09/22/2018 / By Isabelle Z.
When you think of breast cancer, surgery and chemotherapy probably come immediately to mind. Many patients often end up undergoing one or both of these treatments, and the prospect of going under the knife or being injected with chemicals can be scarier to some people than the diagnosis itself. However, some patients are finding success with other options that rarely get mentioned in medical appointments because they don’t make their doctors any money. Here are some alternatives that are worth exploring in addition to or instead of traditional treatment.
Vitamins and minerals can have an effect on the cancer in many cases. Some of the vitamins and minerals that alternative doctors say can make a difference include vitamin E, vitamin B complex, calcium, zinc, magnesium, essential fatty acids, and coenzyme Q10.
The vitamin that tends to get the most attention when it comes to cancer is vitamin C. Researchers have shown that high doses of vitamin C can kill cancer cells. However, it works best when it is administered intravenously, bypassing the usual gut metabolism to create blood levels that are as much as 500 times higher than those achieved by oral administration. This concentration is needed for the vitamin to attack cancer cells, studies show.
While not everyone will see success with IV vitamin C therapy or even be willing to try it in the first place, the fact remains that vitamins can make a big difference to your health and immunity, which is extremely important when you’re fighting cancer or trying to prevent it. That’s why a healthy diet rich in organic vegetables and fruit should be the first change that anyone makes upon being diagnosed with breast cancer. It’s also important to avoid foods that are high in sugar – or even cut it out entirely if possible.
Another alternative treatment for breast cancer that is gaining some traction is saffron. A recent review in the Journal of Nutrition and Intermediary Metabolism revealed that some of the compounds found in saffron have incredibly powerful anticancer effects, killing cancer cells without damaging normal ones. Like vitamin C, however, high doses are needed to gain the effects.
There are lots of other approaches that people are using to supplement or replace conventional breast cancer treatment. For example, shark cartilage therapy blocks the creation the new blood vessels, starving tumors. Metabolic therapy uses approaches like detoxification, colon cleansing, and an anti-cancer diet of enzymes, whole foods, and vitamins.
Another area that deserves serious consideration is mind-body therapy. The reason that treatments like chemotherapy and surgery often fail is because on their own, they completely ignore how the mind and the body work together to maintain optimum health. Relaxation techniques, meditation and yoga are all excellent ways to reduce the stress hormones in the body that can make cancer worse. Massage therapy can help increase the protective white blood cells in breast cancer patients while taking the edge off of pain and anxiety.
Some people find that approaches like art or music therapy are also useful for relieving the pain, anxiety and stress that accompany cancer. Patients can even take the mind-body notion one step further by turning to treatments like hypnosis and biofeedback. Acupuncture can also help relieve the symptoms not only of cancer itself but also the side effects of treatment. These treatments usually work best in conjunction with other treatments rather than on their own.
It’s important to research all your options when it comes to breast cancer treatment. Even if you ultimately decide that you feel better going the conventional route, there are lots of valid alternative treatments that could increase your chances of success and mitigate the side effects.
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Tagged Under: alternative medicine, breast cancer, Meditation, Natural Treatments, nutrition, saffron, vitamin C, vitamins, women's health
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