Powerful Remedies for Chemo Side Effects

Take a large thermos or two of ICE COLD lemon water, or mineral water with a splash of orange blossom water (avail at health food and middle eastern stores), and a container of ICE.

Drinking icy cold liquids or sucking Popsicles during treatment helps limit damage to your intestines, by contracting the blood vessels. And lemon helps keep your liver happy.

Weight loss / Nausea

It's very important to maintain your weight during treatment. Although it's difficult to think of food when you're nauseous or when everything tastes like cardboard, you'll have to force yourself a little.

Cancer is called a 'wasting' disease, so address any symptom that keeps you from eating well. Controlling nausea is a high priority.

• Eat small amounts of food all day long instead of large meals
• Drink plenty of tea, water and lemonade (sweetened with stevia not sugar). Don't get dehydrated!
• Don't wait until you're hungry to eat... have a snack every couple of hours... sliced apple with a little almond butter, rye crackers with hummus, a pear, almond cheese on whole grain toast, etc.
• Don't eat fatty foods the day of or after Chemo treatments.
• Eat toast with a smear of coconut oil and a sprinkle of cinnamon; whole grain crackers with a thin slice of rice cheese or some coconut yogurt; or a boiled Hi-Omega3 egg for breakfast. You don't want liquids first thing on days you're dealing with nausea.
• Ginger ale (low sugar, like Reed's brand at health food stores) or bubbly mineral water with a squeeze of lemon can help settle your stomach.
• Some people experience a bitter taste in their mouth that lasts a few days after treatment, and makes food taste flat.
   Sucking on a lemon wedge sprinkled lightly with salt, or swishing salted water in your mouth helps.  So do spicy or tangy foods.  Find out what works for you, and hold fast to the thought that this is TEMPORARY! 
• ZINC supplements can help restore your sense of smell and taste.
• Fresh air, and sitting upright help minimize nausea.
• Avoid smoking or smokers.
• Avoid strong cooking odors. I found a few of these really bothered me. Even some dish soaps were intolerable!
• Schedule weekly acupuncture or massage treatments, they help tremendously with symptoms and moving the toxins out of your body.

Foods that are easy on the stomach if nausea is an issue:

• Broths
• Diluted juice (apple or grape) not acidic juices
• Club soda or mineral water with a hint of lime or a mint leaf
• Fruit smoothies, no dairy
• Oatmeal
• Toast
• Ginger tea
• Mashed banana
• Cream of rice

When you are able to tolerate foods, add the following to boost your Calorie intake:

• Tahini (has protein and boosts white blood cell count)
• Coconut milk
• Almond butter
• Dry roasted Nuts (almonds, walnuts and pecans) not peanuts
• Avocado
• Whey protein mixed in cool water, between meals (it has anti-tumor qualities too!)
• Seeds, sunflower
• High omega-3 eggs
• Olive oil in your salads
• Coconut oil, I used 2 tsp. on whole grain toast twice a day

Moderate walking a half hour before you eat will help with symptoms and stimulate appetite.

Fatigue

This is a biggie.  Most people experience various degrees of fatigue during Chemo which impacts their ability to resume normal life activities. Fortunately, the reasons for the fatigue are known, and can be targeted with Supplements and foods.

L-Carnitine: this supplement can be a life saver.
My energy level remained at about 50- 60 % of normal, which is so much better than the majority of patients. I took 750grams, 2x a day in water.  Recommended brands are Ecological Formula's powder version, and Designs for Health 'Carniclear' liquid.

You want to increase foods that are high in potassium, which is depleted during Chemo and can contribute to Fatigue.

Try to have several of these a day:

• Avocado
• Low-sodium V8 juice
• Prune juice (4 oz.)
• Yams, Sweet potatoes
• Acorn squash
• Portobello mushrooms
• Butternut squash
• an under-ripe medium banana (no spots)

Diarrhea

Foods to avoid:

• Dairy products
• High-fiber foods (whole grains, flax seeds, green leafy veggies...)
• Fried or fatty foods
• Spicy food
• Seeds and nuts
• Desserts
• Raw veggies and fruit
• Caffeinated drinks (except unsweetened black tea)
• Beans
• Dried fruits

Just like when our kids were little, it's best to follow the BRATT diet until your bowels are happy again:

• Bananas (no brown spots on skin)
• Rice
• Applesauce
• Toast
• Tea, black no sugar

P.S. In the Middle East we advise boiled rice with a little plain low-fat yogurt to cure diarrhea, and it works every time. I think the active cultures in yogurt are responsible.

Supplements that support the GI tract are:

L-Glutamine:   Not only does it heal the lining of your gastrointestinal lining, it helps wounds heal faster. So if you have any kind of surgery, make sure you have glutamine powder around to help. 

Mix 30 or 40 grams of Glutamine powder with slightly cold water or apple juice and sip slowly. It is tasteless. It is most effective if taken between meals.

Carob: Buy raw carob powder, and mix 1 Tbs.with unsweetened rice milk for a treat and a cure! Can be cold or warm (but not hot).

Tannalbit: (500mg.cap, 3-4 caps 3x/day) A tannin-rich plant extract that has remarkable anti-diarrheal and cancer inhibiting properties.

If you feel you need more immediate relief, over the counter medications like Immodium or Maalox are an option.

Again, work with a qualified nutritionist to make sure there is no interference with your drugs.

Constipation

Another possible side effect depending on the drugs being used for Chemo, or a side effect of the anti-nausea drugs.

You want to increase your intake of insoluble fiber:

• Greens, cooked or raw
• Unpeeled fruits
• Raw vegetables
• Nuts
• Popcorn (low-fat)
• Supplemental fiber  - grind flax seeds and use within 24 hours...mix into foods or drinks, or add oat bran fiber or chia seeds mixed into oatmeal or coconut yogurt
• Dried prunes and figs

Exercise will help as well as taking a daily dose of probiotics with guaranteed 50 billion+ active cultures. Make this a habit, and continue for at least a year after your done with treatment.

Chewing (xylitol sweetened) gum triggers our brain to send a message to our bowel. 
According to a study people were given chewing gum 3x a day after colon resection surgery, and their intestines recovered faster and they were able to have bowel movements sooner than patients who did not chew gum!
      (Meta-analysis of Randomized Studies Evaluating Chewing Gum to Enhance Postoperative Recovery Following Colectomy; Sanjay Purkayastha, BSc, MRCS; Henry S. Tilney, MRCS; Ara W. Darzi, MD, FRCS, KBE, FMedSci; Paris P. Tekkis, MD, FRCS)

Foods to Avoid:

• Simple carbs
• Carob
• Rice Milk
• Calcium
• Bananas
• Black Tea

Pain

Sleep: Make sure you're able to rest well and get enough sleep. It actually helps your ability to deal with pain.

Vitamin D:  There is a direct link between low Vitamin D3 levels and pain. Studies have shown that supplementing with Vitamin D reduces pain from bone metastases and improves muscle strength. Make sure your Vitamin D comes with Vitamin K.

Vitamin C: Depending on your chemo drugs, you may or may not be able to take high doses of Vitamin C, but if your nutritionist (someone who is well versed with oncology and drug interactions) says you can, then work up to 3000+mg a day, 1,000 mg w each meal. Trials have shown Vitamin C reduces pain after bone fractures.

Studies on therapeutic levels of  Vitamin C, and Pain:

Can Vitamin C Prevent Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Use of antioxidants to treat pain in chronic pancreatitis

Foods that may help:

• Blueberries
• Onions
• Ginger
• Garlic
• Blackberries
• Cherries

Foods to Avoid:

• Alcohol
• Caffeine
• Tobacco
• Potatoes and peppers
• Foods that cause allergies

Again acupuncture is advised for all treatment symptoms.

Herbal remedies like this one are also promising: A Chinese Herbal Formula for the Treatment of Pain and Associated Symptoms of Cancer.

Low White Blood Count

Take note of your WBC test results. Your oncologist will most likely keep track of your count and give you a shot if needed before treatment, but there is much you can do to keep your level up.

Astragalus Root has a long history in Chinese medicine for immune health.  Taking it will help raise your White Blood Count during treatment.  Low WBC is a common side effect.

Esberitox, a formula that combines three powerful immune boosting herbs; Thuja, Echinacea, and Wild Indigo is also helpful. The pills are chewable and taste like caramel!

Platelet Support

Tahini is a tasty way to help your platelet count.
Make hummus heavy on the Tahini side, or drizzle 1 - 2 Tbs.mixed with lemon juice on salads. It is also tasty as a spread on whole grains crackers or high fiber bread with a sprinkle of cinnamon!

Foods that can help:

• Eggs
• Sardines
• Organic, grass-fed beef (balanced Omega6 and 3)
• Onions
• Garlic
• Asparagus
• watercress
• Broccoli and Cabbage

Take Care of Your Liver

Your liver will be vulnerable during Chemo, as it processes all those toxins, so you'll need to pay extra care to keeping it as healthy as possible.

Start your days with a glass of lemon water (1 lemon squeezed into 8 oz. of water).

Some things you can do to help the toxins move out of your system, and take some of the load off your liver are:

• Drinking 6 - 8 glasses of water a day. (squeeze lemon into each)
• Moderate exercise, walking 25 - 30 minutes a day
• Deep breathing
• Eat nuts, seeds, cruciferous vegetables, apples, vinegar, carrot juice, greens and artichokes

REMEMBER TO STAY POSITIVE!

WORRY WILL HAMPER YOUR HEALING.

NEGATIVE EMOTIONS ACTUALLY HINDER THE HEALTHY FUNCTION OF YOUR ORGANS.

Be Well!