The following articles were published about Immunocal in major Canadian
newspapers in October and November of 1999
René
Angelil [Husband of superstar singer Céline Dion] Takes Immunocal
by Michelle Coude-Lord
"Le Journal de Montreal" on Sunday, October 17, 1999
In his fight against cancer and with the approval of his doctor in Florida, René
Angelil has included Immunocal in his daily menu since last April.
There is no commercial agreement between René Angelil and Immunotec, but the
Dion family has close ties to doctors working in the field of cystic fibrosis,
and they are aware of the work of Dr. Lands. One evening late last March, Thérèse
Dion, Céline Dion’s mother, met with the representatives of Immunotec to
discuss cancer treatment.
“I don’t believe in coincidences,” Mrs. Dion told us this week. “It all
happened at the time I learned that René had cancer. I called Céline to tell
her about Immunocal. René’s doctor, who had contacted Dr. Bounous, saw no
reason why René couldn’t take this vitamin supplement.”
Dr. Bounous points out that “the discovery that whey proteins slow
carcinogenesis (the process of cancer formation) and tumour growth itself had
already been confirmed by researchers in Australia, the US and Europe. Their
tests were conducted on different species of animals and on different types of
tumours. The proteins encourage the cellular production of glutathione, an
important antioxidant which acts to strengthen the cells of the immune system.
We can presume that, under these conditions, the immune system is more effective
in combating small tumours.
“But this theory must be proven scientifically,” continues Dr. Bounous.
“This is why the work of renowned researchers like Dr. Lands is necessary.
Studies on Immunocal will be presented next May at an international conference
in New York organized by the Mount Sinai Hospital. They will deal specifically
with the manipulation of cellular glutathione in the treatment of cancer and
AIDS.”
The Foundation
René Angelil has no association with Immunotec, beyond taking the whey
supplement. In this, he is like thousands of other people in the US where
Immunocal is sold. The Achille Tanguay Foundation, which gives assistance to
poor and underprivileged families and which was founded by Thérèse Dion,
receives a direct contribution of $10 on each natural product sold.
“We want to eliminate poverty, and Immunotec wants to prevent sickness,”
says Mrs. Dion. “We are happy with this association simply because we want to
help. I would like to make it clear that our family derives no other benefit.”
Hope
for Céline Dion
An Exciting Medical Discovery For The Immune System Helps Céline's Husband
...Rene Angelil
QUEBEC--(BW HealthWire)--Nov. 15, 1999-- Celine Dion can now sing forth `my
heart will go on' with new meaning.
"Eight months ago her husband René Angelil was diagnosed with melanoma [of
the throat] and that cast a shadow not only over her career, but over her life.
She has subsequently taken a hiatus from touring and recording, to concentrate
on more important matters.
Now thanks to some important breakthrough research out of Montreal, Canada, it
was recently reported in Le Journal de Montreal that Rene has been making good
progress. He has made use of an important innovation discovered by the eminent
research scientist Dr. Gustavo Bounous.
The Dion family has close ties to doctors working in the field of cystic
fibrosis, and they are aware of the work of respirologist, Dr. Larry Lands who
is one of the many specialists now pursuing the clinical applications of Dr.
Bounous' discovery. Dr. Lands says, ``In situations of on-going oxidative stress
like COPD and cystic fibrosis, there is an even greater demand for the
antioxidant Glutathione (GSH), compared to normal healthy individuals. Nothing
can be more vital for anyone than breathing, but that can be exhausting for
patients with lung disease. The same oxygen that sustains life, poses metabolic
challenges to human cells that need to mount adequate defense. It appears that
increasing GSH is the cells' most effective response. The delivery of Immunocal(r)
provides the only safe, effective and convenient source of the essential
precursors.'' (Please see Dr. Land's published case
report
of Immunocal® supplementation in a patient with COPD.) But that's not all. So
much that goes wrong with the human body starts with a broken down immune system.
When that happens we lose the war against common microorganisms, toxins, even
cancer and the like.
Last March, Therese Dion, Celine Dion's mother, met with Bounous, Lands and
others to discuss their work and became fascinated by the new approaches to
health and disease management.
``I don't believe in coincidences,'' Mrs. Dion told us this week. ``It all
happened at the time that I learned that Rene had cancer. I called Celine to
tell her about Immunocal. Rene's doctor, who had contacted Dr. Bounous himself,
saw no reason why Rene couldn't take this supplement.'' It is now past six
months that Rene has been adding Immunocal to his daily regimen, with surprising
efficacy.
Dr. Bounous points out that ``the discovery that specific whey proteins slow
carcinogenesis (the process of cancer formation) and tumor growth itself have
been confirmed by researchers in Australia, the US and Europe. The tests were
conducted on different species of animals and on different types of tumors.
These remarkable proteins which are also found in mother's breast milk,
encourage the cellular production of glutathione, which acts to strengthen the
cells of the immune system. We can presume that under these conditions, the
immune system is more effective in combating renegade cells and small tumors.
``Preliminary results are encouraging but this theory must be proven
scientifically,'' continues Dr. Bounous. ``This is why the work of renowned
researchers like Dr. Lands is necessary.''
Studies on Immunocal® will be presented next May at an international conference
in New York organized by the Mount Sinai Hospital. They will deal specifically
with the manipulation of cellular glutathione in the treatment of cancer and
AIDS.
That's just the beginning."
Céline
Dion's Husband Reneé Angelil declared Cancer-Free
Excerpted from an eonline.com news report by Marcus Errico
Jun 9, 2000, 1:15 PM PT
"Pop music's most celebrated wannabe mom is (finally) with child.
The hitherto fertility-challenged Celine Dion has announced she's due next March.
"We just found out," she says in a statement Friday. "In three
weeks, if all goes well, we'll hear the heart of our baby, beating inside of my
tummy."
Last week, Dion, 32, confirmed that she had undergone fertility treatment in New
York to help her jump-start a family with 57-year-old manager-hubby Rene Angelil.
Apparently the procedure was successful.
The news ends a year-long disheartening period for the "My Heart Will Go On"
diva. A year ago, she announced she was semi-retiring from musicdom to
concentrate on raising a family and spending time with Angelil, who was
recovering from cancer. (In her statement today, Dion says recent tests have
shown no cancer in her husband.)
Then in February, Dion filed a $20 million lawsuit against The National Enquirer,
saying it falsely reported she was pregnant with twins. "This thing has
really upset me," Dion said at the time. "Since the story came out,
everyone has been congratulating me, and I have to keep telling them that it's
not true. I only wish it was true, and I hope and pray that some day it will be."
Her prayers apparently have been answered. "This time it's for real--I'm
pregnant," her statement Friday reads. "We are completely, totally
happy. And we thank God for the great joy we've been given.
"Over this past year, we went through a terrible test together, but we made
it through stronger, closer, more loving than ever."
Whey-based
Vitamins Bring Relief to Children with Cystic Fibrosis and Asthma
by Michelle Coude-Lord
"Le Journal de Montreal" on Sunday, October 17, 1999
Dr. Larry Lands, a pediatric lung specialist at the Montreal Children’s
Hospital, is studying the effects of Immunocal, a natural product produced by
Immunotec Research Ltd. of Vaudreuil, on young patients suffering from cystic
fibrosis and asthma.
If studies prove conclusive, Dr. Lands believes that it could be appropriate to
combine the product with other natural products of proven effectiveness.
“I am not saying that anyone should run out and look for this product. There
is no miracle drug here,” adds the specialist, well known in Quebec for his
work with young cystic fibrosis patients.
But the doctor notes that this natural whey-based product is produced by a
unique process. He believes, furthermore, that it reinforces the immune system.
“Above all, I am interested in finding out if it stimulates the production of
glutathione, which is closely tied to the types of infections these children
suffer from.” Dr. Lands continues, “The study with cystic fibrosis patients
has been underway for several months now, and the initial results are promising.
It would be worthwhile expanding the study to include, for example, children
with pulmonary asthma who suffer from repeated infections. The whey could
encourage the body’s production of healthy cells in diseased lungs. (Please
see Dr. Land's published case
report
of Immunocal® supplementation in a patient with COPD.)
“We need to be open to the idea of combining traditional medicine with what is
known as natural medicine.”
Whey
The use of Immunocal was criticized when it was introduced in 1987. In the US,
however, it is recognized by several specialists and is considered a medication.
This is not the case in Canada, however, since Health Canada has classified it
as a food.
Dr. Gustavo Bounous of Immunotec, the man behind this product and a former
research scientist at the National Research Council, is delighted with the work
of Dr. Lands.
“We want to prove that there is a scientific basis for this product’s
effectiveness,” says Dr. Bounous, “and we encourage specialists and research
scientists to use it. We are also in the midst of dialogue with one of the major
Universities in Quebec. It is not a miracle drug, but its effect on the immune
system is clear.”
Immunocal is not the first vitamin and mineral supplement on the market, but
according to Dr. Lands, it is produced in a unique way, and it can have a
positive effect on some patients.
Whey is collected during the production of cheese. It is microfiltered to remove
bacteria and then ultrafiltered to remove the protein; the resulting paste is
dried and reduced to powder. Thirty pouches sell for $75.
Dr. Lands adds, “I advise people, however, to consult their doctor before
taking the supplement.”