14


Natural Choices


May/June 2011 News from the Valley’s Integrated Health Community Facets of Integrative Cancer Care:


A Naturopathic Medical Standpoint By Sonja Fung, N.D.


Editors Note: The July/August issue of Desert Health will feature an in-depth look at Inte- grative Cancer Care with input from both medical and natural health care professionals


What is Integrative Cancer Care? Integrative cancer care uses a comprehensive approach to health, combining conventional and alternative therapies specific to the patient’s needs. Integrative cancer care is NOT about replacing your medical oncologist; it is about creating a diversified team of doctors and health practitioners to formulate your unique treat- ment plan. An integrative approach uses the best treatments at the most appropri- ate time to get optimal results. This means that before surgery, chemotherapy or radiation, appropriate use of complementary therapies can fortify your body with healing nutrients to maintain your energy, strengthen your immune function, shrink recovery time, augment your cancer-fighting ability, and minimize side effects for a more optimal quality of life.2


Role of Naturopathic Medicine in Cancer Care Naturopathic doctors (NDs) focus on cancer care from a holistic standpoint. These physicians have expertise in complementary treatments used to support your body’s innate ability to heal and support itself. Treatments include diet and nutrition, life- style counseling, IV nutrient therapy, and appropriate supplementation to enhance cancer cell death. NDs are also poised for continued care post-cancer treatment to address and minimize risks for cancer reoccurrence.2


IV Nutrient Therapy: A Facet of Cancer Care Naturopathic cancer care has multiple facets: nutrition, botanical medicine, nutri-


ent therapy, movement therapy, and mental and emotional support. Here we are focusing on Intravenous Nutritional therapy.


IV nutritional therapy is a highly concentrated infusion of vitamins, minerals, and


other natural substances delivered directly into your cells to support optimal health and correct any nutrient deficiencies. It effectively stabilizes and increases muscle mass, replenishes vitamins and minerals, increases energy and strengthens the im- mune system.3


High dose Vitamin C infusions can be used to decrease tumor burden and boost the immune system.5


Doses as high as 50-100 grams of vitamin C are necessary for


therapeutic effect and is only achievable when given via IV, whereas an oral intake of the same amount will cause severe diarrhea and cramping.


In lung, ovarian, colon, and pancreatic cancers, disease progression is often marked by loss of appetite, loss of energy, and muscle wasting.4


www.livewellclinic.org For patients unable


to intake enough food, IV amino acids, b vitamins, and minerals are commonly used in naturopathic clinics to halt and reverse progression of muscle loss and fatigue. It is best to start IV therapy before that point, however, and it is one of the most effec- tive therapies at any point in the cancer fighting process.


Dr. Sonja Fung is a Naturopathic Doctor utilizing IV nutrient therapy at Live Well Clinic. Live Well Clinic is located on Washington and Hwy 111 in La Quinta at Point Happy Plaza. For more information you can visit www.livewellclinic.org or call 760-771-5970.


1) Alschuler, Lise and Gazella, Karolyn. Definitive Guide to Cancer. 2nd Ed. Berkeley: Celestial Arts, 2007. 2) OncANP. http://www.oncanp. org/. 3) Anderson, Carter, Osborne. IV Nutritional Therapy for Physicians. Cedar Ridge: 2010. 4) Abeloff, Armitage, Niederhuber, et al. Clini- cal Oncology. 3rd Ed. 5) Verrax J, Calderon PB. “Pharmacologic concentrations of ascorbate are achieved by parenteral administration and exhibit antitumoral effects.” Free Radic Biol Med. 1;47 (2009): 9-27.


Exploring Art as Medicine By Judy Nemer Sklar


find effective ways to manage this stress. Many doctors now suggest we treat the ‘whole person’ by combining conventional Western medicine with complementary treatments, such as acupuncture, yoga and massage. Integrative medicine, as this is called, appeals to many patients because it promises a broad approach to one’s health. I am not a doctor, but as an artist and a teacher, I advocate that included in this array of complementary therapies should be the Exploration of the Art Making Process.


The benefits of Art Making can be transformative. It can heal us individually and engage us socially. Studies on aging indicate that those who participate in arts pro- grams are in better health, have a greater sense of self and community, and are less prone to depression. Stimulating our brains by learning and trying new things is good for us. We discover that when we open ourselves to the exploration of our cre- ative nature, powerful changes occur; as we evolve so does our view of the people, places and greater world around us.


www.judynemersklar.com


terns from bird feathers and sea shells. What happened to that creative child? Why is it so difficult to tap into that which was once instinctive?


these stressors are self-imposed, others societal. Either way, we are bombarded with so much information that there doesn’t seem much time for free thinking and play. That is why at the start of an art workshop I suggest taking a few moments to just breathe deeply a few times. With relaxed shoulders and eyes closed, this simple act of relaxing allows us to hold the moment before we begin the process of creat- ing. It gives each participant “permission” to release his/her outside obligations and (for the duration of the project) focus solely on making art.


self creatively. When you begin to explore your creative side, you are planting a seed that allows you to build upon your strengths, relieve stress and nurture different parts of your personality. Art will expose you to new ideas, people and as many colors, textures and materials as you are willing to embrace. Most importantly, the process is fun. It will put a smile on your face and make you feel good about yourself. And while art is indeed very personal, it also tends to bind people and communities together in a non-competitive, harmonious way. That’s why I believe that Art is the perfect medicine!


Judy Nemer Sklar is a professional artist, teacher and student. She is in the process of earning her Master’s Degree at CSUDH/Humanities-Creative Track. She teaches a workshop series she has developed entitled “Planting a Seed: Creating Art Inspired by Words, Music Artifacts, Texts and Tweets” @2010. 760.340.9404


www.DesertHealthNews.com No matter what your age or current career path it is not too late to express your- Every day we are faced with obligations, expectations and demands. Some of As children, creating things was natural; we built castles in the sand and made pat- Contemporary life is stressful and to enhance the quality of our lives we must


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20