What is Insulin Potentiation Therapy?
Insulin potentiation therapy or IPT is a treatment characterized by administrating insulin for chemotherapy sessions. It is a kind of medical treatment associated with chemotherapy, which is believed to provide beneficial effects for cancer treatment. However, due of the lack of scientific shreds of evidence regarding its effectiveness, IPT is considered to only be a theory and a controversial kind of medical care.
Since there is no enough proof of its scientific claims, insulin potentiation therapy is not recommended for cancer patients. However, if they wish to do so, it must be observed at their liability. Note that some patients living with cancer do not necessarily have diabetes, making this treatment discouraged as it can cause a drop in blood sugar levels.
How Does It Work?
During a chemotherapy session, a dose of insulin is administered into a patient’s vein. Because of this added procedure in treating cancer, only a lower dose of chemotherapy drugs is given. This concept supports two theories and mechanisms that some general practitioners adhere to. These are as follows:
- The permeability of cells is believed to be the doings of the insulin hormones. Once the cells become more absorbent, the effects of chemotherapy drugs can greatly benefit the treatment procedure. The powerful chemicals of chemotherapy drugs penetrate fast into the cancer cells, thus, killing these cells in the process.
- Insulin is believed to break or divide the cells. Because of this action, the cells are fragile and vulnerable to the functions and effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs.
The theories mentioned were not proven to be true. Aside from its unreliable claims, it can give negative effects on people who do not have diabetes. It could add more to the existing health complications of cancer patients, with symptoms such as severe headaches, hallucinations, and fever. Additionally, one of its major consequences is having to experience low blood glucose levels. Its signs include dizziness, shakiness, sweating, irritability, confusion, pale skin, and irregular heartbeat.
There are clinical trials performed to withstand its efficacy in treating cancer. However, the results say otherwise. Chances of survival by following this treatment were not issued because of its inability to provide prerogatives of IPT.
Currently, chemotherapy is considered the main treatment for cancer. Sessions are scheduled based on the doctor’s prescription to maintain the regulation of the medication as well as the progress of the treatment. Note that Insulin potentiation therapy can induce several risk health factors. It is necessary to talk to your doctor always about the kind of treatment you will be receiving.
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Disclaimer: Please note that the contents of this community article are strictly for informational purposes and should not be considered as medical advice. This article, and other community articles, are not written or reviewed for medical validity by Canadian Insulin or its staff. All views and opinions expressed by the contributing authors are not endorsed by Canadian Insulin. Always consult a medical professional for medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment.
