Chemotherapy and Natural Health Products

What is the role of natural health products in oncology and chemotherapy treatments?

There is a lot of debate about Natural Health Products and Chemotherapy. For many years, it was thought that Chemotherapy should be given alone with nothing else, otherwise, the potency or effects of chemotherapy could be affected or the final results of the treatment of cancer could be compromised. These anecdotes are not true, because nowadays, many types of research done in the field of Oncology and Natural Health Products proved the significant value of these Natural Products not only in mitigating the side effects and Toxicities of Chemotherapy but also in enhancing and synergizing their anti-cancer effects.

Research Evidence

One of the most intensively studied research ideas was about the value of the Green Tea Active Substance EGCG in breast cancer treatment and its merits not only in managing the toxicities of chemotherapy but also in improving the overall treatment results. This research was published in the Pharmacology Journal in 2014 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25471334 

What should we do?

Should we take the Natural Health Products during Chemotherapy? The simple answer to this question is YES, but this should be taken under medical supervision. This is because we have thousands of different Natural Health Products and many of them may not be useful or even harmful as they may interfere with the effects of chemotherapy. However, many other products work hand in hand with Chemotherapy and hence can be used safely during chemotherapy.

This video illustrates the best way to use Natural Health Products During Chemotherapy Treatments

For more questions/ explanations don’t hesitate to contact the clinic

For Hamilton, Stony Creek, and Grimsby residents click this link  https://www.ontarionaturopathicclinic.ca/site/contact-naturpathic-dr-grimsby-niagara 

For Toronto residents  https://www.ontarionaturopathicclinic.ca/site/contact-naturpathic-dr-toronto-north-york