfunctional mitochondria and increased inflammation. These can be buffered with targeted supplements and therapies, and avoidance of mitochondrial disruptors:
- Chronic stress
- Certain antibiotics and medications including fluoridated toothpaste, mouthwash, water or salt.
- Toxins like phthalates, pesticides, forever chemicals, heavy metals, mould, viruses, allergens, alcohol, and highly processed food
- Poor sleep, lack of sunlight and artificial light that disrupt mitochondrial antioxidant defenses
- Chronic circulatory impairment including lack of exercise
- Chronic inflammation
- Calorie excess
- Carbohydrate overload
- Insulin resistance
- You eat carbs > your body breaks them into glucose (sugar), which enters your blood stream.
- Your pancreas, sensing the glucose in your blood, releases insulin, the "key" that unlocks the cell door, so glucose can enter and be used for energy.
- Overtime, due to sugar overload, belly fat, stress or lack of movement your cells stop listening > your cells become resistant to the insulin. The locks get rusty. There is no dietary requirement for glucose. The body can make all it needs from proteins and fatty acids.
- Since cells stopped taking in the sugar, it stays in your blood causing high blood sugar levels.
- The pancreas overcompensates, pumping out more insulin to force sugar into cells. This leads to high insulin levels (hyperinsulinemia).
- A vicious cycle begins: High insulin > more fat storage > more resistance > more insulin.
- Meanwhile, any cancer cells present stay insulin-sensitive and feast on the sugar, causing rapid growth while the insulin-resistant cells starve. More dietary carbs > more insulin > the more cancer cells get sugar (a primary fuel source for cancer growth).
Resources:
- Crossfit Video: Cancer as a Mitochondrial Disease
- Tedx Talk: Starving Cancer: Dr Dom D'Agostino
- Investigating The Link Between Metabolism And Cancer
- Read the book for FREE
