This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for medical treatment. Please consult your oncologist before trying any complementary therapy.
The world is increasingly becoming toxic and is having adverse effects on our health and well-being. Exposure to toxic chemicals are known to contribute to the onset of diseases and also effect treatment outcomes. At any given time, we have a certain accumulation of man-made chemicals inside our bodies – called body burden. These chemicals can be carcinogens or other chemical contaminants. There is no scientific evidence that detox programs remove cancer or prevent it from coming back. Some detox methods, such as enemas or long fasts, can be harmful during treatment.
Here is a list of some items from our daily lives that carry toxic substances:
- Pesticides (Organophosphate pesticides)
- Phthalates found in shampoos, conditioners, perfumes, soap, nail polish, IV bags, food packaging, etc.
- Polybrominated diphenyl ethers which are used as flame retardants in televisions, computers, insulation and foam products, etc.
- Pollutants in the air which can also include nitrogen dioxide, formaldehyde, benzene, etc.
- Lead which can be found in water in certain places, industrial paints, car batteries, etc.
- Mercury which can be found in some household items like thermometers, light bulbs and older-model clothes dryers and washing machines, etc.
- Polychlorinated biphenyls, which have been banned in most countries were used in coolants and lubricators in electrical equipment due to their insulating property.
Healthy habits such as resting, eating well and staying hydrated support general wellbeing; talk to your oncologist first. These approaches are not a way to remove cancer or to clear chemotherapy from the body.
Following a detox regimen should ideally be done with the help of a healthcare professional. Usually it involves, diet control, adequate rest, drinking lots of water, meditation, stress management, exercise, etc. Here are some tips:
- Avoid pre-processed or pre-packaged foods.
- Eat natural products as much as you can.
- Reduce the consumption of white sugar.
- Drink green tea for its anti-oxidant properties
- Perspire (exercise and/or go to a sauna/steam room)
- Talk to a nutritionist
- Avoid alcohol, cigarettes, and carbonated drinks
- Get a massage (get pampered)
- Drink lots of water
- Brush your dry skin away once/twice a day
- Indulge in aromatherapy and create a nurturing atmosphere at home.
- Have fresh vegetable and fruit juices
- Eat a lot of fiber
- Sleep early and for 7-8 hours minimum
- Do some yoga and/or meditation
Brian Bouch – Integrative Oncology (Part 1)
Brian Bouch – Integrative Oncology (Part 2)
References & More Information
- Credit: Beyond Conventional Care Therapies
- ZenOnco.io Integrative Oncology Cancer Care
- Earth Future. Our Body Burden.
- Nadia Kounang, CNN. Dangerous chemicals hiding in everyday products. Updated 1833 GMT (0233 HKT) July 1, 2016.
- Cline JC. Nutritional aspects of detoxification in clinical practice. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine. 2015 May-Jun;21(3):54-62.
- Doctors Beyond Medicine. Body Cleansing.
- Cline JC. Nutritional aspects of detoxification in clinical practice. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine. 2015 May-Jun;21(3):54-62
- Klein AV, Kiat H. Detox diets for toxin elimination and weight management: a critical review of the evidence. Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics. 2015 Dec;28(6):675-86
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. “Detoxes” and “Cleanses”. September 24, 2017. Viewed February 21, 2018.
- Pizzorno J. The Toxin Solution: How Hidden Poisons in the Air, Water, Food, and Products We Use Are Destroying Our Health—and What We Can Do to Fix It. Harper Collins. 2017.
- Silent Spring Institute: Body Burden
- Michael Lerner: Choices In Healing: Integrating the Best of Conventional and Complementary Approaches to Cancer
- Lorenzo Cohen and Alison Jefferies: Anticancer Living: Transform Your Life and Health with the Mix of Six
- Lise Alschuler, ND, FABNO, and Karolyn Gazella: The Definitive Guide to Cancer, 3rd Edition: An Integrative Approach to Prevention, Treatment, and Healing
- Neil McKinney, BSc, ND: Naturopathic Oncology, 3rd Edition
- Donald I. Abrams, MD, and Andrew T. Weil, MD: Integrative Oncology, 2nd Edition
- Raymond Chang, MD: Beyond the Magic Bullet: The Anti-Cancer Cocktail
- Doctors Beyond Medicines
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