If you are feeling fatigued due to cancer treatments or tired and wired due to stress here are the keys to nourishing sustained energy and vitality.

Eat Enough Protein Remember that a lot of people who try to eat a healthier diet cut out or cut down on red meat and animal proteins which is a good idea as eating a primarily plant based diet does reduce cancer risk.  But a protein poor diet puts you at risk as well.

Be sure you are getting plenty of protein daily from healthy sources.  At least 60 grams daily (3 4 oz servings) or more if you are undergoing chemotherapy or have lost weight and muscle.  (Be sure to check with your doctor first

Manage Inflammation Excess Inflammation can make you tired and increases your risk of cancer heart disease diabetes and depression

Support normal inflammation control by cooking with tumeric and eating an anti-inflammatory diet that includes healthy fats and oils and plenty of fresh vegetables

Consider enhancing normal inflammation function with supplements such as Curcumin Omega 3 fish oils (EPA DHA) Milk Thistle Ginger Ganoderma Feverfew Sulphoraphanes (check with your doctor first)

Avoid Toxic Exposures and Reduce Your Body Burden: Do  A Cleanse (only under the supervision of a professional health care provider and with your doctor's approval and not DURING your treatment. Do consider a supervised cleanse AFTER your toxic treatments).  Both during and after cancer treatments you want to cultivate the lifelong habit of reducing your exposures to all toxic substances.  This applies to all of us! Toxic exposures are the number one cause of increasing rates of cancer and fatigue.

If your body is carrying a burden of toxic environmental chemicals (BPA pthalates solvents volatile chemicals excess drug use preservatives colorings pesticides chemical dyes chemicals from cosmetics and body care products) or heavy metals (lead cadmium mercury arsenic for example) this could be at the root of fatigue.

Ask your health care provider to test you for heavy metals and assess you for toxic exposures

Examine your home your diet your work place your hobbies your personal care products your garden as the source of toxic exposures.  Start transforming your home and work place into chemical free toxin free safe environments.  Do a medically supervised whole body cleanse every spring and fall or even better once per season (four times per year)

Avoid Exposures to Allergens Are there foods you are eating that you that cause immune reactions? Find out.  Inhalants such Dust pollen grasses animal hair and molds as well foods such as wheat gluten cow's milk dairy products eggs and soy and well as many environmental chemicals and food additiives can trigger allergic reactions that contribute to fatigue.

Move Are you too sedentary? Lack of physical activity can actually make  you tired? You need to move to oxygenate your body and brain and get your circulation going so that your kidneys and liver filter toxins and your digestive tract and bowels eliminate normally. (check with your doctor first)

Make Sure You Get Enough Magnesium and Potassium  Both minerals are depleted during stress and during chemotherapy radiation and surgery.  Unsweetened coconut water is a good source.  All green leafy vegetables are rich in both minerals.  If you don't eat 8-10 servings of vegetables daily consider supplementation with a concentrated organic greens powder and a magnesium supplement.

Although both oranges and bananas are rich in potassium I generally recommend other sources due to their high glycemic qualities leading to higher blood sugar and insulin levels.  It is important to eat low glycemic low sugar foods which trigger the hormone insulin which promotes tumor growth. Lower blood sugar lower blood insulin is essential to an anti-cancer physiology.

Dr. Nalini Chilkov L.Ac. O.M.D. is a leading edge authority in the field of Integrative Cancer Care Cancer Prevention and Immune Enhancement. She is the Founder of IntegrativeCancerAnswers.com where she offers online programs and resources that empower and transform. Dr. Chilkov brings over 30 years of clinical experience combining the best of Modern Functional Medicine with the ancient wisdom of Traditional Oriental and Natural Healing. She is a highly respected expert in her field a frequent speaker at conferences educational institutions and a trusted resource to the media. Dr Chilkov serves on the Scientific Advisory Board of the Mederi Foundation which serves to promote a holistic integrative approach to healing through education and clinical research programs with an emphasis on providing primary healthcare to those with cancer and chronic illnesses. http://doctornalini.com

Attend Designs for Health's Seminar on "Integrative Cancer Care" with Dr. Nalini Chilkov

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