Restorative Cancer Therapy:
Dr.Bali’s unique approach to cancer care is garnering the attention of oncology circles globally. Aggressively researching the most effective therapies, Dr. Bali hopes to provide patient’s with only the most beneficial and efficacious therapeutic options. Applying novel formulations using time proven traditional wisdom with conventional evidence based medicine, the goal is to achieve control of the cancer disease process and to maintain a healthy state of life. We hope to accomplish this by using potent natural cancer fighting compounds while restoring complete order within the body’s internal terrain so to optimize the body’s natural ability to fight off cancer. Furthermore, we work with the patient to educate and equip them with the tools necessary to enjoy long term remission. Our therapies can also work to complement chemotherapy and decrease the associated side effects. Trained in many therapeutic modalities, Dr. Bali hopes to provide comprehensive cancer care by incorporating IV Therapies, Nutrition, Botanical Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurvedic Medicine, and Lifestyle Counselling.
Nutrition (Orthomolecular Medicine and Diet):
The importance of high quality nutrition cannot be overstated in the fight against cancer. Cancer patients who have high nutritional status are more likely to fight off infections, recover from illness quicker, and are better able to tolerate chemotherapy and side effects. With inadequate nutritional intake, many will be challenged with low energy, slower recovery time, and depressed mood. Furthermore, directly battling cancer through dietary measures can be achieved by incorporating anti-cancer compounds such as antioxidant and phytochemicals into foods. Using individually tailored nutritional plans with high vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, antioxidants and phytochemicals, the body is able to build up the reserves to effectively fight cancer. The orthomolecular approach suggests a comprehensive nutrient program that employs high doses of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids to create optimum nutritional content for the body. This must be combined with a balanced food intake to assist in boosting the body’s own natural defense mechanism. Time is taken to carefully design the orthomolecular approach for each patient so that it does not interfere with the standard oncology approaches of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.
I.V. Therapy:
Providing intravenous vitamins (especially Vitamin C) and mineral is a very beneficial treatment whendoing complementary cancer care.
What is INT?
Intravenous therapy or IV therapy is a way to provide substances into the bloodstream through a vein.
Giving intravenous nutrients allows us to get vital vitamins and minerals directly into the blood stream.With INT we can bypass the digestive system and any other barrier to nutrient absorption. This is
especially important in cancer care because as a result of the disease and/or chemotherapy the ability toabsorb nutrients becomes significantly impaired.
How INT given?
The Toronto Naturopathic Health Clinic uses a customized formulation in a 500 mL I.V. bag of sterile water. Most IV bagsare made with high doses of Vitamin C and then are tailored depending on particular need of each patient. The I.V. bag is hung on a pole, and the patient sits in a comfortable chair. A small needle and catheter is inserted into a vein in your hand or arm to deliver the I.V. treatment. The treatments are painless, and the formulation is infused slowly over a period of 1 to 2.5 hours, depending on thetreatment prescribed and your comfort level.
What are the benefits of INT?
-Improves nutritional status when nutrient absorption is impaired due to chemotherapy or
cancer progression.
-Provides direct nutrition when appetite may be very low
-High dose IV Vitamin C has been shown to kill cancer cells, inhibit tumor growth, promote chemotherapy effectiveness, and enhance immune function.
What is the frequency of treatment?
Cancer patients may vary in the number of treatments needed, but most require infusions 1 to 3 times
per week. Treatment is ongoing as dictated by your individualized program. INT is a safe, effective, and
minimally invasive therapy that is well tolerated by most people. It carries a very low risk of serious
adverse side effects. We have successfully administered many of these treatments with minimal side
effects.
Botanical Medicine:
Botanicals can be used in integrative cancer therapy in the 6 following ways (Integrative Oncology, Donald Abrams and Andrew Weil):
- In primary prevention of cancer in patients at high risk for malignancy with antioxidants and immunomodulators
- As phytopharmaceuticals with direct anti-cancer effects
- As adjuvants to improve the cytotoxic activity of cancer drugs
- As immunomodulators to enhance endogenous immunological anti-cancer activity
- To treat radiation-related reactions and fatigue
- To mitigate the hematological, neurological, and gastroenterological toxicities of chemo therapy drugs
“Herbal medicines are the original source of some of our most powerful U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved cytotoxic chemotherapy agents. In the West, drug-based chemotherapy is more than 50 years old. Natural products have been major molecular structural resources for drug discovery. Among the 520 new drugs approved in the United States between 1983 and 1994, 157 were natural products or derived from natural products and more than 60% of antibacterials and anticancer drugs have originated from natural products.” - Botanical Medicine chapter in Integrative Oncology
Ayurvedic Medicine:
Ayurveda is a 5000 year old system that has its origins in the Vedic Culture of India. Tibetan and Traditional Chinese medicine both have their roots in Ayurveda. Ayurvedic medicine may provide a range of potential benefits to people affected by cancer depending upon the person and the intervention. Benefits may include anti-inflammation, immune support, antioxidant activity, and stress reduction, among others. Tumeric is awell-known ayurvedic herb with anti-cancer activity and other health benefits.
Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture:
There are many ways to approaching cancer, as both chemical and energy imbalances can occur. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a medical system that has been practiced for a millenia. It uses the concept of Qi, a fundamental life force that guides and controls all life processes. An imbalance in Qi leads to a diseased state such as cancer. Using the main branches of Chinese medicine one can restore balance within the body. Therefore using chinese herb, acupuncture, qi gong, tai chi, reikhi, and massage one can correct disharmony. Furthermore, the National Institute of Health consensus panel concluded that acupuncture can cause “multiple biological responses, local and distal, mediated mainly by sensory neurons within the central nervous system.” For cancer patients, acupuncture is useful to boost the immune system, and can support and improve quality of life. Studies have demonstrated the tremendous benefits of acupuncture in managing pain. Also, studies have been done on the effects of acupuncture for symptoms such as dry mouth, weight loss, poor appetite, night sweats, hot flushes,anxiety, depression, dizziness, and extreme fatigue in cancer patients.
Psychological Counselling (Mind, Body and Spirit):
Treating cancer requires more than providing the body with the physical tools to defeat the disease. The Mind-Body aspect to healing cannot be neglected in the healing process. Thus, It is vital to harness the spiritual and emotional powers of healing. A relatively new field of pyschoneuroimmunology has brought to life the important interaction between emotional state, nervous system function, and the immune system. This field has emphasized and proven the long held belief that the human mind is profoundly influential in one’s state of health. It has been well established that our moods, attitudes, and perceptions are intrinsically connected to immune functioning. Therefore, if we can tune perceptions to having a healthy, happy and optimistic outlook, we can induce the immune system to function optimally to fight off cancer. Therefore, counseling may help to boost the body’s ability to fight off the disease process, or simply to increase a greater sense of well-being, and bring about calmness in the face of calamity and focus to the important things of life (How to prevent and treat cancer with Natural Medicine, Dr. Michael McMurray). Elements of the counseling program with our Naturopathic Doctor and on-sight psychologist include: Relaxation and imagery training, spiritual meditation, stress management, networking to community resources and support groups, educational resources, positive affirmations, cognitive behavioural therapy, and humor therapy
Also Being Offered:
Massage Therapy, Qi-Gong
Coming Soon:
Tibetan medicine, Yoga for the Immune System.
Sources:
Integrative Oncology, Donald Abrams and Andrew Weil http://nccam.nih.gov/health/ayurveda/introduction.htm How to prevent and treat cancer with Natural medicine, Dr. Michael McMurray