A holistic approach to cancer treatment encompasses your physical, psychological and spiritual well-being. Holistic nutrition may involve eating foods that are grown and prepared in a manner that reflects a concern for the environment as well as your health. A holistic cancer diet should minimize your exposure to toxic substances while addressing your increased need for nutrients as you undergo cancer therapy.
Nutrition
A holistic diet that fulfills your nutritional requirements should also consider your emotional health and lifestyle, notes the American Cancer Society, or ACS. Complementary therapies such as acupuncture, craniosacral therapy and yoga may augment the healing benefits of your diet. Some holistic diets promote botanical supplements or antioxidant therapy in cancer nutrition, such as large doses of vitamin C to support immunity and inhibit cancer growth. Other holistic approaches, such as Gerson therapy, recommend that cancer patients drink large quantities of fruit and vegetable juice to cleanse the body and stimulate metabolism. Holistic nutrition perceives food not only as a source of energy, but as a source of healing.
Environment
In an article published in the January 2007 issue of "Public Health Nutrition," Klaus Meyer-Abich, Ph.D. defines holistic nutrition as an approach to eating that reflects a respect for the natural sources of food. Organic food produced in sustainable environments should replace commercial methods that exploit plant and animal resources, Meyer-Abich proposes. A diet based on organically grown foods may reduce your exposure to carcinogenic substances that promote cancer or the recurrence of cancer.
Dietary Recommendations
Holistic eating plans such as the macrobiotic diet encourage the use of organic, locally grown produce and limit the use of meat, dairy foods and other animal-based products to promote healing in cancer patients. Proponents of the macrobiotic diet believe that avoiding foods grown with pesticides or cooked with electromagnetic radiation may improve your chances of a healthy recovery. Increasing your intake of plant-based foods such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains and nuts may help you fight secondary infections and prevent malnutrition, BreastCancer.org states. A holistic cancer diet may also focus on reducing your intake of sodium and saturated animal fats.
Lifestyle
A holistic eating plan for cancer may incorporate lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, increasing physical activity, developing a spiritual practice or building a social support network, the ACS notes. Some holistic programs combine dietary modifications and conventional cancer treatments with counseling, hypnotherapy, prayer or meditation to relieve stress and boost emotional strength. These practices can help you cope with the demands of cancer therapy and the anxiety or depression that cancer patients may experience.
Nutritional Requirements
Maintaining a healthy weight, preventing malnutrition and maximizing the healing benefits of cancer therapy are nutritional priorities for cancer patients, according to MedlinePlus. Your diet should accommodate your increased need for calories and protein and allow a wide range of food choices. The side effects of radiation or chemotherapy may dull your appetite and affect your ability to chew, swallow or digest food. Eating a balanced variety of foods that are both appetizing and nourishing may increase your chances of a successful recovery.
