The following article covers holistic treatments for Leukemia Cancer.
Leukemia is a complex type of cancer. Because it forms in the blood-forming tissues, it impacts the immune system, making it more difficult for the body to defend itself from infections.
The good news is that with holistic therapies known to strengthen immune health and support healing, cancer patients can have a better experience. Both centuries-old natural treatments such as acupuncture and herbal medicine, as well as newer, innovative therapies, can play a role in your healing journey.
But, whether you’re looking for ways to reduce the side effects of conventional cancer drugs, enable natural healing, or simply feel more energized and alive, it’s helpful to understand what choices are available and what the science says about holistic treatments for leukemia.
Holistic Treatments for Leukemia Cancer
Read on to learn about ten evidence-based holistic treatments that can help leukemia patients on their path toward better health.
1. Low-Dose Metronomic Chemotherapy
Insulin potentiation therapy was developed in the 1930s by a physician practicing in Mexico City, Donato Perez Garcia, Sr., M.D. Dr. Perez discovered that the hormone insulin can impact the permeability of cell membranes, thus improving the assimilation of certain nutrients and medicines [1].
In the decades following Dr. Perez’s discovery, researchers and Low-Dose Metronomic Chemotherapy-certified physicians have also found that insulin potentiation therapy is a promising alternative therapy for cancer. It works by increasing the efficacy of chemotherapy, thus reducing the need for a high dose of drugs that cause harmful side effects, while at the same time increasing the anticancer effect.
For instance, one study involving prostate cancer patients found that combining Low-Dose Metronomic Chemotherapy with low-dose chemotherapy and hormone therapy has a beneficial effect on 75% of patients. Additionally, none of the patients in the study reported serious side effects [2].
Insulin potentiation therapy is a true holistic therapy because it acts to restore the immune system, which is essential for leukemia patients. With a stronger immune system, the body is better equipped to protect itself against all enemies, including cancer and foreign invaders such as bacteria and viruses.
2. Polyphenols
Studies show that polyphenols – a group of phytochemicals found in fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole-grain cereals, and herbs – protect the body from diseases, including cancers like leukemia. In fact, there’s some evidence that eating lots of polyphenol-rich foods can prevent from 10% to 70% of cancer deaths [3].
However, these phytochemicals might also have therapeutic benefits for leukemia patients. Some polyphenols, including quercetin, apigenin, and resveratrol, have been shown to work synergistically with chemo drugs or on their own to increase cancer cell death (apoptosis), inhibit the cell cycle, and help prevent and possibly reverse multidrug resistance [3].
3. Herbal Medicine
Polyphenols are an important class of phytochemicals that can be used in the fight against cancer, but there are other natural compounds that have demonstrated an antileukemic effect on the body. These bioactive compounds are found in a variety of herbs, including ginseng root, kenaf, and garlic [4].
Ginseng Root
Ginseng root contains ginsenosides, which are a type of steroid saponins. Researchers have found that these natural compounds induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis and inhibit DNA synthesis of cancer cells.
Additionally, one ginsenoside (ginsenoside Rh1) suppresses a specific signaling pathway (mitogen-activated protein kinase or MAPK), thus inhibiting the invasion and migration of acute monocytic cells [5]. These are the cells the body produces when someone has acute monocytic leukemia, the most common type of leukemia in adults.
Kenaf
Kenaf is a type of hibiscus that’s related to okra, cotton, and other fibrous plants. Kenaf seed oil is rich in bioactive compounds with anticancer and antioxidant properties, and there is early research indicating that the oil causes human leukemia cells to die [6].
Garlic
Garlic is known to have a direct cytotoxic effect on leukemia cancer cells [7], although the exact mechanism remains unknown. One specific phytochemical in garlic – ajoene – has also been shown to inhibit the spread of leukemic cancer cells and provide antileukemic benefits for acute myeloid leukemia patients [8].
4. Ozone Therapy
This therapy has been studied for decades and has been shown to help with everything from the treatment of viral diseases to immune stimulation in cancer patients [9]. Because cancer doesn’t thrive in an oxygenated environment, using ozone therapy might be a beneficial option for people fighting blood cancer and those who want to prevent a relapse.
Ozone therapy might also be helpful for protecting leukemia patients from infections and dealing with the side effects of conventional cancer drugs. For instance, ozone therapy can be used to treat oral ulcers and other complications that are common among individuals dealing with leukemia. In one study, a leukemia patient experienced a complete resolution within two weeks of treatment with ozone therapy, something doctors aren’t able to replicate with traditional therapy [10].
5. Acupuncture and Acupressure
Both acupuncture and acupressure work by stimulating specific points along what Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) calls meridians or energy pathways. Practitioners use hair-thin needles to stimulate acupuncture points. For acupressure, they simply use their hands to apply pressure.
While TCM views the meridians as pathways of energy, modern medicine has found that most of the acupuncture points – about 80% – are linked to bundles of vascular nerves of soft connective tissue [11].
More research is needed to pinpoint exactly how acupuncture and acupressure impact the body. What is clear is that these holistic treatments can benefit individuals with leukemia and other types of cancer. Studies prove they’re helpful for reducing nausea and vomiting in patients with acute myeloblastic leukemia [12]. They can also help leukemia patients safely manage constipation and other side effects of chemotherapy, including hot flashes, fatigue, and anxiety [13].
6. Hypnosis
Hypnosis is a worthwhile complementary therapy for patients with leukemia seeking therapies to improve their cancer treatment outcome or manage symptoms [14]. It’s a safe, non-invasive, effective treatment that individuals can use themselves to reduce stress and minimize the experience of symptoms associated with their cancer treatment plan, such as pain, fatigue, or nausea [15].
7. IV Therapy
With IV therapy, you can restore your body at the cellular level by delivering nutrients directly into the bloodstream. A physician can administer a high dose of specific nutrients that have known anticancer effects, such as quercetin and curcumin [16].
This type of holistic treatment can be helpful for a patient undergoing cancer treatment, as well as for those who want to bolster their health to prevent cancer from coming back.
8. Mindfulness Meditation
Mindfulness-based meditations involve focusing on the breath during meditation to increase one’s ability to live in the present and develop a nonjudgmental awareness of moment-to-moment experiences.
The reality is that being diagnosed with cancer and going through treatment are stressful experiences associated with high-stress levels and depression. Fortunately, a simple therapy like mindfulness can make a significant difference. There are multiple studies revealing a link between mindfulness meditation and a higher quality of life for cancer patients in the form of a better immune response, less distress, and a decreased symptom burden [17].
9. Homeopathy
Homeopathy is another alternative treatment that has been used by physicians for centuries. While there have been few studies looking at the benefits of homeopathy for leukemia, there is some evidence that it can help with certain types of leukemia and with cancer in general. In one case, for example, a young girl suffering from acute lymphoblastic leukemia who didn’t respond to chemotherapy was treated with homeopathic medicine – her cancer completely resolved [18].
10. Red Light Therapy
Red light therapy is a safe, non-toxic therapy that is known to shorten the time it takes the body to heal. Leukemia patients who are looking for a solution to help restore the body after going through cancer treatment or who want to use a non-invasive therapy to protect the body from infections can consider this holistic treatment. Research has shown red light therapy helps with tissue repair, reducing inflammation, boosting immune health, and inactivating viruses [19].
Begin Your Healing Journey with a Tailored Holistic Treatment Plan for Leukemia
While most people are aware of traditional treatment options for blood cancer, when you explore the world of holistic medicine, you can see that there are many more options worth considering. Holistic therapies can help individuals fighting leukemia with everything from symptom reduction to preventing the cancer from returning.
Take the first step on your path toward better wellness – contact Brio- Medical today. Our licensed physicians and medical specialists will work with you to create a plan that serves your unique needs.
References for holistic treatments for leukemia:
[1] S.G. Ayre, D. Perez Garcia y Bellon, D. Perez Garcia. “Insulin potentiation therapy: A new concept in the management of chronic degenerative disease.” Medical Hypotheses, Volume 20,2 (1986): 199-210. doi: 10.1016/0306-9877(86)90126
[2] Damyanov, Christo et al. “Low-dose chemotherapy with insulin (insulin potentiation therapy) in combination with hormone therapy for treatment of castration-resistant prostate cancer.” ISRN urology vol. 2012 (2012): 140182. doi:10.5402/2012/140182
[3] Alaswad, Hamza A et al. “Molecular Action of Polyphenols in Leukaemia and Their Therapeutic Potential.” International journal of molecular sciences vol. 22,6 3085. 17 Mar. 2021, doi:10.3390/ijms22063085
[4] Saedi, Tayebeh Azam et al. “The effects of herbs and fruits on leukaemia.” Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM vol. 2014 (2014): 494136. doi:10.1155/2014/494136
[5] Choi, Yeo-Jin et al. “Ginsenoside Rh1 inhibits the invasion and migration of THP-1 acute monocytic leukemia cells via inactivation of the MAPK signaling pathway.” Fitoterapia vol. 82,6 (2011): 911-9. doi:10.1016/j.fitote.2011.05.005
[6] Warner, N L et al. “A transplantable myelomonocytic leukemia in BALB-c mice: cytology, karyotype, and muramidase content.” Journal of the National Cancer Institute vol. 43,4 (1969): 963-82.
[7] Abdullah, T H et al. “Garlic revisited: therapeutic for the major diseases of our times?.” Journal of the National Medical Association vol. 80,4 (1988): 439-45.
[8] Dirsch, V M et al. “Ajoene, a compound of garlic, induces apoptosis in human promyeloleukemic cells, accompanied by generation of reactive oxygen species and activation of nuclear factor kappaB.” Molecular pharmacology vol. 53,3 (1998): 402-7. doi:10.1124/mol.53.3.402
[9] Elvis, A M, and J S Ekta. “Ozone therapy: A clinical review.” Journal of natural science, biology, and medicine vol. 2,1 (2011): 66-70. doi:10.4103/0976-9668.82319
[10] Oldoini, Giacomo et al. “Ozone Therapy for Oral Palatal Ulcer in a Leukaemic Patient.” European journal of case reports in internal medicine vol. 7,2 001406. 14 Jan. 2020, doi:10.12890/2020_001406
[11] Maurer, Norbert et al. “Anatomical Evidence of Acupuncture Meridians in the Human Extracellular Matrix: Results from a Macroscopic and Microscopic Interdisciplinary Multicentre Study on Human Corpses.” Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM vol. 2019 6976892. 21 Mar. 2019, doi:10.1155/2019/6976892
[12] Avc, Hatice Sevil et al. “Effect of Acupressure on Nausea-Vomiting in Patients With Acute Myeloblastic Leukemia.” Holistic nursing practice vol. 30,5 (2016): 257-62. doi:10.1097/HNP.0000000000000161
[13] Chen, Chun-Ye et al. “Efficacy of Non-Invasive Auricular Acupressure for Treating Constipation in Leukemia Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy: A Systematic Review.” Complementary medicine research vol. 25,6 (2018): 406-412. doi:10.1159/000491693
[14] Wesa, Kathleen M, and Barrie R Cassileth. “Is there a role for complementary therapy in the management of leukemia?.” Expert review of anticancer therapy vol. 9,9 (2009): 1241-9. doi:10.1586/era.09.100
{15] Montgomery, Guy H et al. “Hypnosis for cancer care: over 200 years young.” CA: a cancer journal for clinicians vol. 63,1 (2013): 31-44. doi:10.3322/caac.21165
[16] Haghighian, Hossein Khadem et al. “The Role of the Curcumin for Inducing Apoptosis in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Cells: A Systematic Review.” Nutrition and cancer vol. 73,7 (2021): 1081-1091. doi:10.1080/01635581.2020.1791916
[17] Mehta, Ria et al. “Evidence for the Role of Mindfulness in Cancer: Benefits and Techniques.” Cureus vol. 11,5 e4629. 9 May. 2019, doi:10.7759/cureus.4629
[18] Ghulam Yaseen, Dr. “A Case Report of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Patient Cured with Homeopathy”. Saher Welfare Foundation, April 2020.
[19] de Matos, Brenda Thaynne Lima et al. “Photobiomodulation Therapy as a Possible New Approach in COVID-19: A Systematic Review.” Life (Basel, Switzerland) vol. 11,6 580. 18 Jun. 2021, doi:10.3390/life11060580
