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What is the systems-based approach to cancer types?
The systems-based approach to cancer types is fundamental to Oncology Nutrition Consulting (ONC).
While conventional oncology has historically focused on tumors as the sites of cancer, integrative oncology - by contrast - looks at different terrains of the disease, thereby introducing the term cancerrain. In this paradigm, cancer is treated not as a tumor, but as a set of imbalances in bioregulation systems, which can result in the formation of tumors, among other things.
While conventional oncology has historically focused on tumors as the sites of cancer, integrative oncology - by contrast - looks at different terrains of the disease, thereby introducing the term cancerrain. In this paradigm, cancer is treated not as a tumor, but as a set of imbalances in bioregulation systems, which can result in the formation of tumors, among other things.
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Nutrition Therapy Basics
Scope of Practice
Nutrition therapy is not intended as a diagnosis, treatment, prescription, or cure for any disease, and is not intended as a substitute for regular medical care.
Human bodies and genetic codes adapted to a hunter-gatherer diet over the course of tens of thousands of years. Only in the last 15,000 years or so did our ancestors switch to what is now called the modern diet. We are not as prepared as we would like to be for a lifestyle that involves environmental pollutants, more stress, less sleep, and less exercise.
The central thesis of nutrition therapy is that our bodies function better, and defend themselves better from disease when they find themselves in conditions to which they are better adapted. Modern medicine is a powerful tool, but the groundwork of health outcomes is a lifestyle that empowers the body to make the most of medical interventions.
Nutrition makes a major contribution toward the improvement of clinical, biochemical, cellular, and physiological outcomes for cancer patients, who find themselves in a struggle with the disease as well as side-effects of various treatments.
Nutritional agents and dietary therapies have been found to impact all ten hallmarks of cancer, increase response to treatment while decreasing side effects, and have demonstrated anticarcinogenic properties.
The central thesis of nutrition therapy is that our bodies function better, and defend themselves better from disease when they find themselves in conditions to which they are better adapted. Modern medicine is a powerful tool, but the groundwork of health outcomes is a lifestyle that empowers the body to make the most of medical interventions.
Nutrition makes a major contribution toward the improvement of clinical, biochemical, cellular, and physiological outcomes for cancer patients, who find themselves in a struggle with the disease as well as side-effects of various treatments.
Nutritional agents and dietary therapies have been found to impact all ten hallmarks of cancer, increase response to treatment while decreasing side effects, and have demonstrated anticarcinogenic properties.
Oncology nutrition consulting (ONC) is not intended as diagnosis, treatment, or cure for cancer. ONC is an adjuvant therapy intended to complement and enhance other medical treatments and/or improve overall health. ONC can be a standalone, frontline preventative approach. It is a field that has been around for decades, and is gaining more deserved attention.
ONC uses a specifically tailored diet, lifestyle, and orthomolecular supplement protocol that is created, monitored, and adapted based on the changing requirements of the client. It is intended to enhance quality of life, as well as complement and improve response to conventional treatment.
ONC is founded on scientific evidence that macro- and micro-nutrients are required for the proper functioning of all biochemical processes of which our bodies depend. Without these nutrients, our bioregulatory systems are weakened. Additionally, various phytochemicals (biologically active molecules) have the potential to improve health outcomes.
It has been estimated by the American Institute for Cancer Research and the World Cancer Research Fund that 30-40% of all cancers can be prevented by diet, physical activity, and maintaining appropriate body weight. A 60% reduction in breast cancer rates and a 71% reduction in colon cancer rates have been achieved in human diet studies.
ONC has the ability to prevent some elements of the cancer process, as well as to support and complement treatment. It focuses on specific anticancer foods and phytonutrients, lab testing, genetics, blood sugar balance, key roles of proteins in phase 1 and 2 detox, genetics, and food quality.
ONC uses a specifically tailored diet, lifestyle, and orthomolecular supplement protocol that is created, monitored, and adapted based on the changing requirements of the client. It is intended to enhance quality of life, as well as complement and improve response to conventional treatment.
ONC is founded on scientific evidence that macro- and micro-nutrients are required for the proper functioning of all biochemical processes of which our bodies depend. Without these nutrients, our bioregulatory systems are weakened. Additionally, various phytochemicals (biologically active molecules) have the potential to improve health outcomes.
It has been estimated by the American Institute for Cancer Research and the World Cancer Research Fund that 30-40% of all cancers can be prevented by diet, physical activity, and maintaining appropriate body weight. A 60% reduction in breast cancer rates and a 71% reduction in colon cancer rates have been achieved in human diet studies.
ONC has the ability to prevent some elements of the cancer process, as well as to support and complement treatment. It focuses on specific anticancer foods and phytonutrients, lab testing, genetics, blood sugar balance, key roles of proteins in phase 1 and 2 detox, genetics, and food quality.
A patient-centered, multi-intervention treatment paradigm addresses the full range of physical, mental, emotional, and environmental influences on the cancer patient. This approach uses an array of disciplines, including diet, mind-body and physical activity therapies in addition to conventional methods and dietary supplements to support optimal health.
The key is comprehensive personalization with respect to the needs of every individual. A variety of nutritional, environmental, physiological, emotional, and epigenetic factors can impact the growth and promotion of cancer. The first focus of ONC is to identify exposure to these factors, after which a recommendation is made on how the patient can remove the exposure and be supported in the process.
The key is comprehensive personalization with respect to the needs of every individual. A variety of nutritional, environmental, physiological, emotional, and epigenetic factors can impact the growth and promotion of cancer. The first focus of ONC is to identify exposure to these factors, after which a recommendation is made on how the patient can remove the exposure and be supported in the process.
- Recognize bio-individuality.
- Emphasize nutrient-dense, high-quality whole foods.
- Prioritize low glycemic and genetically recognizable foods (i.e. the kinds of non-synthetic, non-GMO, organic and natural foods to which our genome is adapted).
- Optimize omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acid ratio.
- Utilize a systems-based approach to rebalance highest priority areas of diet, lifestyle, and supplementation.
A detailed assessment of diet, lifestyle, environmental, and medical history is paramount to determining the hierarchy of prevention and treatment approaches. The terrains targeted by ONC are genetic, epigenetics, and nutrigenomics. This is accomplished by looking at digestive health in microbiome status, dietary status, immune system function, hormone system function, blood sugar status, environmental toxin exposure and detox ability, levels of inflammation, oxidative stress status, as well as stress and stress management.
The Goals of ONC / What makes ONC different?... and other FAQs.
Rather than attacking a disease or tumor directly, we focus on supporting each person’s entire body and its own unique defenses. Restoring health is achieved by using the medicinal powers of food. ONC aims to replace, replenish, balance, harmonize, cleanse, and activate healing forces within the body to achieve clinical stability, quality, and extension of life.
Research has found that dietary therapies, as well as vitamin and phytochemical supplementation in combination with chemo/radiation increases tumor response and improves quality of life by reducing treatment toxicity. A variety of nutritional compounds have been found to act as both radio- and chemo-sensitizers, which make tumor cells more sensitive to these therapies.
Dietary therapies, including the ketogenic diet, have been found to exhibit antitumor and antiangiogenic effects.
Nutrition has been found to increase wound healing from surgery, and reduce nausea and fatigue from chemotherapy. Nutrition is often a frontline treatment for treatment-related side effects, including anemia, diarrhea, fatigue, and weight loss. It can also be used as a preventative measure to avoid side-effects.
In individuals with various single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), including those affecting Vitamin D Receptors (VDR) and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), ONC offers a modality to circumvent these obstacles. By supporting the methylation process, key nutrients including folate become bioavailable and help protect DNA. In the case of VDR SNPs, ONC can titrate supplementation levels to achieve optimal levels of vitamin D.
Remission is the disappearance of the signs and symptoms of cancer, and can be temporary or permanent. Most spontaneous remissions from terminal cancer are associated with significant dietary and physical and psychological patterns and events.