The modern healthcare establishment would like you to believe that there is only one true way to handle any health issues that you may face in your life. They have powerful marketing and lobbying teams, and they work very hard to protect themselves and their methods. However, there actually are alternative therapies that can be extremely useful to those who are suffering some of this world’s most challenging ailments. For example, there are alternative and natural remedies for colon cancer that can help you battle back against the disease in a natural way. Can you treat colon cancer naturally? Is there an alternative to chemotherapy or radiation? Today, we will take a look at natural colon cancer treatment and how different methods may be utilized in this battle.
A Healthier Diet
Most people know they should eat a healthier diet to improve their lives overall. However, many do not realize that eating a healthier diet could aid colon cancer treatment. Stage 1 colon cancer symptoms include changes in bowel habits and abdominal pain. There are certain foods and beverages that we all ought to consume, and there are others that we most certainly need to avoid. For example, it is advisable to eat the following foods which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids:
- Salmon
- Halibut
- Whole grains
- Leafy green vegetables
These are the kind of things that can bolster your immune system and make it easier for that system to fight back against the issues that are often associated with colon cancer.
While looking at the things you should be eating, it is also ideal for making sure you avoid consuming other foods and beverages that could hinder your progress. Many of the foods and beverages that fall into this category are the usual suspects. For example, you should avoid:
- High-fat or fried foods
- Red meats
- Alcohol
At the very least, it is recommended that you moderate the amount of these foods and beverages that you consume. It is a challenge for most to cut these things out completely, but even the moderation of intake of these substances can prove highly beneficial to your body and its chances of fighting off illness and disease.
Botanical Treatments Prove Promising
Many cancer specialists and others in the healthcare profession are buzzing with excitement over new studies that show that botanical treatments may be useful in conjunction with other treatments to help fight colon cancer.
The natural botanical known as Andrographis paniculata is what some of the latest studies have zeroed in on. Cancer research shows that Andrographis paniculata may be useful in helping combat colon cancer that has been resistant to chemotherapy.
The study was led by Ajay Goel, Ph.D., M.S., and published in a peer-reviewed journal. Thus, it has significant backing from real professionals. Many of those professionals are now abuzz with excitement over the potential breakthroughs that this natural substance may have to offer. This news couldn’t come at a better time for colon cancer patients with cancers that are resistant to chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and other treatments.
When the study was performed, the goal was to find a natural substance that could not only aid in the treatment of colon cancer but also one that would be nontoxic if exposed to chemotherapy. The researchers knew that most people with colon cancer would likely have received chemotherapy at some point during their diagnosis or would be receiving chemotherapy at some point in the future. Thus, they needed to find something that would not have harmful interactions with chemotherapy when it was exposed to it. Fortunately, it appears that Andrographis paniculata fits that bill.
How Does Andrographis Paniculata Work?
This botanical is primarily found in South Asia, but it can also be found in the United States. It is already known for its anti-inflammatory properties as well as for being antibacterial and antiviral. Lately, it has received even more attention for its potential ability to battle colon cancer cells.
Dr. Goel stated that it wasn’t shocking to researchers that Andrographis killed cancer cells. There was already ample evidence that it could do this even before his study took hold. What was more interesting was the ability of Andrographis to kill so-called cancer “supercells.” These colon cancer cells have proven to be resistant to chemotherapy and other common cancer treatments.
Researchers worked on animal specimens first to ensure their tests would work as expected. Once they received positive results on that front, they moved to a 3D-organoid model grown from human colorectal tumor tissue that was taken from an actual cancer patient. Once again, the test proved that the use of Andrographis improved the use of chemotherapy by itself. It seems that Andrographis, in combination with chemotherapy and other recommended treatments, maybe the answer that researchers have been looking for.
Green Tea May Provide Protection for Women
Studies have looked at the impact of green tea consumption on colon cancer in both men and women. Interestingly, this is a situation in which the studies have produced some conflicting data. In one study, the data show that women who drink 5 or more cups of green tea daily see some benefits in colon cancer prevention and development. However, the same effect was not found in men. Additional studies have also suggested that tea consumption in general (including non-green tea) is useful in colon cancer prevention in women. Once again, the same research has not shown beneficial impacts for men.
It is not clear why green tea would have benefits for women and not for men, but it seems to be the case based on the available research. Therefore, women are encouraged to at least consider starting a routine of drinking green tea. It is nearly universally available these days, and the beverage tastes great. If it can also provide the upside of a reduction in colon cancer risk, then that adds to the benefits that one can enjoy.
Acupuncture and Massage as Complementary Treatments
You can’t massage your colon cancer away, but you can use acupuncture and/or massage as a complementary treatment to chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Massage and acupuncture are great at reducing the amount of pain and discomfort that you may feel as a result of the colon cancer therapy that you are going through. You can ease the burden of your symptoms and start to make tremendous strides toward a healthier lifestyle if you allow yourself to receive these therapies.
Many people who are not suffering from cancer use massage and acupuncture as a way of helping alleviate everyday pain and stress. It can be extremely useful in managing your symptoms and helping you get the help that you need to improve your condition.
Remember, your body is fighting a battle when it comes to defeating colon cancer, and that means that you need to do everything that you can to support it. Traditional treatments are perfectly acceptable and encouraged, but you might want to back them up with some complementary or alternative therapies as well. Doing so may bolster your chances of seeing your health improve. When it comes to dealing with something as challenging as metastatic colorectal cancer, it is best to seek out every avenue and resource that you can. You have a long fight ahead of you, and it is best to ensure that your arsenal is full of weapons to fight back against colon and rectal cancer.
Written By: Dr. Pablo Orozco
Dr. Pablo Orozco is a Board Certified Medical Doctor from Universidad Autónoma de Baja California.
Dr. Orozco has been a treating physician at the Immunity Therapy Center for more than 3 years providing daily on site patient care. He works with patients on a daily basis and guides them through the treatment process. Dr. Orozco’s passion for Alternative Cancer Treatments along with his commitment to patient care is key to insure that our patients have the best experience and results possible.
Sources:
- “Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Colon Cancer: Fight CRC.” Fight Colorectal Cancer, https://fightcolorectalcancer.org/cam/
- Nunes, Maxine. “Research Finds Botanical Treatment Effective for Colon Cancer.” City of Hope, 11 May 2022, https://www.cityofhope.org/research-news/botanical-effective-for-colon-cancer
- Complementary and alternative medicine (no date) Colorectal cancer | Complementary and Alternative Medicine | St. Luke’s Hospital. Available at: https://www.stlukes-stl.com/health-content/medicine/33/000026.htm#:~:text=Eating%20plenty%20of%20fruits%20and,the%20risk%20of%20colorectal%20cancer. (Accessed: October 4, 2022)
- Green tea (no date) Mount Sinai Health System. Available at: https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/herb/green-tea#:~:text=Colorectal%20cancer.&text=In%20one%20study%2C%20women%20who,of%20colorectal%20cancer%20in%20women. (Accessed: October 4, 2022)
At Immunity Therapy Center, our goal is to provide objective, updated, and research-based information on all health-related topics. This article is based on scientific research and/or other scientific articles. All information has been fact-checked and reviewed by Dr. Carlos Bautista, a Board Certified Medical Doctor at Immunity Therapy Center. All information published on the site must undergo an extensive review process to ensure accuracy. This article contains trusted sources with all references hyperlinked for the reader's visibility.