Top Holistic Doctors Suggest How to Eat Well and Practice Self Care During Breast Cancer Treatment

According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the second most common cancer diagnosed in women, behind melanoma. The most recent stats estimate that just under 300,000 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer (cancer that has spread from where it began in the breast to surrounding normal tissue) in 2022.

Another 50,000 women will be diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), the earliest stage, where the cells lining the milk ducts have become cancerous, but have not spread beyond the duct itself.

Beyond these two categories, breast cancer is a complicated beast. Treatment will depend on what type of cancer you’re diagnosed with…

• What are its characteristics?
• Where is it?
• How big is the tumor?
• Has it spread?
• How old are you?
• Do you smoke?
• Who are your doctors?
• What kind of health insurance do you have?

The list goes on and on. Surgery, chemo, radiation, more surgery – no matter what your protocol is, chances are, you’re in for a few months of feeling not so hot, but it’s important to practice self-care.

Leading medical experts share several ways you can care for yourself, or a loved one through treatment and beyond.

Eat a Plant-Based Diet

We’re talking green, multi-colored and sulfur-rich fruits and vegetables. “Fruits and vegetables are filled with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, enzymes, amino acids, and fatty acids,” says Dr. Mel Schottenstein, N.D., M.B.E., MSCN, FICT, FSCT. “For example, strawberries, raspberries, cranberries, and pomegranates are high in ellagitannins (polyphenols) which have various anti-cancer properties,” and, “ellagic acid can help prevent carcinogens from binding to DNA,” she adds.

Dr. Mel is the founder of Mitogenesis, a website offering alternative therapies for healthcare professionals to use on their patients. Having recently completed the American Academy of Antiaging Medicine’s Integrative Cancer Therapy Fellowship, Dr. Mel believes diet is key, for so many reasons, not the least of which is how hard chemotherapy is on the liver.

According to Dr. Mel, “research has shown that a plant-based diet reduces inflammation, supports liver health and detoxification, enhances digestion, increases fiber intake, improves energy, reduces nutrient deficiencies, and revitalizes skin texture and tone.”

While this might sound like a laundry list of the benefits of eating your vegetables, they’re actually quite focused. At a recent retreat I attended as a facilitator and a cancer survivor, much of the conversation centered around stomach upset, fatigue and constipation. (I knew I’d found my people when someone other than me brought up hemorrhoids over dessert, but I digress.)

“Furthermore,” says Dr. Mel, “a plant-based diet has alkalizing effects,” which may enhance the effectiveness of certain chemotherapy drugs. “During chemo one of the most important things is to alkalize the stomach,” agrees famed L.A naturopath, Dr. Julian Neil, who launched Neil Naturopathic in 2020, a line of hair care products originally formulated for cancer patients in his care.

Veggie Soup for the Body and Soul

Part of his protocol is a recipe for a vegetable soup. “This is an amazing broth to alkalize the stomach,” says Dr. Neil. It eases digestion, “while mineralizing and nutrifying the body in a bio available way.” Not only that, “it counteracts nausea and helps build immunity.”

This recipe includes a lot of sulfur rich vegetables, like broccoli, cabbage, onion, and garlic, which are high in glucosinolate, a phytonutrient with anti-cancer properties. And while soup can be easier on the stomach, especially when you’re dehydrated and don’t feel well, Dr. Mel points out that, “studies have shown that 56% of all glucosinolate was lost in the first two minutes of cooking cabbage or other brassica vegetables.” So, maybe indulge in a crudité when you’re craving something crunchy.

Protect Your Gut

A properly balanced gut is the goal for all of us, but it is essential for people recovering from surgery or undergoing chemotherapy or radiation. Our gut is not only responsible for the digestion and absorption of the nutrients we ingest, it produces the neurotransmitters and hormones we need to keep our bodies functioning properly while also maintaining our immunity.

Dr. Mel points out that the majority (70-80%), “of our immune system resides in our GI tract and 80% of our lymphatic system can be found in the walls of our intestines.” If you don’t know, lymph is the fluid that carries waste products out of our cells. Because of this, eating foods to maintain our gut microbiome and the integrity of our gut lining is essential.

“Consider consuming bone broth made from wild, organic, grass fed, pasture raised animals,” advises Dr. Mel. And as we’ve covered before at Beautytap, she confirms that you should, “try fermented foods like kimchi, sauerkraut, natto, or miso, to help replenish/support the beneficial bacteria in your gut.”

Looking for another reason to eat cabbage? Probably not, I’m guessing, but you should know that cabbage, seafood, and wild meats are rich in glutamine, an amino acid necessary to make other amino acids, glucose, and protein, and also important for immune function.

Thankfully, you can purchase it in powder form. Why will you care so much about it? Because you’re probably going to want to gargle and swish with it to help with the treatment of mouth sores and inflammation caused by radiation and chemotherapy. (I was eating these like candies for a while during treatment.)

Detox

According to Dr. Mel, we are exposed to hundreds of chemicals, pollutants and electrosmog daily, which is hard enough on the healthiest human. Your body is poisoned by the chemotherapy drugs and your immune system is circling the drain, so it’s probably a good idea to remove as many harmful chemicals from your daily routines as possible. What kind of cleaning products are you using? Are you spraying pesticides and insect repellant around or within your home?

Dr. Mel suggests, “switching to a more natural, eco-friendly detergent and experimenting with wool dryer balls in place of a fabric softener.” She also wants you to check the ingredients in your hair and skincare products. Are they made with chemicals? Are the ingredients mostly natural? If this feels like a lot, don’t worry, there’s an app for that.

“Imma” jump in here and point to another chemical we might want to manage our exposure to during treatment – alcohol – because while a glass of wine is fine, drinking more than that can result in a gong show of epic proportions. Your liver can’t handle all of the extra assignments. Trust me on this one. Less chemicals means less of a burden on your liver and immune system, which supports your body’s ability to regenerate and repair itself.

Take Care of the Skin You’re In (including your scalp)

As a significant part of your immune system, it’s essential to maintain the integrity of your skin while undergoing chemotherapy, radiation, or recovering from surgery. Yes, you can moisturize, says Dr. Mel, “but the best way to support rehydration is through the consumption of water, coconut water, and vegetable juices that will nourish your skin from the inside out.”

You might also consider a topical sea moss gel, “which contains 92 vitamins and minerals and is particularly rich in zinc, omega fatty acids and vitamin A,” to promote skin regeneration.

Dr. Julian Neil originally formulated his Neil Naturopathic products to help his cancer patients revitalize their hair and scalp that had been decimated by chemotherapy. “Neil Naturopathic products are formulated with the idea that every cell needs fresh oxygen, fresh nutrients and fresh hydration,” he says. “And the waste needs to be removed to maximize the restoration of the scalp and subsequent hair growth.”

He goes on to point out that hair grows a half inch below the scalp before it breaks through, something I wish I had known when I lost all of my hair.

Don’t Give Up on Joy

Look, cancer sucks, and as a cancer survivor I know this personally, but the best way to get through it is to keep living, as much as you can. “Love, laugh and enjoy the daily pleasures of being with family and friends,” says Dr. Mel. Keep, “engaging in activities, and embracing hobbies.”

Research has demonstrated direct relationships between optimism, improved immunity and reduced inflammation. Dr. Mel’s advice: throw away heavy burdens and past conflicts. “Visualize and embrace a healthier and happier you.

Need Help? Consider investigating Qi Gong, sound meditations or breathwork.” Learn how to play a singing bowl, embrace the arts, start painting, take a dance class, write a story. Do something that resonates with your heart.

My Personal Words of Wisdom

A breast cancer diagnosis can be all consuming. I’m not trying to minimize that in the least. It can change your relationship to yourself, your loved ones, your body, and your future. Life can feel completely out of your control, and no heaping mound of veggies is going to make that okay. Some days, your best will be getting out of bed to tinkle and on others, you’ll be lucky to choke down some chicken broth. Facts.

Just know that life won’t be like this forever. And I guarantee that you can handle this. Not because you’re any stronger or more courageous than the next person, but because you don’t have a choice. Just keep going.

Love you, mean it.