Integrative Health Blog

Breast cancer is a prevalent and life-altering disease that affects millions of women worldwide. Over the years, researchers have explored various factors that may influence breast cancer risk and outcomes. One such area of interest is the relationship between breast cancer and vitamin D deficiency. In this blog, we will delve into the existing research and shed light on the potential link between vitamin D and breast cancer^[1]. 

Candida, a type of yeast that commonly resides in our bodies, can sometimes cause infections.

While these infections are typically localized and treatable, emerging research suggests a potential link between Candida infections and an increased risk of cancer. This article explores the existing evidence and sheds light on the possible connection.

Candida and Immune Suppression:

Melatonin, a hormone produced naturally by the pineal gland, is known for regulating sleep-wake cycles. It is produced by the body in response to darkness but has other important roles in the body. Recent research suggests that high-dose melatonin may have a role in cancer treatment as well.

Here are the Key Insights of High-Dose Melatonin for Cancer:

 
Antioxidant Properties:

Melatonin acts as a powerful antioxidant, neutralizing harmful free radicals that can contribute to cancer development and progression.¹ 

A healthy diet is essential for cancer patients to support their overall well-being and aid in their treatment journey.

Here are key dietary considerations to nourish the body:

1) Focus on Nutrient-Dense Foods: Emphasize whole foods rich in essential nutrients, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. 


2) Opt for Plant-Based Foods: Incorporate a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables, which are packed with antioxidants and phytochemicals that can support the body's natural defenses.

Naturopathic oncology has emerged as a comprehensive approach to cancer treatment, aiming to identify and address the fundamental causes of the disease. Unlike conventional medicine's symptomatic and tumor-centric approach, naturopathic oncology delves into the underlying root causes. This blog explores the concept of unraveling the etiology of cancer and the valuable insights provided by naturopathic principles for personalized cancer care. 

Recent studies show that mindfulness-based therapies as part of cancer care may improve stress levels, coping skills and quality of life.

What is Mindfulness?

Jon Kabat-Zinn[1] defines mindfulness as… “awareness that arises through paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgmentally.” He sometimes adds, “in the service of self-understanding and wisdom.” I would add that mindfulness is also a separate faculty of consciousness, which is also a clinical, therapeutic tool. This separate faculty is NOT cognitive (thinking), emotional, sensory (5 senses) or behavioral, all of which are faculties that are governed by various brain regions that drives the biological imperative of all life, survival. 

Mindfulness thus “transcends,” suspends or “lets go” of the stressful need to survive, and thus lowers sympathetic, fight/flight stress. Paradoxically when we suspend our stressful need to survive, wellness and health improves, and our chances of survival are improved as well. Recent neuroimagery, cognitive science and neurophysiological studies suggest that approximately 1/6^th of our brain, our most highly evolved part, the prefrontal cortex, is the critical region of our brain that confers this separate faculty of mindfulness.[2]

Mindfulness and Cancer Patients

Natural killer cells are a type of lymphocyte, or white blood cell, that is an important component of our immune system. Natural killer (NK) cells play an important role in immune defense against cancer, viral infection and intracellular bacterial/parasitic infection.  They help protect us by patrolling the body and blood, identifying diseased or foreign cells and attacking them while also helping the immune system to rid the body of these cells. T-lymphocytes, defined as CD8 negative and CD57 positive, is a subset of the natural killer cell population found in peripheral blood.  This cell group has matured to obtain a higher capacity to eliminate the mutated cells, such as the precursor cells for cancer and cancer cells.  Measuring the amount of CD8-/CD57+ cells by testing a blood sample may serve as a monitoring tool and a treatment target during cancer supportive care  and prevention. 

NK Cells On the Front Line of the Immune System

Here at National integrated Health Associates (NIHA) we have a dynamic team of doctors and health practitioners involved in Integrative Cancer Care.

We integrate modern medical science with living wisdom from generations around the world to provide specialized adjunctive cancer care from cancer prevention to where appropriate, cancer treatment.

Dr. Charles Gant, MD, practices functional medicine, an emerging field of medicine which specializes in diagnosing the precise metabolic, allergic, immune, infectious, nutritional, toxicological and genetic uniqueness of each patient.

As a physician member of the NIHA Integrative Cancer Care team, he is happy to blend his work with some extraordinary skills of other team members to provide our patients with what may be one of the most comprehensive approaches to cancer care in the area.

According to National Cancer Institute:

1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women will develop cancer in their lifetime.

It is not surprising that cancer rates are rising to over 40% of the population given:

1. The exploding levels of environmental toxicity
2. Steadily increasing stresses
3. Unhealthy life styles
4. Critically deficient or imbalanced nutrients in our foods