Cancer: Holistic Supplements and Lifestyle Changes Post Treatment

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After the diagnosis and completion of cancer treatment, many individuals are highly motivated to stay healthy and approach their health in a holistic manner. There are over 14.5 million cancer survivors and the number is thankfully on the rise. However, after an intense battle, cancer survivors are left with after-effects and the constant concern of recurrence. The importance of managing the health of the whole person, not just one disease shows promising health. 

Common After-Effects of Conventional Cancer Treatment 

Undergoing chemotherapy leaves patients with similar after-effects that can last. These include insomnia, fatigue, peripheral neuropathy, and chemobrain. 

Insomnia is common after completion of cancer treatment and is linked to circadian rhythm and mood disturbance. However, melatonin has been proven to manage a more natural sleep-wake cycle. Additionally, melatonin combined with L-theanine generates alpha waves and induces a state of relaxation.

Fatigue after treatment is typical considering patients endure repeated physical and emotional events that active stress response mechanisms in the body. Fatigue has been associated with HPA axis dysregulation. HPA axis stands for the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal axis. 

Peripheral Neuropathy is a tingling sensation in the limbs. Supplements to help control neuropathy are Glutamine and Vitamin E. 

ChemoBrain refers to the inability to successfully multitask and involves impaired brain connections. This is due to inflammation and damage to the tissue. Lions Mane is a mushroom that contains polysaccharides that can improve brain cognition. 

Natural Supplements and Lifestyle Changes

After cancer treatment, there are many all-natural supplements that have been shown to help with the after-effects as well as aid in the prevention of recurrence. As some were previously mentioned above, these supplements have been proven help with certain cancer prevention: 

  • Vitamin D
  • Curcumin
  • Resveratrol
  • L-Theanine
  • Berberine
  • Green Tea
  • Fish Oils

*It is important to discuss all supplements with your health care provider before starting as supplement dosage and effectiveness varies per individual. 

In addition to supplements, a diet that has helped reduced cancer and fuel the body is the Mediterranean diet. The Mediterranean diet is comprised of large quantities and diversity of plant-derived foods. A few staples in the Mediterranean diet include whole grains, vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, fish, and extra-virgin olive oil. 

Finally, exercise has endless studies regarding its effectiveness in cancer prevention and cancer survival rates. Exercising for 150 minutes a week, or vigorously for 15-30 minutes a day a few days a week improves insulin sensitivity as well as decreases blood glucose levels. Those who exercised before, during or post-cancer treatment had a higher survival rate. 

Risk reduction strategies are always helpful to reduce the chance of recurrence. A healthy diet and exercise go much further than many realize. Finding someone to go to the gym with you or keep you accountable helps increase exercise rates and is proven to be more beneficial. -Kenna Vaughn, Senior Health Coach 

 

References:

Alschuler, Lise, and Tina Kczor. “Cancer Survivorship .” Functional Medicine University. 2020, www. functionalmedicineuniversity. com/members/1049.cfm.

The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, and nervous health issues or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health protocols to treat injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. To further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900

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The information herein on "Cancer: Holistic Supplements and Lifestyle Changes Post Treatment" is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.

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Our information scope is limited to Chiropractic, musculoskeletal, acupuncture, physical medicines, wellness, contributing etiological viscerosomatic disturbances within clinical presentations, associated somatovisceral reflex clinical dynamics, subluxation complexes, sensitive health issues, and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.

We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system.

Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and directly or indirectly support our clinical scope of practice.*

Our office has reasonably attempted to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request.

We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, or contact us at 915-850-0900.

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Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN*, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*

email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com

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