Articles ¬ The Source ¬ Supplements for CancerI see a lot of people with cancer in my office, all at different stages of dealing with it and all asking the same question, "Why me?". This articlen is the last of a three part series on cancer ; I will cover some of the supplements that are often used for preventing and working with cancer.
Cancer is formed when a cell in the body doesn't get the signal to stop growing and forms other cells which come together to form a tumor. The body forms single cancerous cells almost every day, but a healthy immune system stops them from growing any further. Naturopathic medicine holds the belief that cancer forms as a result of the body's inability to heal itself, whether from toxic overload from the environment, or lack of needed rest, exercise, or nutrients.
There are many supplements that are considered to have antioxidant properties. I prefer to stick to the basics; Vitamins C, E, A, and the mineral Selenium. These nutrients can be used to work with cancer or for its prevention, but it is important to not use them at the same time as chemotherapy (they may decrease its effect).
If supplementing these nutrients for the prevention of cancer, they can be taken daily as follows:
If you already have cancer or are trying to prevent a reoccurrence, daily dosages can be:
- Vitamin C with bioflavanoids, 1500 mg,
- Vitamin E, 400-600 iu,
- Vitamin A, 25,000 iu, and
- Selenium, 100 mcg.
If you are supplementing with antioxidants without supervision, I strongly advise seeking out a naturopathic doctor who uses the Oxidata Test in their office to make sure that you are taking the proper amount. I have this test available in my office.
- Vitamin C, 3000-5000 mg,
- Vitamin A, 50,000 iu,
- Vitamin E, 600-800 iu, and
- Selenium, 150 mcg.
The Hoxsey formula consists of potassium iodide and a combination of 9 herbs that are all known for their ability to strengthen the immune system and for their healing effects on different organs of the body. In addition to these properties, the Hoxsey formula also encourages the elimination of toxins from the body. Tinctures of the formula can be taken using 20-40 drops, twice daily.
Another formula that can be used for working with cancer is called Essiac, which contains the herbs slippery elm, burdock root, sheep sorrel, and indian rhubarb. Essiac is a milder remedy that helps in working with cancer mostly by improving the digestion, supplying vitamins and minerals to the body, and helping the body to eliminate toxins. Dosage for tinctures should be 40 drops, twice daily and as a tea use as directed by the manufacturer.
As a tumor grows, it develops an extensive network of blood vessels to provide it with the necessary nutrients, in a process called angiogenesis. Shark cartilage is believed to contain a factor that inhibits this process, thereby preventing the blood vessels from forming and starving the tumor. So far we know from studies that it seems to work, but the challenge is still to find out what it is exactly that makes it works. Shark cartilage is available in pills, powders, and liquid concentrates, tends to be expensive and sometimes may require taking large amounts for therapeutic effect, which can cause indigestion.
If you ever have the misfortune of being diagnosed with cancer, you will find that almost everyone that you know will be giving you a lot of advice on how you may want to deal with this challenge before you. Find some books or web sites that you trust to help you weed through all of this new information and perhaps consider seeing a naturopathic doctor to help you narrow down your options and find out which ideas are the most appropriate for you. Cancer is big business. There are a lot of remedies out there. And even the most amazing sounding remedy can not be guaranteed to work for everyone.
top