Home // Natural Remedies for the Side Effects of Cancer Treatment
For somebody who has been diagnosed with cancer, the treatment journey is often one of mixed emotions. Seeing progress in eradicating cancer through chemotherapy or radiation gives the hope of a cancer-free future, but in the meantime, the treatment that is meant to be lifesaving can come with uncomfortable and even debilitating side effects.
Natural remedies can potentially provide an answer for cancer patients who are tired of feeling sick from their treatment protocol. Alternative modalities can help ease certain side effects of cancer treatment and support overall health to make the body more resilient. Here’s what to consider if you are seeking natural solutions to support your body as you go through cancer treatment.
Chemotherapy targets rapidly dividing cells in the body, killing runaway cancer cells that multiply much more quickly than most regular cells. Unfortunately, its action also tends to affect healthy cells that divide rapidly, such as hair follicles, cells in the digestive tract, and blood-forming cells. Radiation uses high-energy particles or waves to damage the DNA of cancer cells, interfering with their ability to reproduce and even triggering cell death, but it can also damage nearby healthy cells.
It is this damage to healthy cells and related inflammation that trigger the classic symptoms associated with cancer treatment. These can include:
| Symptom | Seen with chemotherapy? | Seen with radiation? |
| Fatigue | Yes | Yes |
| Nausea | Yes | Yes |
| Vomiting | Yes | Yes |
| Loss of appetite | Yes | Yes |
| Hair loss | Yes | Possible in treated area |
| Mouth sores | Yes | Depends on treatment area |
| Changes to skin and nails | Yes | Possible in treated area |
| Low blood counts | Yes | Rare but possible |
Digestive side effects are among the most demoralizing to deal with, because they make getting adequate nutrition more difficult as well as being physically taxing. Further, cancer treatment can interfere with the body’s ability to absorb nutrients, making it more important than ever to make every bite count just when many patients feel they can hardly bring themselves to eat at all. Nutrition response testing can be a powerful ally in ensuring that the diet contains the precise nutrients necessary to support health, as it allows us to pinpoint exactly what each individual needs through a noninvasive process that provides instant feedback. Combined with a personalized plan of whole-food supplementation, Nutrition Response Testing can help mitigate side effects and strengthen the body by ensuring that an individual’s diet contains the right balance of nutrients for them even when their appetite is reduced.
When inflammation caused by cancer treatments is at the root of symptoms like fatigue, pain, and nausea, natural healing modalities that reduce inflammation can also be helpful. For example, NovoTHOR photobiomodulation therapy uses red and near-infrared light to relax the muscles and joints, increase blood circulation, reduce pain, and promote quicker healing. Such therapies can form an important part of an overall treatment plan that helps those going through cancer recover more quickly from side effects and enjoy a better quality of life as they receive chemotherapy and radiation.
While research is ongoing, certain herbs and supplements have been identified as having promise in combatting troublesome side effects from cancer treatment. These include:
Note: Certain vitamins, minerals, and supplements may interact with chemotherapy drugs and/or radiation to reduce their effectiveness. Please consult your medical provider before starting any new supplement.
If you are going through chemotherapy or radiation, you should not have to pin all your hopes for feeling like yourself again to the day when you receive your last treatment. The Natural Healing Center can help support your health and lessen the uncomfortable symptoms of your treatment so you can focus on healing your body and mind. To find out more, contact us here today.
