Hydrazine sulfate was first proposed as an anticachexia agent based on its inhibition of the gluconeogenic enzyme, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase.

Cancer's main devastating effect on the body is cachexia, the wasting away of the body characterized by weight loss and eventual debilitation.

Cancer cells depend on sugar to feed and grow. The sugar consumed by the cancer cells is generated mainly from the liver, which converts lactic acid into glucose. Normal cells derive glucose from the food we eat, not from lactic acid.

When cancer cells use sugar (glucose) as fuel, they only partially metabolize it. Lactic acid - the waste product of this incomplete combustion - spills into the blood and is taken up by the liver. The liver then recycles the lactic acid back into glucose, and the sugar is consumed in ever-increasing amounts by voracious cancer cells in a vicious cycle.

Prospectively randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies have indicated that Hydrazine Sulfate: (a) normalized abnormal glucose metabolism, (b) resulted in increased effectiveness of ingested calories, (c) caused weight gain or weight stabilization, (d) reversed protein breakdown and muscle wasting, (e) maintained serum albumin levels, and (f) resulted in statistically significant survival increase in lung cancer patients.

MAO Inhibitor
Hydrazine Sulfate is an MAO Inhibitor, meaning it inhibits an enzyme that breaks down monoamines (serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine), the brain chemicals that make us happy. MAO inhibitors have been used as antidepressants

Warning: Hydrazine Sulfate is an irreversible and potent MAO (monoamine oxidase) inhibitor, a class of compounds that can have potentially deadly interactions with other drugs. For over three decades it has been known that central nervous system depressants—such as barbiturates, tranquilizers and alcohol—are incompatible with MAO inhibitors and use of the two together could result in extremely dangerous effects.

Warning: MAOs have another job in the body, however: they metabolize tyramine, an amino acid. When taking an MAO inhibitor, tyramine is not broken down, and eating foods with tyramine can raise your blood pressure and heart beat dramatically and cause severe headaches. This is a very dangerous condition, especially for someone already battling cancer. Most foods containing tyramine are not on a recommended cancer diet plan, and should be avoided even if not using Hydrazine Sulfate.

Foods to avoid that contain tyramine are mainly aged, fermented, or pickled, such as most cheeses, lunch meats, hot dogs, yogurt, wines and beers. Here is a list of some foods that contain tyramine:

Dry and fermented sausage (bologna, salami, pepperoni, corned beef, and liver), pickled herring and salted dried fish, broad beans and pods (lima, fava beans, lentils, snow peas, and soy beans), meat extracts, yeast extracts/brewer's yeast, beer and ale, red wine (chianti, burgundy, sherry, vermouth), sauerkraut, some fruits (bananas, avacados, canned figs, raisins, red plums, raspberries, pinapples), cultured dairy products (buttermilk, yogurt, and sour cream), chocolate, caffeine (coffee, tea, and cola drinks), white wine, port wines, distilled spirits, soy sauce, miso, peanuts, almonds, beef or chicken liver, herring, meat tenderizer, MSG (Accent), pickles, and pumpkin seeds. In general, any high protein food that has undergone aging should be avoided. Also, any over-the-counter cold or allergy remedy should also be avoided.

And, as always, check with your doctor or nutritionist if you have a question.


Sources:
–The Truth About Hydrazine Sulfate by Dr. Joseph Gold, M.D.
–Options: The Alternative Cancer Therapy Book by Richard Walters
–http://www.seniors-site.com/altmed/