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ARTEMISININ  UPDATE

     One of the often asked questions of our library staff after reading the two articles on the internet, Cancer Smart Bomb, Part I (www.mwt.net/~drbrewer/canart1.htm), and Cancer Smart Bomb, Part II (www.mwt.net/~drbrewer/canart2.htm),is about how much follow-up we have on patients taking artemisinin as part of a nutritional support program for various kinds of cancer.  Unfortunately, the answer is “not very much”.    We have received, and continue to receive numerous initial inquiries, but very few result responses.

RESPONSE TO ART:    First of all, readers need to be reminded that even in the original test tube (in vitro) studies, artemisinin, like all compounds, works more effectively with certain cancers.  To reiterate, test tube studies demonstrated that it is most effective against leukemia, colon cancer, and then demonstrates varying degree of activity against many other cancers, including: melanoma, breast, ovarian, prostate, central nervous system and renal cell carcinomas.   So the first potential misunderstanding can occur with someone not really looking at the research results for their kind of cancer.

DOSAGE  TO  TAKE:     Secondly, there is still no definitive decision on what dosage of artemisinin to take.  People call asking for specific dosage recommendations for them or for their pets, which we cannot give.   No one is absolutely sure of what dosage to take.  Different doctors may recommend different dosages and different combinations of the three ART compounds,  artemisinin, artemesin, artemeter, although artemisinin is probably the most often used. 
     There are several things to keep in mind when considering dosage:

1. The majority of people take ART  compounds two times a day, on an empty stomach in the morning at least an hour before breakfast, and in the evening, at least 4 hours after eating.  
2. Artemisinin is mostly fat soluble, meaning it is absorbed much better in the presence of fatty substances.   Various high-fat food substances have been recommended such as ice cream, whole milk or yoghurt.   Some physicians have recommended taking it with cod liver oil capsules, CLA (conjugated linoleic acid), or flaxseed oil. One cancer patient reported good results using almond oil from Spectrum Naturals.  He dissolved his artemisinin in the almond oil and took it with a glass of water.  He reported that his cancer markers went down when he switched to using that almond oil with his artemisinin.  One other point to consider about people using dairy products such as whole milk or ice cream is that they do require some digestive action in the body with enzymes, and this may slow down the absorption of the artemisinin compounds, although this has not been tested.  One factor in favor of whole milk products is that they contain some butric acid, which may increase artemisinin’s effectiveness.  (See butyric acid link below.)   
3. Lower dosages of artemisinin, which would be around 150 mg a day as a total dosage, have been taken for extended periods of time by many people.  One person reported that he had taken it for over a year at that dosage.   
4. Higher dosages in the range of 400 to 1000 mg, are suggested by many internet sites and a few physicians.   The problem with this approach is that the research has shown that within a very short time of use of high dosages, the body’s inherent feedback mechanism reduces the intestinal absorption of the artemisinin by up to 70%.   There is another very important consequence to consider about taking high dosages of artemisinin:   the whole idea of taking ART compounds in the first place is to cause apoptosis to cancer cells, while leaving healthy cells alone; the possibility exists that if excessive amounts of ART compounds are taken, there could be a spillover of artemisinin into healthy cells, with some resultant destruction to them.             

Doctors Utilizing ART Compounds:
Although there certainly are physicians and nutritional consultants who are guiding people on the use of artemisinin, and butyrate compounds, there is no list of them that can be found.  One option might be to consult the American College for Advancement in Medicine, (ACAM list of doctors: 1-888-439-6891 or www.acam.org/dr_search/) who do alternative therapies, usually IV therapies for chelation.  They might also be familiar with artemisinin and/or other nutritional support protocols for cancer.   
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DISCLAIMER: The author of this article as well as the publisher offer the contained information only for educational purposes. It is not intended to be used as a means to diagnose, prescribe, or treat any health condition. The information contained in this article is not intended to be used for self-treatment or to replace consultation with a qualified health care provider. Neither the Brewer Science Library nor the author assume any responsibility for the implementation by anyone of any of the information contained in this article.