HAMLET and Whey

Rather than being literature, HAMLET, as it applies to nutraceuticals, refers to the protein called 'Human Alpha-Lactalbumin made lethal to tumors'. It (alpha-lactalbumin) is a protein found in Whey Protein and milk in general (including breast milk) and it binds to oleic acid, the primary fatty acid in eggs and Olive Oil

It is a highly interesting research molecule since it appears that the addition of oleic acid dose dependently unfolds the protein, and this new meta-protein is then able to selectively kill tumor cells, unhealthy cells and young cells, with no actual influence on healthy cells. Quite an effective anti-tumor agent.

It is thought that it is formed in the body after consumption of bovine alpha-lactabumin (milk products) and human alpha-lactalbumin (breast milk in an infant); there seems to be no significant difference between the source of alpha-lactalbumin as both are potent.

Problems, however:

  • Currently, it is synthesized in vitro and used for research purposes

  • No study has yet identified it in vivo, despite both alpha-lactalbumin and oleic acid occurring in the body

  • No studies have been conducted on its oral ingestion and biological activity

It is an interesting topic since two food products can combine to create a wholly unique and novel protein, and it would be the definition of food-food interactions if merely putting olive oil in your whey (or, to a lesser extent, eating eggs with cheese) could confer anti-tumor activities by the combination.

Preliminary and interesting topic.