The Cancer Pod: Integrative Medicine Talk

An inflamed bladder (cystitis) can be caused by infections (urinary tract infection, UTI) or from treatment itself (radiation, chemotherapy, other drugs). Did you know some foods can irritate an inflamed bladder? Removing them can provide relief! Tina and Leah discuss the many ways that you can soothe and support your bladder with diet and herbs. Join the discussion and learn how to improve your own bladder health! Foods that can irritate the bladder (from Brigham and Women's Hospital) A technical paper on bladder damage from radiation Prior episodes we mention: Cranberry: A Healthy Addition to Your Plate! Berries: Food First! Herbal companies we recommend: Mountain Rose Herbs Starwest Botanicals Frontier Co-op Herbs GAIA Herbs We may make a small commission at no cost to you if you purchase using links above. Support the Show. Our website: https://www.thecancerpod.com Have an idea or question? Email us: thecancerpod@gmail.com Join our growing community, we are @TheCancerPod on: InstagramTwitterFacebookLinkedIn THANK YOU for listening!

Pelvic health is often overlooked, especially in cancer care. Dr. Alex Hill shares invaluable insights and practical strategies for addressing common issues like urinary incontinence, sexual dysfunction, and constipation. Join us in this enlightening discussion about the tools of the trade, types of pelvic floor exercises (Spoiler: It's not just Kegels), and why you really should not hover over the toilet when you urinate. Short bio, website, and all social links for Dr. Alex Hill. Be sure to follow Dr. Hill on her YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@oncopelvicpt and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/oncopelvicpt Links mentioned in this episode: Find a pelvic health or oncology-trained physical therapist Find a lymphedema trained PT through Lymphology Association of North America (LANA) Support the show Our website: https://www.thecancerpod.com Have an idea or question? Email us: thecancerpod@gmail.com Join our growing community, we are @TheCancerPod on: InstagramTwitterFacebookLinkedIn THANK YOU for listening!

Prebiotics feed our probiotics. So which is more important? Should you supplement with prebiotics? In this episode Tina and Leah discuss the different types of prebiotics and where to find them. They also talk about ketogenic diets, when a probiotic may interfere with treatment, and the hidden benefits in potatoes, rice and pasta! Here are the seven categories of prebiotics we talked about in this episode: Inulin, FOS, GOS, resistant starches, arabinooxalans, pectins, and beta glucans Links to prior episodes we mention: Probiotics: The Bugs We Love! Studies we mention in this episode: Stem cell transplants in kids work better when they have high gut diversity (2014) The microbiota can make or break the effectiveness of Checkpoint inhibitors (Highly technical!) Antibiotics alongside Checkpoint Inhibitors can impair the effectiveness of treatment Support the show Our website: https://www.thecancerpod.com Have an idea or question? Email us: thecancerpod@gmail.com Join our growing community, we are @TheCancerPod on: InstagramTwitterFacebookLinkedIn THANK YOU for listening!

Discover valuable insights on nutrition, self-advocacy, and overcoming challenges in this heartfelt interview with Alison Tierney, MS, RD, CD, CSO, a cancer dietitian and #cancerinsider. Tina and Leah lead an engaging conversation on navigating treatment and beyond. Whether you're a beginner in healthy eating or a seasoned health enthusiast, Alison shares firsthand experiences and practical tips for self-care. Tune in for a refreshing perspective on wellness that promises to inspire and empower. Find Alison online and learn more the The Wholesome Journey and Controlling the Controllables™ at https://wholesomellc.com and on Instagram at https://instagram.com/wholesome.cancer.nutrition Support the show Our website: https://www.thecancerpod.com Have an idea or question? Email us: thecancerpod@gmail.com Join our growing community, we are @TheCancerPod on: InstagramTwitterFacebookLinkedIn THANK YOU for listening!

Cruciferous vegetables, like broccoli, kale, arugula, cabbage, and radishes, are sometimes called "super foods." But why? How are they good for you? In this episode, Tina and Leah answer these questions and discuss ways crucifers can be part of a healthy diet. They touch on some of the supplements that come from crucifers, too. So, hit play, and you may hear the best broccoli joke you've ever heard. A thorough (and technical) review on cruciferous vegetables - Linus Pauling Institute Link to buy lids for sprouting Tina's review on iodine and Cancer in NMJ Support the show Our website: https://www.thecancerpod.com Have an idea or question? Email us: thecancerpod@gmail.com Join our growing community, we are @TheCancerPod on: InstagramTwitterFacebookLinkedIn THANK YOU for listening!

Berries are one of the most easily accessible, nutrient-packed plant foods we can eat. You may know that berries are good for you, but do you know what makes them so nutritious? Tina and Leah talk about common and exotic berries and tell you what's inside berries that makes them so awesome! You may even learn a few new plants you didn't know were technically berries! Bananas are berries! About Goji Berries Information on Sea Buckthorn The health effects of berry bioactive compounds Antioxidant effects of berries The fruit that is literally called Miracle Fruit Support the show Our website: https://www.thecancerpod.com Have an idea or question? Email us: thecancerpod@gmail.com Join our growing community, we are @TheCancerPod on: InstagramTwitterFacebookLinkedIn THANK YOU for listening!

Electrolyte balance is essential for optimal function of all of our systems. This episode covers the electrolytes you should pay close attention to during and after treatment. We're not talking designer drinks or influencer hacks to your biology, just practical knowledge and tips to help you balance your electrolytes. Join Tina and Leah as they talk about how to know if you have imbalanced electrolytes and what you can do to monitor and optimize them. Prior episodes related to this episode: Calcium: The Low Down and the High Points Magnesium: The Goldilocks Nutrient? Relevant medical papers: A brief review of electrolytes [Stat Pearls] Electrolytes during platinum-based chemotherapies Products we mention: (If you purchase, we may earn a small commission at no cost to you.) Pedialyte products Oral Rehydration Salts by TriOral Support the show Our website: https://www.thecancerpod.com Have an idea or question? Email us: thecancerpod@gmail.com Join our growing community, we are @TheCancerPod on: InstagramTwitterFacebookLinkedIn THANK YOU for listening!

Ginger "root" has been used for thousands of years. Technically a rhizome, not a root, ginger's modern-day claim to fame is its ability to prevent the onset of nausea. Ginger is so reliable and safe that it's been studied to prevent nausea during pregnancy as well as chemo-induced nausea. But that is just the beginning of the benefits of ginger. It can be used to support immune function and lower cardiovascular risk, among its many uses. Join Tina & Leah as they explore the most reliable ways to use ginger from a culinary and medicinal perspective. A review of 109 randomized controlled trials on the use of ginger The history of gingerbread (from The Spruce) Some products mentioned in this episode: (If you decide to purchase, we may earn a small commission from Amazon at no cost to you.) Ginger People products Reeds Ginger Ale Tummy drops (Pineapple and Spicy Ginger are Leah’s favorites!) - Mild or Strong Support the show Our website: https://www.thecancerpod.com Have an idea or question? Email us: thecancerpod@gmail.com Join our growing community, we are @TheCancerPod on: InstagramTwitterFacebookLinkedIn THANK YOU for listening!

Joint pain is common, but that doesn't mean you have to suffer! There are so many natural remedies to control and relieve the discomfort. Whether you are preventing joint pain during treatment or you have ongoing arthritis-type pain, Tina & Leah talk about ways to find relief. We even tackle the tough-to-treat joint pain from aromatase inhibitors (yes, there are things you can do!). Sometimes, the answer is already in your kitchen! Links to prior episodes we mention: Turmeric Brain Fog Sammy Peterson, RD, CSO Rebecca Katz- nutrition, recipes, etc.- her website and her cookbooks. Aromatase Inhibitors and Vitamin D in your blood. Exercise to reduce the joint pain from aromatase inhibitors. Community acupuncture can keep your cost for acupuncture way down. Support the show Our website: https://www.thecancerpod.com Have an idea or question? Email us: thecancerpod@gmail.com Join our growing community, we are @TheCancerPod on: InstagramTwitterFacebookLinkedIn THANK YOU for listening!

We've all heard that "the dose makes the poison." Nowhere is this a more apt saying than with nutmeg. Hey, don't get us wrong, just a wee bit of nutmeg can help you tolerate some of those holiday food indulgences! Nutmeg is warming, has anti-parasite and pain-relieving properties, and can be used topically for pain relief. Join us as we touch on some history and give you our takes on nutmeg: the spice, the medicine, the poison. Oh, and go ahead and share this episode with someone who would enjoy it! Maybe a friend who's a chef or a baker? Did you know that nutmeg was a commodity so precious it was traded for Manhattan? From serving as a sleep aid (insomniacs chickens?) to its pain-relieving effects, nutmeg has lots of potential as a medicinal spice. Just remember, while nutmeg may enhance your holiday season, moderation is key, and it's always advisable to consult a professional before using higher doses of nutmeg as medicine. Books we mention: (If you purchase, we make a small commission at no cost to you.) Jill Stansbury's Botanical Medicine for Herbalists (formulas and how to) A Modern Herbal, the Maude Grieves Herbal Book (originally printed in .... Recipes: Medieval Cookies from Atlas Obscura Golden Milk Recipe from our blog MEDICINAL USE: Anti-diarrheal and Sleep inducing effects Reduction of colon cancer (in rats) Traditional Users: A Modern Herbal by Maude Grieves - botanical.com (FREE!) Ayurvedic perspective of nutmeg TOXICITY: Brain damage (in rats) from nutmeg German Commission E Report on Nutmeg Case reports of toxicity over 10 years (Illinois Poison Center) Support the show Our website: https://www.thecancerpod.com Have an idea or question? Email us: thecancerpod@gmail.com Join our growing community, we are @TheCancerPod on: InstagramTwitterFacebookLinkedIn THANK YOU for listening!

'Tis the season! Pine trees are everywhere! From vitamin C to turpentine (yes, the paint thinner!), pine trees give us a lot to talk about. Listen in as Tina & Leah chat about the uses and cautions of the ubiquitous pine tree in this holiday minisode. And don't forget... hit those 5 stars and send this episode to someone you think would enjoy it! Thanks for listening!! Memorial Sloan-Kettering's summary of pine bark A lovely read on the medicinal uses of pine (and a recipe) The science behind Forest Bathing- what it does, how it does it Pine essential oil components induce sleep (technical paper) Pycnogenol: WebMD's take on it Turpentine's history in medicine Support the show Our website: https://www.thecancerpod.com Have an idea or question? Email us: thecancerpod@gmail.com Join our growing community, we are @TheCancerPod on: InstagramTwitterFacebookLinkedIn THANK YOU for listening!

It's that time of year! Cranberries are in season! There's a good chance you'll sit down to some cranberry dishes or drinks during the holidays. Maybe this episode can be fodder for conversation? ("Yes, Uncle Frank, those pics are... something. That chicken nugget really does look like Elvis. A-hem, how about this cranberry sauce? Did you know... ") In this holiday minisode, Tina & Leah chat about the history, the culinary, and the medicinal uses of cranberries. So, what are you waiting for? Hit that play button! And remember to give us a 5-star review. :) (We appreciate it!) 26 ways to use a bag of cranberries (warning: not all of them are naturopath-approved) The Cranberry Blitzen Mocktail Recipe (by Leah!) The Festive Cranberry Shrub Leah mentions in the episode Orange-cranberry, gluten-free biscotti recipe (by our former guest, Amy Rothenberg, ND) More technical info on cranberries and their effects: Sloan-Kettering review of cranberries as medicine Review of phytochemicals in cranberries (proanthocyanidins and such) Cranberries for Urinary Tract Infections(UTIs)- the latest Cochran Review (2023) The mechanism of UTI prevention Support the show Our website: https://www.thecancerpod.com Have an idea or question? Email us: thecancerpod@gmail.com Join our growing community, we are @TheCancerPod on: InstagramTwitterFacebookLinkedIn THANK YOU for listening!

Everyone has heard a myth or two about cancer (hello, sugar!) The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) published eight "Myths and Facts About Cancer." Some of the myths they brought up were ones we've heard from patients, others...kind of cringey. We thought we should tackle them one by one. Not surprisingly, there is often a vein of truth that keeps these so-called myths alive. Tina and Leah have decades of experience as naturopathic physicians and have sifted through the data, so you don't have to! Just hit "play" and enjoy the show! We promise it's entertaining, at the very least. ASCO's 8 Myths and Facts About Cancer Spider Legs in Bubble Gum? Oh, that's a myth, alright. Link to the truth re: spider legs in bubble gum. Link to our previous episode on sugar-- E58: Does Sugar Feed Cancer? Support the show Our website: https://www.thecancerpod.com Have an idea or question? Email us: thecancerpod@gmail.com Join our growing community, we are @TheCancerPod on: InstagramTwitterFacebookLinkedIn THANK YOU for listening!

Herbal medicine is part of our daily lives. Coffee, tea, soup, salads... we are already consuming plants, and many are medicinal. Walking in nature and gardening, these are also aspects of plant medicine. Listen to the latest episode of The Cancer Pod, where Tina and Leah chat with Chanchal Cabrera, MSc, FNMIH, RHT, (RH) AHG , whose career as a medical herbalist with a specialty in holistic oncology stretches over 35 years. You’re in for a treat when you tune in to hear the inspiring conversation about the power of plant medicine. Order a copy of Chanchal Cabrera’s book! Holistic Cancer Care: An Herbal Approach (2023) The book that inspired Tina and Leah: The Way of Herbs by Michael Tierra Learn how to integrate herbs into your life from Chanchal - Shift Network Wise Woman Herbals: Reclaim Your Wisdom Small company with impeccable quality! Organic formulations that work! Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Support the show Our website: https://www.thecancerpod.com Have an idea or question? Email us: thecancerpod@gmail.com Join our growing community, we are @TheCancerPod on: InstagramTwitterFacebookLinkedIn THANK YOU for listening!

We talked with Dr. Lise Alschuler about the three most important things to reduce cancer risk and its recurrence. With almost 30 years as a clinician, as well as a cancer survivor herself, Dr. Alschuler is an authority on the topic. Join Tina & Leah in this not-to-be-missed episode. Where else will you find three naturopathic physicians giving out reliable advice on cancer risk reduction? More about Dr. Lise Alschuler Support the show Our website: https://www.thecancerpod.com Have an idea or question? Email us: thecancerpod@gmail.com Join our growing community, we are @TheCancerPod on: InstagramTwitterFacebookLinkedIn THANK YOU for listening!

Does a higher BMI sometimes lead to better outcomes? Is BMI what we should be using to measure obesity? Whether you are considered obese, overweight, normal weight, or underweight... your BMI can be misleading. Tina & Leah delve into the details and give you some advice to achieve the ultimate goal: living your best life as long as you possibly can! Join us for free to get the links we refer to in this episode! Support the show Our website: https://www.thecancerpod.com Have an idea or question? Email us: thecancerpod@gmail.com Join our growing community, we are @TheCancerPod on: InstagramTwitterFacebookLinkedIn THANK YOU for listening!

Some things supporting wellness are a great idea — if you're not in the middle of cancer treatment! Tina and Leah talk about some good-for-you, healthy, and usually risk-free things you should avoid while getting active treatment. Avoiding anything that may undermine your treatment success is a top priority, so don't miss this one! Support the show Our website: https://www.thecancerpod.com Have an idea or question? Email us: thecancerpod@gmail.com Join our growing community, we are @TheCancerPod on: InstagramTwitterFacebookLinkedIn THANK YOU for listening!

Time flies! Before you know it, another year's gone by! We've hit some hot topics this past year, and the info just keeps coming! So, Tina & Leah plucked from the headlines and updated some prior episodes with the newest info. They also look to the future of cancer diagnosis (will ants someday be involved?) and tackle a listener question about mushrooms. Join us as we learn (and laugh!) together. Support the show Our website: https://www.thecancerpod.com Have an idea or question? Email us: thecancerpod@gmail.com Join our growing community, we are @TheCancerPod on: InstagramTwitterFacebookLinkedIn THANK YOU for listening!

Green tea is a hugely popular drink and supplement. But are its health claims warranted? In this episode, Tina & Leah bring you the facts about green tea's benefits. As usual, there are some unique considerations regarding cancer. So tune in to find out if this anti-oxidant-rich tea should be a high priority on your to-do list! Memorial Sloan-Kettering summary on green tea ASCO position paper on green tea Bottled versus Brewed green tea Effects on Cancer stem cells Topical green tea preventing radiation-induced rash Review on high doses and liver toxicity Scientific opinion on the toxicity of green tea Decaf green tea, weight loss, and the COMT gene Green tea phytosome as an add-on for weight loss The paper referred to in our Moment of Woo Support the show Our website: https://www.thecancerpod.com Have an idea or question? Email us: thecancerpod@gmail.com Join our growing community, we are @TheCancerPod on: InstagramTwitterFacebookLinkedIn THANK YOU for listening!

Adaptogens are all the rage, making their way into popular pick-me-up products (looking at you, Monster energy drinks). Many different plants are adaptogens (Ashwaganda, Ginseng, Rhodiola, etc), but should these plants really be taken willy-nilly? Tina & Leah give you the low down on adaptogens, including their uses, side effects, and some contraindications. What's an adaptogen? "a natural substance considered to help the body adapt to stress and to exert a normalizing effect upon bodily processes. A well-known example is ginseng." Tune in to learn more! Learn more about Ginseng Technical paper on Asian and American ginsengs Schisandra Herbalgram from American Botanical Council The difference between red and white Panax ginseng ASCO study on ginseng and cancer-related fatigue American (Wisconsin) ginseng from the source Support the show Our website: https://www.thecancerpod.com Have an idea or question? Email us: thecancerpod@gmail.com Join our growing community, we are @TheCancerPod on: InstagramTwitterFacebookLinkedIn THANK YOU for listening!