Cancer Integrative Supportive Care
Integrative Medicine & Alternative Cancer Treatment
- Patient focused
- Safe and non-toxic therapies
- Treating the whole person, not just the cancer
- Integrating the best care for the patient to improve outcome and quality of life
- Provides supportive care for the body
If you are diagnosed with cancer you may want to consider integrative cancer care using supportive treatments which may enhance the body’s ability to fight cancer and help the conventional cancer treatments work more effectively. Our integrative medicine physicians, located in Washington, D.C., view cancer as a metabolic and genetic disease which has developed over time.
Integrative, holistic medicine combines conventional and safe, adjunctive complementary treatments to restore the patient to a better state of health and improve the quality of life. Whereas conventional medicine will focus on treating the tumor, the holistic approach to cancer treatment is to focus on the patient and outcome.
The NIHA physician works in conjunction with the patient’s conventional cancer treatment for necessary surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and immunotherapy, then places the focus on supporting the patient with safe, adjunctive therapies. The integrative physician provides complementary, supportive and specific therapies customized to each patient’s needs to enhance the body’s innate ability to heal and gain better quality of life while undergoing treatment. The patient is an active participant in the healing process. From the first visit, we work together with you to develop a plan. NIHA treats people with complementary therapies who are undergoing cancer treatment.
Integrative Cancer Treatment and Therapies
Changing the Internal Environment
Integrative medical treatment focuses on the patient — spirit, mind and body. The focus of treatment is to change the internal environment (internal milieu) of the body from one that promotes cancer growth to one that promotes healing and supports healthy cells. It fights the tumor from within by activating the immune system and starving the cancer.
This approach helps address the root cause(s) of illness where possible, and uses effective, intelligent strategies to disarm the growing cancer and the multiple components that perpetuate its unrelenting growth.
We believe that cancer is in essence a metabolic illness. In the right metabolic circumstances it is able to take hold in the body. If these metabolic conditions are maintained or enhanced, the cancer will not only continue to live, but grow and overcome the body’s inherent defenses. In our model of cancer treatment and support, we attempt to halt, interrupt, and even reverse these processes. The main ways that we do this include:
- Starve the cancer while supporting the nutritional needs of the rest of the body
- Inhibit the cancer
- Detoxify the body
- Oxygenate the tissues of the body to shut down the cancer
- Improve the immune system function so the body can better fight the cancer
Integrative Cancer Care
Treatment Options for Possible Underlying Factors
Cancer affects the individual on many levels and is a multi-factorial and complex disease. We consider many factors to be important in the treatment of cancer and a thorough assessment or “complete picture of the patient” is an essential first step.
Cancer develops over time, so the treatment strategy is based on addressing possible underlying health issues which may have contributed to the development of disease. Factors such as toxic chemicals, immune system issues, chronic infections, nutrient imbalances or deficiencies, stress, and unresolved psycho-emotional issues need to be assessed and considered in treating the whole person.
Integrative & Holistic Cancer Supportive Care
STARVE THE CANCER
Cancer feeds on sugar. Starve the cancer cell of sugar by withdrawing the source of food, starting with the diet.
- Special anti-cancer diet
- Scientific evidence from PET scans shows most cancer cells take more sugar (glucose) than normal tissue
DESTROY THE CANCER
Treatment is customized for each patient. Kill the cancer cells by either natural or therapeutic means such as oxygen and oxidative therapies, IV therapies and support elimination of toxic debris.
NIHA physicians will actively coordinate its services with a patient’s oncologist and other treating physicians to ensure patients have an active team supporting their care.
DETOXIFY THE BODY
Cancer developed over time under the stress of accumulated toxins. Detoxfication is essential for successful cancer treatment.
- Laboratory testing to evaluate chemical or environmental toxicities
- Detecting and eliminating food and environmental allergies
- Restoring natural flora to the bowel
- A comprehensive whole body detoxification program in order for other therapies to work effectively
Read more about Detoxification
STRENGTHEN THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
Cancer is an immune deficiency condition. Support and strengthen the immune system so it can do its job.
- Assess immune status with advanced laboratory tests
- Detect and eliminate chronic infections such as yeast/Candida, Lyme Disease
- Reduce tissue inflammation and promote healing
- Enhance immune defense to cancer
Mistletoe Therapy
In the realm of complementary and alternative therapies for cancer, mistletoe therapy shines as a promising avenue for cancer patients seeking holistic approaches to their treatment. Derived from the European mistletoe plant, this therapy has gained attention for its potential benefits, often used alongside conventional cancer treatments.
- Enhanced Quality of Life
- Bolsters the immune system
- Helps with overall well-being, reduce fatigue and enhanced tolerance to conventional cancer treatments
Read more about Mistletoe Therapy
CANCER IS A MALNUTRITION CONDITION
Correct nutritional imbalances. Specialty lab testing for vitamin and mineral deficiencies and nutrient status will give an assessment of what is happening at the cellular level.
- Laboratory evaluation to determine any nutritional imbalance
- A comprehensive anti-cancer diet program
- Optimal nutrition foods, oral and I.V. supplementation to correct imbalances
EMOTIONAL HEALING AND SPIRITUAL SUPPORT
Cancer is a whole body disease involving the body, mind and spirit. We enocurage you to find a caring counselor who can help navigate through illness as an opportunity to regain harmony of mind, body and spirit. Disease has a psycho-emotional component that can play a role in healing.
WHAT TO EXPECT
A cancer diagnosis is devastating and frightening. NIHA is here to provide a supportive hand to accompany you through the journey to fight, to survive and to thrive. Integrative, holistic medicine works together with conventional medical treatments to restore the patient to a better state of health and general well-being. This is our goal and our approach for cancer prevention and cancer supportive care.
The supportive care and treatment at NIHA is based on the information obtained from our specialty laboratory test results concerning your immune status, nutritional status, chronic infection and underlying allergies or toxins. Functional tests or evaluations may be used to identify root causes and to correct underlying pathology. Targeted and individualized holistic treatments will be provided by integrative physicians and qualified medical practitioners.
Non-invasive and natural therapies focusing on increasing energy, appetite, and strengthening the immune system will work together with modern medical technology to bring the best possible outcome. We strive to meet the physical and emotional needs of the patients and their families.
Please note that while NIHA physicians and staff have training and experience in cancer management and treatment, they are not oncologists; NIHA will actively coordinate its services with a patient’s oncologist and other treating physicians to ensure patients have an active team supporting their care.
Google Review
“Dr. Gant saved my husband’s life. He faced a terminal diagnosis of stage 4 melanoma. Even though we were given no hope by other very reputable oncology doctors, Dr Gant spent countless hours with us to determine the biological cause of cell mutation and developed a treatment plan that worked. We are forever grateful to Dr. Gant and the team at NIHA who tirelessly helped our family.” M.D. 2018
— L.A
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