When undergoing chemotherapy these treatments are usually given with a break in between to allow the body, or more correctly the white blood cells of the immune system to recover. What you will almost certainly not be told is there are natural ways to boost and support the immune system and by doing so will not only help with the side effects of chemotherapy but will also help in fighting the cancer itself.

One of the many side effects of chemotherapy is that it weakens your immune system which is our repair system that keeps us health. So your main focus when undergoing chemotherapy should be to support this system by making some changes, especially with your food choices. There isn’t a drug or a pill that will strengthen it but only naturally ways to achieve that.

One of the many advantages of looking after the immune system during chemotherapy is there will be fewer consequences from the many side effects this treatment has. Also since all cancers are first caused by an immune system that wasn’t functioning properly and allowed cancer cells to develop, doesn’t it make sense to learn about it and what you can do to assist it?

Firstly avoid doing anything that further weakens the immune system so cut down on alcohol, give up smoking which includes avoiding passive smoke, eat less dietary fats that are in fatty meats and butter, cheese and cream. Don’t use chemicals such as fly sprays, hair dyes and personal care products, especially under arm antiperspirants. All of these will place an extra burden on it.

Sugar needs a special mention as today it’s found in many of our items we buy at the supermarket. Eating and drinking regular amounts of refined sugar in the form of fizzy drinks, cakes, biscuits and ice cream does nothing to improve our health and has been shown to have a significantly suppressive effect on the immune system. Also many of our food items in packets and cans have added refined sugar so it’s important to read labels.

For the immune system to function efficiently it needs muscular activity and the reasons are to circulate the lymph, which is the lymphatic fluid within this system. It doesn’t have a pump like the heart but relies on everyday activity or some kind of exercise for it to work. Simple exercise like walking greatly stimulates the flow of the lymphatic fluid which plays a key role in helping the fight against cancer.

One of the easiest ways to boost the immune system is through nutrition and it’s all about making the correct choices with your everyday food. Always choose food that is as close to their natural state as possible, such as whole grain products, brown rice and many of the freshly grown and in season fruit and vegetables. Always choose a variety of colours from the dark greens as in broccoli to the reds which are tomatoes and red peppers, orange which are carrots and citrus fruit. All the freshly grown fruits and vegetables are a rich source of antioxidants which play an important role in boosting the immune system.

There are several vitamins that are important in both supporting the immune system and to fight cancer and they are vitamin A which is found in oily fish, sweet potatoes, broccoli and eggs. Another vitamin which we need everyday is vitamin C and is easily found in berry fruit and citrus fruit, kiwi fruit and tomatoes. Vitamin E is also very beneficial and it’s in whole grains, sunflower seeds, nuts and leafy green vegetables.

This built in system we all have is a complex and poorly understood defence mechanism, but this system can support the body through treatments such as chemotherapy so that the side effects of these treatments are minimised.