Create a Body Cancer Doesn't Like

Dr Lise Alschuler, a naturopathic doctor with board certification in naturopathic oncology, and Karolyn A. Gazella, the publisher of theNatural Medicine Journal, an innovative peer-reviewed medical journal for holistic-minded healthcare practitioners, started Five to Thrive®. Five to Thrive is a multi-media educational initiative that features an informational website, books, radio show, videos, social networks, and a digital magazine.  It promotes an integrative approach to cancer prevention and treatment that aim to positively transform the health of those affected by this disease. Their mission is to educate people about lifestyle-based, integrative, and scientifically sound health promotion strategies, and in this way create deeper and more widespread wellness.

The five strategies to thrive after cancer are:

Spirit - joy, hope, laughter, service, love

Being grateful stabilizes the chromozomes.  To truly feel grateful you need to work on your ability to be in the moment. Great tools to achieve this are meditation and the gratitude journal

Movement - strength training, aerobic activity, flexibility, proper timing, optimal hydration.

Exercise is a wonderful tool to stay healthy. Our bodies are meant to move. Most of us are spending a lot of time sitting and we need to change that. We need to take brakes and move by doing for example knee bends or just walk around. Number of hours watching TV is  a predictive factor for getting cancer. When muscles contract they release chemicals that regulate key bodily functions. They act as an antidote to insulin resistance and are anti inflammatory. If we don't exercise we don't get the benefit from these chemicals.

Diet - engage your senses, add more color, eat organic, eat whole foods, spice it up.

Plant based, non processed foods offer a risk reduction.  Mediterranean type diet with plants, lean protein, good quality oils, fruit at the end of the meal, minimal alcohol. Eating in a relaxed social setting is very beneficial. You need to take time to eat making it a possibility for having fun with family and friends.

Environment - personal care items, cleaning products, toxins, water filtration, air purification.

Use natural, organic personal care products and use organic cleaning products to reduce exposure to toxins. You can find tips on DIY alternatives for cleaning here, and for skin care here and here
Dietary supplements can be helpful since we don't usually get all the nutrition we need from our food since the soil is nutrient depleted. There are five supplement  categories:
Antioxidants, fish oil/fatty acids, vitamin D, flavenoides and probiotics.
But don't get the cheap synthetic vitamins! Then it is better to stick with good food.

Rejuvenation - rhytm, rest, relax, replenish, remediate.

Being healthy before diagnosis means that you will probably take treatment better.

"The Definitive Guide to Thriving After Cancer, a five step integrative plan to reduce the risk of recurrence and build lifelong health" is available at Amazon and Kindle.