In my practice, discussions pertaining to nutritional advice and dietary support (aka what should I be eating?), are the most common conversations I have with patients. I often get asked about special ways of eating, also termed “fad diets”, which describes a prescribed way of eating with often various restrictions, with promises to combat and… Read More

It is estimated that there are about 17 million cancer survivors currently living in the US.  The population of people who are cancer survivors continues to increase, due to the advancing age of the population as well as the improved response rates to chemotherapy and immunotherapy. However, even with the success of cancer treatment, cancer… Read More

As of 2019, there are about 16 million cancer survivors in the US and about 32 million globally.  Women with early-stage breast cancers and men with non-metastatic prostate cancers represent the two largest groups of survivors (40% of all cancer survivors). With an increasing number of cancer survivors, so also increases the health-related complications these… Read More

Mushrooms – whether or not your taste buds enjoy this edible dietary fungus, medicinal mushrooms are a major part of integrative cancer care.  Medicinal mushrooms have sparked great intrigue among those who study cancer therapies, and they are one of the most studied medicinal foods.  They are known to modulate our immune system, protect our… Read More

If you are a patient of mine, you’ve had your vitamin D tested.  In my practice, it is mandatory, and I would like to share why I feel this way.  I’m almost crazy about it.  If you have cancer, or have a history of cancer, you should have your vitamin D levels tested at least… Read More

The term phytoestrogen refers to a naturally occurring compound found in commonly consumed foods that is structurally similar to estrogen. The highest amount of phytoestrogens are found in soy based foods and flaxseed, but are also found in fruits, vegetables, nuts and grains. Friend or Foe? Phytoestrogens have a bad reputation. They are often referred… Read More

Stress is ubiquitous in everyone’s life. Major stressors include life events such as the loss of a job, moving or a divorce. Stressors can be acute, like dealing with a rude driver. Stressors can even be imagined, like worrying about the future. Regardless of the source of stress, the impact of stress on the body… Read More

Intravenous vitamin C (IVC) is a popular therapy for the treatment of cancer and its side effects. In the 1970s, Nobel prize winner Linus Pauling developed a protocol for using vitamin C with cancer patients, and noticed that there was a positive effect on survival in terminal cancer patients. Over 40 years later, IVC is… Read More

Vaginal symptoms in menopause – either natural menopause or induced menopause by cancer treatments – is one of the most common reasons women seek medical advice.  It is also common for women not to mention these symptoms due to embarrassment or discomfort.  Medical practitioners often forget to inquire about vaginal health, and thus it is an important… Read More

The fatigue that comes after cancer treatments can be physically, emotionally, and mentally distressing.  It has been described as a type of fatigue that cannot be alleviated with sleep alone, and it often takes a multi-factorial approach to treat it.  Besides exhaustion, people can experience memory loss, difficulty concentrating, nausea, and muscle weakness.  Paradoxically, they… Read More