While cancer treatment saves lives, it can seriously compromise the immune system of the body. Among other treatments, radiation and chemotherapy can reduce bone marrow activity, influencing the white blood cell count fighting against diseases. Patients thus become prone to infections, which can complicate healing and postpone treatment. Medical treatments come first, but a very important complementing strategy is naturally supporting your immune system during treatment. At IOCI, we advocate an all-encompassing approach that gives our patients knowledge to strengthen their natural defences. It's important to monitor for Early signs of cancer during treatment, as a weakened immune system might also mask other underlying issues.

 

How Cancer Treatment Affects Your Immune System

 

Your immune system is your body's natural defence mechanism, a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs working together to protect you from hostile invaders including fungus, viruses, and bacteria. Designed to target fast dividing cancer cells, cancer treatments also affect healthy, fast growing cells including those in the bone marrow in charge of producing immune cells.

This can result in:

• Common and major side effect known as neutropenia results from a dangerously low count of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell vital for combat of bacterial and fungal infections.
• Lymphopenia: A drop in lymphocytes, another kind of white blood cell crucial for general immune monitoring and viral infection fight.

Weakening in general: Together with the physical demands of treatment, cancer itself can cause stress that further suppresses the immune system, leaving patients tired and more vulnerable to disease.

Recognizing Symptoms of cancer in men and women can sometimes be confused with treatment side effects, emphasizing the need for clear communication with your medical team about any changes in your health.

 

Natural Techniques to Strengthen Your Immune System

 

While you should always follow the recommendations of your medical team and report any infection symptoms right away, several natural approaches can strengthen your immune system throughout cancer treatment:

• Sort Nutrient-Dense Foods (Onco-Nutrition) first. Fundamentals are a balanced diet. Centre on:
• Essential for both building and repairing immune cells (chicken, fish, eggs, legumes, nuts), lean proteins
• Particularly vibrant fruits and vegetables abound in vitamins (A, C, E), minerals (zinc, selenium), and antioxidants that boost the immune system. Try a range of hues.
• Whole grains give energy and fibre, which supports gut health—a fundamental component of immunity.
• Found in olive oil, avocados, and fatty fish, healthy fats help to lower inflammation.
• Fermented foods including yoghurt (with live cultures), kefir, and kimchi can help a good gut microbiome, which is strongly connected with immune health.
• Hydration: To enable your body to run as it should, sip on lots of water all day.
• If your doctor approves, light exercise including walking, gentle yoga (as discussed previously), or stretching can increase immune cell activity, improve circulation, and help to lower fatigue. Pay attention to your body and prevent overdoing it.
• Enough sleep is absolutely vital for immune recovery. Try for 7 to 9 hours of nightly quality sleep. Establish a soothing evening ritual to raise standards of sleep hygiene.
• Chronic stress can weaken the immune system. Add stress-reducing strategies including mindfulness and meditation; even brief sessions can have an impact.
• Deep breathing exercises help to relax the nervous system.
• Mild Interests: Participate in leisurely activities you like.
• Excellent Hygiene Standards: Although not "natural," these are crucial to avoid infections in low immune system:
• regular hand washings.
• Steering clear of packed areas, particularly in flu and cold seasons.
• Considering food safety (cleaning produce, thoroughly cooking meat).

It's important to remember that natural remedies for cancer should always be discussed with your oncology team to ensure they don't interfere with your ongoing treatment. Your health and safety are paramount.

At IOCI, we advocate a comprehensive approach to cancer treatment whereby medical knowledge is combined with supportive therapies to enable you to participate actively in your recovery. One of the main components of this path is definitely naturally strengthening your immune system.

Consult us at any of our locations—across IOCI Noida, Greater Noida, Mumbai, Indore, Aurangabad, Agartala, Saharanpur, Kanpur and Jodhpur.