by Marcel Hernandez, ND
When welcoming a new cancer patient to Pacific Naturopathic, I tell them about the four components of our adjunctive cancer care program, and how they offer support for the cancer experience.
The first leg of the program is oral supplementation. Regardless of frequent internet hype to the contrary, oral supplements aren’t going to cure cancer, although they can perform valuable support functions, such as correcting nutrient deficiencies, decreasing inflammation, preventing angiogenesis (growth of new blood vessels that feed cancerous tissues), stimulating the immune system, and in some cases, causing some cancer cell death (apoptosis).
The second leg of the program is the mind/body connection. This part of the program tends to be the most difficult for our new patients to understand and implement, since western medicine confines itself almost entirely to addressing illness at the physical level.
Abundant scientific evidence has comprehensively demonstrated that stress undermines the immune system, increasing the body’s susceptibility to opportunistic illnesses. Also, subconscious fears and other cancer-caused anxieties can contribute to poor outcomes.
We have an extremely effective, proven mind/body treatment program at Pacific Naturopathic. Improving overall health by boosting mental and emotional functioning may not yet be part of mainstream approaches to dealing with cancer, but the results speak for themselves. We are always happy to discuss this important aspect of an adjunctive cancer program with our patients.
The third leg of the program is nutrition. The dietary approach that we have developed at Pacific Naturopathic is composed primarily of common-sense advice for healthy eating – namely a low-carb diet with lots of fruits and vegetables, adequate non-red meat protein, healthy oils, plus eating mostly organic foods and avoiding additives of all kinds.
The foundation of our dietary advice is a modification of the famed Mediterranean diet, long regarded as the healthiest diet in the world. For patients from ethnic backgrounds who have special dietary preferences, we can help them modify their traditional diets to be more supportive of their cancer care.
The fourth leg is intravenous therapy. The heart of the IV program is intravenous vitamin C, which countless studies have shown to be therapeutically effective in treating most cancers. We also offer IVs that address the peripheral neuropathy caused by chemotherapy, and IVs that address nutrient deficiencies resulting from the cancer experience.
Not mentioned above are other elements essential to cancer therapy, such as a consistent exercise program, a dedicated support community, and the importance of integrating spiritual wellness in the overall scenario.
For information about the services we offer, we invite you to get in touch in any of these convenient ways: (1) give us a call at 650-961-1660, (2) use the Contact Form, or (3) follow the link to Consultations – Pacific Naturopathic. Thank you!