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Cancer Uses Glutamine to Produce Succinate
In normal cells, glucose is converted to pyruvate, which is then oxidized for energy in the mitochondria, with some pyruvate being fermented for energy and recycling of intermediates in the cytoplasm. However, cells with impaired mitochondrial function ferment excessive pyruvate, leading to the production of lactic acid that must be shuttled out to avoid cell death, creating an acidic microenvironment conducive to disease progression. This acidic microenvironment supports tumor mass accumulation, cell proliferation, and spread to new areas. Dr. Seifried has proposed that glutamine also produces succinate, causing similar effects in the microenvironment.