Supporting your body during conventional cancer treatment

Receiving a cancer diagnosis is frightening and touches every aspect of a person’s life. While chemo and radiation are the most popular targeted treatment options, they can come with awful side effects and life long health struggles. By taking a holistic approach and addressing the root causes of illness, we can create an internal environment that fosters health and healing.

As discussed in my previous blog post on cancer prevention (which you can read here), cancer cells naturally exist in the human body. It only becomes a disease when these cells begin to multiply uncontrollably. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer and conventional treatment is chosen, it’s crucial to support overall functional balance to help the body endure treatment while the cancer is being targeted. Chemotherapy and radiation work by poisoning and destroying cancerous cells, and there is often concern about using antioxidants or detoxification strategies during treatment, as oncologists worry that certain supplements may reduce the effectiveness of these therapies.

Unfortunately, chemotherapy and radiation also damage healthy cells, making it essential to support the body's healing process. Many patients, following their oncologist’s guidance, choose to delay antioxidant and cellular support until after treatment. However, another option is to take an alternative approach by implementing strategic detoxification and cellular support between treatments. Regardless of the approach, helping the body recover and maintain resilience throughout the process is critical. One of the biggest challenges in conventional cancer treatment is ensuring the body remains strong enough to withstand its effects while promoting long-term healing.

In general, our greatest opportunities are often to:

1. Maximize nutrition

   1. Choose as much organic as possible - reduce toxins in food such as pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and anything artificial (e.g., colors, flavors, preservatives).

   2. Ensure enough protein, but when eating animal protein, choose only grass-fed, pasture-raised, and wild-caught. Many clients will be instructed to avoid red meat and/or minimize animal food, but getting enough protein is essential to avoid muscle loss, and the quality of that protein is paramount. It’s a delicate balance. Use plant proteins such as plant-based protein powders to make up for reductions in animal protein.

   3. Eat as many anti-inflammatory foods as possible, and reduce the intake of inflammatory foods such as sugar, processed grains, and highly processed omega-6 oils (e.g., corn, canola, and soybean oil).

      1.  There is evidence that high-dose curcumin can boost the effect of chemo and/or radiation. See these studies: Curcumin in combination with chemo, Curcumin enhances chemo and radiation therapy,  

   4. Nutrients supporting detoxification (consider timing relative to treatments). Consider supplementing with methylated B vitamins (or a multivitamin) and magnesium to help support methylation. Increase intake of cruciferous vegetables, alliums, and leafy greens.

      1. Sulforaphane, which is a compound found in broccoli, has been shown to provide synergistic effects when used with chemotherapy. 

2. Support immune function 

   1. Assess and replete immune system nutrient levels. 

   2. Ensure Vitamin D is at least 50 ng/ml.

   3. Ensure Zinc and Vitamins A and C are well into the upper half of the reference range.

   4. Consider IV vitamin C

3. Support toxin reduction/clearance

   1. Ensure adequate hydration (water with electrolyte minerals) and address any constipation. 

   2. Remove as many chemicals from the diet and lifestyle as possible - laundry products, personal hygiene products, cleaning products, air, water, etc.

   3. Modified citrus pectin (Pectasol-C by EcoNugenics brand) has been researched significantly and shown to inhibit cancer cell growth.

4. Create an environment for healing

   1. As with any chronic disease, it’s  essential to reduce stress as much as possible and get plenty of rest and sleep. This is a seemingly simple yet necessary area of essential practice for sustained healing. Getting support from friends and family (and cultivating comfort with asking for that help) is usually key here. 

   2. Mind-body therapies such as yoga, music therapy and meditation are considered even mainstream recommendations for supportive care during cancer treatment and to manage treatment-related side effects.

For additional support, between rounds of chemo, introduce daily green smoothies with ingredients like avocado, broccoli, kale, fresh lemon juice, cucumber, celery, and green apple. These will help boost antioxidant function for cellular healing and detoxification. If you’re looking for a more complete natural approach to healing cancer, this article by Dr. Axe provides excellent resources. 

Whether you or a loved one have been diagnosed with cancer or are simply looking to improve your health, the most important thing is to focus on what you can control. Fear and uncertainty can be overwhelming, but taking proactive steps no matter how small can help support well-being and promote healing.

In this blog's recipe, I'm highlighting a Minestrone Soup. Soups are among my preferred health foods because they are packed with nutrients. This particular soup is rich in fiber, antioxidants, and protein, which aid in gut health, immune system support, and maintaining steady energy levels.