The following article covers Holistic Treatments for Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.
The immune system is directly impacted by non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which forms in the lymphatic system. That makes it harder for the body to protect itself from foreign invaders and heal on its own.
Holistic treatments for non-Hodgkin lymphoma aim to support the body as it copes with the disease and control symptoms. They give patients looking for non-toxic, natural therapies an alternative to conventional medicine and a safe way to minimize the side effects of treatment.
Holistic Treatments for Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Here are ten evidence-based holistic treatments worth exploring.
1. Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a popular holistic treatment for cancer patients and survivors. In a study of over 700 non-Hodgkin lymphoma survivors, over half used alternative therapies such as acupuncture [1].
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), acupuncture is a technique for balancing the flow of energy through the body. Western medicine views it as a way to stimulate nerves, muscles, and connective tissue, which might then trigger specific chemical reactions in the body.
While the exact mechanisms behind how acupuncture works are still being debated, what is clear is that it’s a clinically effective treatment for all types of cancer.
Studies show that it can improve patients’ reported quality of life, ease pain – which is critical for lymphoma patients suffering from swollen lymph nodes or abdominal pain – and help with cancer-related insomnia [2, 3].
2. High-Dose Vitamin C Therapy
Vitamin C therapy is another important alternative treatment for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. It has well-researched immune-enhancing properties and, in high doses, is known to provide anti-cancer benefits.
The problem is that only a small fraction of ingested vitamin C is absorbed during digestion. But with IV therapy – which involves a licensed medical practitioner administering vitamin C intravenously – the body absorbs 100% of this nutrient.
Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant, protecting against oxidative stress-induced cellular damage. But it also blocks some of the mechanisms in the body that support cancer cells, such as those initiated by glucose transporters and a protein known as hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) [4]. Additionally, preclinical studies found that high-dose vitamin C IV therapy inhibits tumor growth [5].
3. Quercetin IV Therapy
Quercetin is a flavonoid that is known to help with everything from immune health to reducing inflammation. There are a number of fruits and vegetables that are good food sources, including onions, broccoli, cherries, grapes, and apples. You can also get some dietary quercetin from green tea, coffee, and dark chocolate.
While this is one of the best bioactive compounds for overall health, for cancer patients, it could also help to combat the disease. Studies have found that quercetin has profound potential in the fight against cancer [6].
It regulates the cell cycle, making it a promising treatment for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which is characterized by out-of-control white blood cell growth. With this type of cancer, the lymphocytes (white blood cells that fight infections, including the B-cells and T-cells) don’t die off when they’re supposed to. The old, abnormal cells persist and new cells keep being produced, leading to an oversupply in the lymph nodes. This growth of abnormal cells can then spread to other parts of the lymphatic system and beyond.
During quercetin IV therapy, a patient gets a high dose of this phytonutrient, which is then readily absorbed by the body. This higher dose is important when treating cancer – at low concentrations, quercetin acts as an antioxidant, but at high doses, it offers greater anti-cancer activity, reducing abnormal cell proliferation, inducing cell death, and modulating the cell cycle [7].
4. Naturopathic Oncology
A naturopathic physician trained in integrative cancer care will create a tailored plan to help support the immune system, increase overall well-being, and decrease the side effects of conventional treatments. Naturopathic medicine can include several therapies known to help the body fight cancer, including evidence-based nutraceuticals and immune-stimulating therapies, such as mistletoe, green tea, and turmeric [8, 9]. A naturopathic physician might also recommend restorative therapies like hydrotherapy and chelation therapy.
5. Ozone Therapy
With safe alternative treatments like an ozone sauna, lymphoma patients benefit from the restorative properties of ozone and the detoxing effects of a sauna. During a treatment, the ozone enters the bloodstream and travels through the lymphatic system, helping to cleanse tissue from toxins.
Ozone is a bioactive molecule with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune-supporting properties [10]. As a therapy, it offers a non-toxic, non-invasive, side-effect-free treatment for cancer patients, and has proven benefits as a complementary treatment for cancer [11].
6. Photo Biomodulation Therapy
When treating non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma holistically, the goal is to aid the body as it recovers from conventional treatments and fights disease and to improve quality of life through better health using non-toxic therapies. Photo biomodulation therapy (PBMT), also known as low-level light therapy, promotes cell health through the application of light in the red or near-infrared region [12].
A special device known as HALO combines light with botanicals to provide therapeutic effects. This treatment offers relief for lymphoma patients suffering from anxiety, depression, and pain without causing any negative side effects.
7. Mind-Body Medicine
Mind-body medicine can help reformulate habits and thought patterns that can be causing stress in the body. Managing stress is important when fighting any type of cancer as it’s linked to both cancer progression and reactivating cancer cells [13, 14]. With therapies like biofeedback, recall healing, and meditative movement modalities such as yoga, tai chi, and qi gong, patients can minimize stress while also increasing a sense of calm and inner peace.
8. Low-Dose Metronomic Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is one of the most commonly used cancer treatments for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, but it also comes with harmful side effects because the drugs damage healthy cells along with cancer cells [15]. Insulin potentiation therapy (Low-Dose Metronomic Chemotherapy) uses insulin to enhance the cytotoxic effect of chemo drugs on cancer cells. The benefit of this alternative treatment is that it can reduce the dosage of chemotherapy cancer patients need to achieve the desired anti-cancer effect.
9. Hydrogen Peroxide Therapy
Holistic treatments for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma can also be used to protect the body from infections. As the immune system can’t function properly when cancer cells are proliferating in the lymphatic system, it’s important to help the body overcome common infections without creating more imbalance in the body – which is what antibiotics do [16].
Hydrogen peroxide IV therapy is a safe, natural treatment that can be used to treat infectious conditions including upper respiratory infections and influenza, so there’s no need to use antibiotics.
The human body constantly creates hydrogen peroxide as part of its normal immune defense system. With hydrogen peroxide IV therapy, a licensed physician administers the proper dilution of hydrogen peroxide to help the body overcome a viral or bacterial infection and prevent it from becoming overwhelmed.
10. Massage Therapy
Massage therapy is a helpful alternative and complementary treatment for lymphoma. With non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, the lymph nodes often become swollen and painful. This can result in blockages, which can create more health issues, such as joint pain, headaches, fatigue, and loss of appetite.
With massage, a therapist will increase lymph flow and unblock the lymph system. This can help to release toxins, ease symptoms of cancer, and support overall wellness [17].
Can Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Be Treated Holistically?
Today, cancer patients aren’t limited to conventional treatments. There are plenty of safe, non-toxic holistic treatments that are backed by scientific research. These treatments can offer a range of benefits, including helping the body fight cancer, relieving the side effects of cancer drugs, and supporting the immune system.
To find out more about how holistic treatments for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma can help you or a loved one, contact Brio-Medical. Our experienced team of integrative medicine and naturopathic physicians, mind-body specialists, and medical doctors are here to help you on your path toward better health.
References for holistic treatments for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma:
[1] Rausch Osian, Sarah et al. “Widespread use of complementary and alternative medicine among non-Hodgkin lymphoma survivors.” Leukemia & lymphoma vol. 56,2 (2015): 434-9. doi:10.3109/10428194.2014.916803
[2] Vinjamury, Sivarama Prasad et al. “Effects of acupuncture for cancer pain and quality of life – a case series.” Chinese medicine vol. 8,1 15. 30 Jul. 2013, doi:10.1186/1749-8546-8-15
[3] Choi, Tae-Young et al. “Acupuncture for Managing Cancer-Related Insomnia: A Systematic Review of Randomized Clinical Trials.” Integrative cancer therapies vol. 16,2 (2017): 135-146. doi:10.1177/1534735416664172
[4] Reang, Jurnal et al. “Understanding the Therapeutic Potential of Ascorbic Acid in the Battle to Overcome Cancer.” Biomolecules vol. 11,8 1130. 31 Jul. 2021, doi:10.3390/biom11081130
[5] Zasowska-Nowak, Anna et al. “High-Dose Vitamin C in Advanced-Stage Cancer Patients.” Nutrients vol. 13,3 735. 26 Feb. 2021, doi:10.3390/nu13030735
[6] Reyes-Farias, Marjorie, and Catalina Carrasco-Pozo. “The Anti-Cancer Effect of Quercetin: Molecular Implications in Cancer Metabolism.” International journal of molecular sciences vol. 20,13 3177. 28 Jun. 2019, doi:10.3390/ijms20133177
[7] Jana, Neuwirthová et al. “Potential of the Flavonoid Quercetin to Prevent and Treat Cancer – Current Status of Research.” “Potenciál flavonoidu quercetinu v prevenci a léčbě nádorů – současný stav výzkumu.” Klinicka onkologie : casopis Ceske a Slovenske onkologicke spolecnosti vol. 31,3 (2018): 184-190. doi:10.14735/amko2018184
[8] Kienle, G S et al. “Mistletoe in cancer – a systematic review on controlled clinical trials.” European journal of medical research vol. 8,3 (2003): 109-19.
[9] Wargovich, Michael J et al. “Nutraceutical use in late-stage cancer.” Cancer metastasis reviews vol. 29,3 (2010): 503-10. doi:10.1007/s10555-010-9240-5
[10] Scassellati, Catia et al. “Ozone: a natural bioactive molecule with antioxidant property as potential new strategy in aging and in neurodegenerative disorders.” Ageing research reviews vol. 63 (2020): 101138. doi:10.1016/j.arr.2020.101138
[11] Clavo, Bernardino et al. “Ozone Therapy as Adjuvant for Cancer Treatment: Is Further Research Warranted?.” Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM vol. 2018 7931849. 9 Sep. 2018, doi:10.1155/2018/7931849
[12] de Freitas, Lucas Freitas, and Michael R Hamblin. “Proposed Mechanisms of Photobiomodulation or Low-Level Light Therapy.” IEEE journal of selected topics in quantum electronics : a publication of the IEEE Lasers and Electro-optics Society vol. 22,3 (2016): 7000417. doi:10.1109/JSTQE.2016.2561201
[13] Chiriac, Valentina-Fineta et al. “Psychological stress and breast cancer incidence: a systematic review.” Clujul medical (1957) vol. 91,1 (2018): 18-26. doi:10.15386/cjmed-924
[14] Perego, Michela et al. “Reactivation of dormant tumor cells by modified lipids derived from stress-activated neutrophils.” Science translational medicine vol. 12,572 (2020): eabb5817. doi:10.1126/scitranslmed.abb5817
[15] Pearce, Alison et al. “Incidence and severity of self-reported chemotherapy side effects in routine care: A prospective cohort study.” PloS one vol. 12,10 e0184360. 10 Oct. 2017, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0184360
[16] Wang, Chih-Hung et al. “Defeating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria: Exploring Alternative Therapies for a Post-Antibiotic Era.” International journal of molecular sciences vol. 21,3 1061. 5 Feb. 2020, doi:10.3390/ijms21031061
[17] Sagar, S M et al. “Massage therapy for cancer patients: a reciprocal relationship between body and mind.” Current oncology (Toronto, Ont.) vol. 14,2 (2007): 45-56. doi:10.3747/co.2007.105
