Your Options in Alternative Medicine for Pancreatic Cancer

Some alternative treatments for cancer are suitable for people with all forms of the disease. For example, thyroid cancer alternative medicine may include yoga and meditation, both of which are intended to keep the patient supple and mentally strong so that they stand a better chance of fighting their disease. Meditation and yoga can also help other cancer patients regardless of which organ or system of the body is involved. Then there are those alternative medicine treatments that are geared towards specific types of cancer. Here we will be talking about different pancreatic cancer alternative medicine options.

The pancreas is a digestive organ which produces the insulin that regulates blood sugar levels and digestive enzymes that help the body to metabolize fat. People with pancreatic cancer may not produce enough of these digestive enzymes, especially those who have had surgery as part of their treatment. That’s why weight loss is a symptom commonly associated with pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer alternative medicine involves consuming those foods that will build the body back up. The problem is that the body may be unable to digest many of the high fat foods that make one gain weight and the patient may not be producing enough insulin to regulate blood sugar. Therefore the patient must consult with a dietician until they find a diet plan that their body can tolerate. Some people find that a diet high in carbohydrates and protein works well, especially if they eat little and often. Other patients have difficulty eating solid foods at all so they opt to consume meal replacement drinks instead.

Pancreatic cancer alternative medicine often includes the use of certain herbs and supplements. For example, Asian and American Ginseng are both purported to lower blood glucose levels while green tea extract provides a healthy dose of antioxidants. Milk thistle, magnesium citrate, papaya plus and a good multivitamin are also recommended for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer alternative medicine might also involve the ingestion of pancreatic enzymes with every meal. Sometimes insulin therapy is also necessary. Before you consider taking any herbs or supplements make sure you talk to your doctor to ensure they are safe for you.

Other pancreatic cancer alternative medicine practices people have found helpful include acupuncture, yoga, massage and relaxation techniques such as meditation. These practices do not necessarily cure pancreatic cancer but they do help the patient maintain a positive state of mind and this makes it easier to deal with unpleasant symptoms, cope with treatment side effects and fight against the disease.