Created by Deb Brewer
Stage 4 Cancer-Slayer
Harvard Medical School Executive Education
Lifestyle Medicine Nutrition Certified

© Deb Brewer / ReachVitality

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Deb Brewer
ReachVitality
Email: deb@reachvitality.com
Phone: 617-429-0600

Cancer is not a single disease, but a process where the body’s normal systems of cell activity control break down. Normally, your DNA, tumor suppressor genes, repair systems, and immune defenses work together to regulate cell growth, fix mistakes, and destroy cells that don’t belong. Cancer begins when enough of these safeguards fail. The result is that abnormal cells start dividing uncontrollably, avoid being destroyed, and eventually form tumors and may spread to other parts of the body.

Breakdowns that are required for any cancer to survive and grow (any or all):

• Genetic mutations in key genes (tumor suppressors or oncogenes)
• Failure of tumor suppressors (like TP53 or BRCA)
• DNA repair breakdown (so errors accumulate)
• Avoidance of apoptosis (damaged cells refuse to die)
• Immune evasion (at least partly — though some cancers are more “invisible” than others)

Not all cancers use every mechanism to the same extent:

• Oncogene activation → Common in many cancers, but which oncogenes are active (e.g., KRAS, HER2) depends on the cancer type.
• Angiogenesis (blood vessel growth) → Critical for solid tumors (breast, lung, colon, sarcoma), but less relevant in blood cancers like leukemia.
• Metastasis → Not all cancers metastasize. Some stay localized for years or forever, but some can metastasize which means they move to other parts of the body.
• Hormone dependence → Some cancers (breast, prostate, endometrial) are fueled by hormones, but this isn’t universal.

Our bodies are equipped with powerful defense systems designed to prevent cancer. These systems work together to repair DNA/broken genes, control cell growth, and destroy abnormal cells before they can take hold. Cancer only develops when enough of these defenses are compromised or broken.

• Tumor Suppressor Genes – Act as gatekeepers and one of the most critical defenses, pausing cell division, repairing damage, or triggering cell death when a cell becomes too abnormal.
• DNA Repair Enzymes – Constantly scan for and fix DNA errors, preventing mutations from accumulating.
• Apoptosis (Programmed Cell Death) – A built-in “self-destruct” system that removes cells that are beyond repair.
• Autophagy & Stress Responses – Clear out damaged components in cells and respond to oxidative stress to keep cells healthy.
• Immune System – Natural killer (NK) cells, cytotoxic T-cells, and macrophages patrol the body, identifying and destroying cells that look abnormal or cancerous.
• Whole Body Alkalinity – A chemical, internal environment rich in oxygen that curbs cancer’s ability to progress and strengthens the body’s natural defenses, allowing cells to function optimally.

• Inherited, or Germline Mutations – Some people are born with mutations in key tumor suppressor or DNA repair genes (like TP53 or BRCA1/2), which weakens defenses from the start.
• Chronic, Unhealthy Lifestyle Choices – Poor nutrition, smoking, alcohol use, inactivity, chronic stress, and lack of restorative sleep increase oxidative stress, create an acidic chemical environment, weaken and break DNA/gene tumor suppressors, and suppress immune, apoptosis, autophagy & stress defenses.
• Somatic Mutations – These mutations occur during a person’s life from DNA/gene damage due to chronic unhealthy lifestyle choices and environmental toxins, and accumulate in specific cells, disrupting their ability to regulate growth.
• Environmental Toxins – Exposure to pollutants, radiation, chemicals, or carcinogens directly damages DNA/genes and overwhelms the body’s repair pathways.
• Hormonal Imbalances – Excess estrogen, cortisol, or other hormone shifts can stimulate abnormal cell growth, create acidity, and suppress immune function.
• Chronic Inflammation – Long-term inflammation creates a chemical environment that creates acidity and damages DNA, and silences tumor suppressor genes.

When Deb was diagnosed with cancer, she said to herself “I had a feeling this might happen.” Most of her life she had an unbalanced relationship with food, and an addiction to sugar. She had a hunch that this lifelong problem was a contributing factor.

Her unbalanced relationship with food started when she was a child. Watching and listening her grandmother insult her mother about her curvy body shape began a negative self image thinking pattern. Social pressures led to disordered eating that started in college, where she became afraid to eat ‘real’ food, and most often chose quick fix sugar and processed food choices for sources of energy. As she got older, her eating patterns improved, but she often found herself falling back into bad eating patterns to cope with professional and personal stress.

Deb’s cravings for sugar and processed foods were being dictated by Candida overgrowth — a yeast that normally lives harmlessly in the body but when it overgrows due to a high sugar and carbohydrate diet, it can dictate even more sugar cravings – making it difficult to overcome.

Deb was also a workaholic. Stress drove her life. She also had years of toxic, personal relationships which promoted more stress – adding to her weakness against cancer.

Over time, these unhealthy patterns broke Deb’s critical DNA/genes inside her cells that are designed to kill cancer cells. This is called a somatic mutation – when your genes break within your lifetime due to unhealthy lifestyle choices.

Deb’s cancer trigger came from a sclerotherapy vein treatment that injured her leg, as well as leaving a possible carcinogenic solution in the broken vein, resulting in a bump which grew year after year. The bump was misdiagnosed for 3 years. The injury to her vein, combined with her vulnerable body chemistry, allowed a 4“ sarcoma cancer tumor to grow in her leg.

With a successful leg surgery behind her, doctors said that her cancer ‘was gone’. However, Deb’s life continued to be stressful both personally and professionally. She went back to eating sugar to cope with the stress, didn’t get much exercise, and pulled back from socializing. 8 months after the leg tumor was removed, the same sarcoma metastasized to her lungs.

Notably, at the time, she was not a candidate for chemotherapy or radiation.

Deb later learned that if she had followed a Lifestyle Medicine approach even half the time during her life, her body’s chemistry would have been unwelcoming to cancer, her tumor suppressor genes might have remained intact, and her immune system could have destroyed cancer cells before they took hold.

Deb’s unhealthy lifestyle choices weakened and broke her body’s core defense systems responsible for suppressing cancer. Here are the causes and the effects:

• Lack of nutrition → Depleted immunity, inflammation, DNA/gene & enzyme damage, acidic chemistry
• Chronic stress → Acidic chemistry, inflammation, DNA/gene & enzyme damage, canceled apoptosis
• Intermittent alcohol use → Acidic chemistry, inflammation, DNA/gene damage*
  *The risk rises with frequency and amount consumed
• Sugar addiction & Candida overgrowth → DNA/gene & enzyme damage, inflammation, canceled apoptosis, acidic chemistry
• Reduced positive social connections → Acidic chemistry, indirect DNA/gene damage from stress

85% of the time, Deb follows a targeted 6-Pillar Lifestyle Medicine plan:

• Promoting balanced nutrition
• Targeted supplementation
• Reduced stress
• Restorative sleep
• Limited use of risky substances
• Exercise/movement
• Positive social connections

Deb has discovered a way to live in balance — one that has had a powerful effect on her cancer journey. 15% of the time, she saves risky substances like alcohol, sugar, or processed foods for times of celebration with family and friends, making these moments joyful exceptions rather than daily habits. 85% of the time, she focuses on healthy cooking, accountability through pH testing, and a 6-Pillar Lifestyle Medicine routine that supports her body’s natural defenses and targeted anti-cancer supplements.

Deb’s has combined her learnings from preeminent homeopaths, naturopaths, research, and certification in Lifestyle Medicine from Harvard Medical School Executive Education, to create the ReachVitality 6-Pillar Lifestyle Medicine Program. Her goal is to empower people facing cancer—or seeking to prevent it—by providing the knowledge and tools they need to take control of their health, and reach vitality.

As we briefly discussed earlier, there are two kinds of genetic mutations.

• Inherited or Germline Mutations – Some people are born with mutations in key tumor suppressor or DNA repair genes (like TP53 or BRCA1/2), which weakens defenses from the start.
• Somatic Mutations – These mutations occur during a person’s life from DNA/gene damage due to chronic unhealthy lifestyle choices and environmental toxins, and accumulate in specific cells, disrupting their ability to regulate growth.

Whether your cancer involves a germline mutation (inherited) or a somatic mutation (acquired during your lifetime), the ReachVitality 6 Pillars of Lifestyle Medicine Program is specifically designed to help cancer patients take back control of their health. While genetic changes may influence risk, lifestyle factors strongly affect how those genes express themselves — meaning you have the power to influence your body’s internal environment and long-term outcomes.

Through this program, you’ll learn practical strategies to mitigate cancer progression and reduce the likelihood of recurrence by supporting whole-body balance and repair.

• Nourish your body with anti-inflammatory, alkaline-supportive foods
• Improve oxygenation and circulation
• Strengthen immune function and cellular repair mechanisms
• Reduce oxidative stress and inflammation — key drivers of mutation activity
• Support restorative sleep and stress resilience to optimize healing
• Avoid environmental and lifestyle triggers that fuel disease

All cancers share the same core breakdowns: gene mutations, tumor suppressor failure, repair errors, cell death avoidance, and immune evasion. The good news is that these shared pathways also highlight where you can strengthen your defenses and regain control.

Lifestyle choices shape your body’s susceptibility to chronic illnesses like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Your first line of defense is how you live each day. Even if you’ve inherited a germline genetic mutation, such as BRCA1/2 or TP53, cancer is not inevitable. These mutations may raise risk, but research shows lifestyle strongly influences whether they ever get activated.

• Nutrition & targeted supplementation
• Regular movement
• Restorative sleep
• Stress reduction
• Positive social connections, and
• Avoidance of risky substances

…you strengthen core breakdowns and promote DNA/mutation repair, support immune surveillance, apoptosis, and create an internal chemistry far less favorable to cancer growth.

ReachVitality’s Lifestyle Medicine Anti-Cancer Program is built upon:

• Deb Brewer’s personal Stage 4 cancer experience including genetic testing and research at Mass General Brigham
• Deb’s certification in Harvard Medical School’s Executive Education Nutritional Lifestyle Medicine Program
• Research from the American College of Lifestyle Medicine
• Lifestyle medicine nutrition and supplement programming from Dr. Mark Mincolla, PhD

Each Lifestyle Medicine Pillar is designed to protect DNA, support mutation correction, promote alkalinity, strengthen immunity, and reduce toxins in the body — helping to correct core breakdowns and create the healthiest internal environment possible.

Whether you’re navigating a current cancer diagnosis or seeking to lower your risk, ReachVitality begins with you. We take time to understand your unique health history, lifestyle, and goals, then use this foundation to create a targeted Lifestyle Medicine program.

A key starting point is often genetic saliva or tumor testing, which can:

• Identify inherited or acquired mutations influencing your body’s defenses
• Reveal potential cancer risk factors
• Provide insight into how your body responds to stress, nutrition, and repair

• Nutrition & Targeted Supplementation → fueling cellular repair and resilience
• Movement & Exercise → strengthening immunity and improving balance
• Restorative Sleep → supporting repair and hormonal regulation
• Stress Reduction → lowering inflammation and protecting DNA
• Positive Social Connections → boosting immune health and well-being
• Avoidance of Risky Substances → reducing exposures that weaken defenses

This approach creates an internal environment less favorable to cancer while giving you greater confidence, peace of mind, and control over your health.

The ReachVitality Program is rooted in Deb Brewer’s personal and successful battle against Stage 4 cancer. The methods complement medical treatments, and we always encourage you to consult your physician or oncologist before beginning any program.

Nutrient-dense foods and supplements enhance the immune system – supporting DNA/genetic repair and functioning so they can properly detect and destroy cancer cells.

Reach Vitality supports DNA repair and genetic resilience, helping the body defend against cancer at its source.

A diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods can help lower chronic inflammation, which is linked to cancer progression.

Cancer thrives in an acidic environment. With higher oxygen levels, or an alkaline environment, oxygen disrupts cancer cells preferred low-oxygen, acidic metabolism (the Warburg effect), making it harder for them to grow and spread.

Limiting sugar and processed carbohydrates deprives cancer cells of their preferred and “easy to access” fuel — glucose (sugar circulating in your blood).

Vitamins C, E, selenium, and plant-based antioxidants help neutralize harmful free radicals that can damage genes and DNA.

Research shows that naturally occurring compounds in cruciferous vegetables produce compounds and phytochemicals that promote cancer cell death (apoptosis).

Fighting cancer, and cancer treatments, most often deplete essential nutrients. Supplements delivering electrolytes, B vitamins, vitamin D, zinc and magnesium can help ensure your body has the tools necessary to defend against cancer. People living with cancer have a higher metabolic load than those who are not living with cancer. Sitting still for a cancer patient is similar to someone without cancer walking at a brisk pace.

Proper nutrition may reduce side effects from chemotherapy and radiation, help preserve energy, keep your immune system strong, and fuel healthy cells to remove damaged cells and promote healing.

Moderation can be a loaded word — often tied to control, discipline, or even guilt — yet at its core, it simply means finding balance. It’s the practice of choosing enough, rather than too much or too little, across all areas of life: food, stress, sleep, movement, and mindset.

In today’s world of instant gratification and endless convenience, it’s easier than ever to slip into habits that quietly erode health — from processed foods and sugar to overwork or screen time. Tackling these patterns, especially when they border on addiction, can feel daunting, but lasting change doesn’t happen all at once. Small, intentional choices — like improving hydration, eating cleaner, or pausing to breathe — can gradually shift your body from acidic to alkaline, and your mind from reactive to empowered.

In the sections ahead, we’ll explore practical strategies for building moderation: mindful awareness, balanced nutrition, emotional resilience, and daily habits that help restore your body’s natural equilibrium – called homeostasis – a powerful key to prevent and combat cancer.

We’ll also talk about patience and compassion—two essential companions on the path to moderation. Change that sticks doesn’t come from perfection; it comes from progress, self-awareness, and the willingness to begin again when things get hard. This isn’t about giving up or giving in—it’s about finding a way to have balance, joy, and vitality while still preventing and combating cancer. Through this program, you’ll gain guidance to make intelligent, empowered choices and strengthen your commitment to a better quality of life. We’ll explore what motivates you, remind you that it’s okay to slip, and help you reconnect with the power you already have within you.

Your body has an incredible ability to heal when given the right conditions. The Reach Vitality Program is designed to help you build a strong foundation through oxygen-rich movement, nourishing alkaline foods, targeted anti-cancer supplements, restorative sleep, stress reduction, and cellular/genetic repair. By shifting from sugar-fueled energy to oxygen-powered vitality, you strengthen your immune system, support DNA repair, and create an internal environment that is unwelcoming to cancer.

The next step is to dive into each of ReachVitality’s 6 Pillars of Lifestyle Medicine. We have created a module for each Pillar that is easy to follow including research, purchase links, logs and much more.

Deb is also available for one-on-one consultations to help develop an even more customized plan for your cancer, taking into account genetic mutations and other conditions that may impact your health. She can also support you with motivation, moderation, and ongoing encouragement — reminding you that you’re not alone on this journey.

To learn more, purchase the ReachVitality 6 Pillars of Lifestyle Medicine Program, and book a consultation:

Deb Brewer
Email: deb@reachvitality.com
Phone: 617-429-0600

Nutrition and supplementation form the cornerstone of cancer prevention and treatment through lifestyle medicine. What you eat—and what you supplement—directly influences your body’s ability to fight cancer, repair DNA, strengthen immunity, and maintain the alkaline environment that makes it difficult for cancer cells to thrive.

This pillar addresses the fundamental question: How do we fuel the body’s healing processes without feeding cancer?

The answer lies in understanding that cancer patients face unique metabolic challenges. Your body isn’t just fighting disease—it’s working harder than ever to maintain basic functions, repair damaged tissues, and power an immune system under siege. Every nutritional choice either supports this heroic effort or undermines it.

In the chapters ahead, you’ll discover:

• How metabolic load affects cancer patients differently than healthy individuals
• The critical role of pH balance and alkalinity in creating an anti-cancer environment
• Which foods fuel your body versus which foods fuel cancer cells
• How to use the ReachVitality Food Chart to make informed choices
• Why certain supplements are essential for cancer prevention and treatment
• How to test and track your body’s pH to ensure your plan is working
• The science behind each recommendation—and the practical steps to implement them

When facing cancer, every bite matters. The foods you choose can either fuel your body’s increased metabolic needs—supporting immunity, cellular repair, and recovery—or feed cancer’s demand for quick energy. By focusing on nutrient-dense, alkaline-balanced, antioxidant-rich foods and targeted supplements, you give your body the strength it needs to fight while creating conditions less favorable for cancer growth.

ReachVitality’s Lifestyle Medicine Program will show you how to achieve homeostasis—the body’s ability to maintain stable internal conditions like temperature, alkaline pH, and fluid balance. This isn’t about giving up the things that make you happy. It’s about creating a foundation of health that allows you to enjoy life while actively preventing and combating cancer.

The metabolic load is the total energy and nutrient demand placed on the body to maintain cellular function, repair, and survival. It reflects how much work the body’s systems must do to meet these needs under normal or stressed conditions.

The metabolic load in someone with cancer is significantly higher than in a healthy person because the body carries an increased metabolic load when fighting cancer. It’s burning more energy and nutrients to fuel the immune system, repair tissues, and sustain healing. In contrast, a person without cancer has a more balanced and efficient metabolic demand to maintain normal cellular function.

If cancer increases REE (Resting Energy Expenditure) by, say, 10-30% or more depending on stage, tumor burden, treatment, etc., that could mean an extra few hundred calories per day just to maintain basic functions.

Example: If someone’s baseline REE is 1,500 calories/day, a 30% increase could be an additional 450 calorie requirement/day, just to cover basic functions.

There are potential risk factors if someone with cancer doesn’t meet the body’s extra metabolic demands:

Weakened immunity: Without enough nutrients, immune cells can’t function properly, making it harder to fight infections or kill/prevent cancer cells.

Poor healing and recovery: Damaged tissues from treatment (chemo, radiation, surgery) don’t repair as well, slowing recovery.

Increased fatigue: Energy shortages leave patients feeling exhausted, both physically and mentally. In some cases, malnutrition and weight loss can result in serious conditions.

And for cancer itself? If the patient is undernourished, the imbalance can actually give cancer an advantage — it continues to grow and spread while the immune system and normal cells become weaker and less able to resist.

Is the solution to eat more? Yes — but only the right foods. Certain foods fuel cancer growth, while others help prevent, fight, and heal it. The goal is to eat smarter — reducing unhelpful foods and increasing nutrient-dense, cancer-fighting choices that support cellular repair and recovery.

When facing cancer, every bite matters. The foods you choose can either fuel your body’s increased metabolic needs—supporting cancer immunity, cancer elimination, cellular repair, and recovery—or feed cancer’s demand for quick energy. By focusing on nutrient-dense, alkaline-balanced, antioxidant-rich foods, you give your body the strength it needs to fight, while creating conditions that are less favorable for cancer to grow.

ReachVitality’s Lifestyle Medicine Program will show you how to achieve balance, or homeostasis. Homeostasis is the body’s ability to maintain stable internal conditions—like temperature, alkaline pH, and fluid balance.

It’s not about giving up the things that make you happy. When you start your ReachVitality plan, we recommend that the integrated program is adhered to as much as possible, so that you can see how your body responds. As time and success progresses, we can help you adjust accordingly.

Through her own journey with cancer, Deb discovered that following her program about 85% of the time helps keep cancer away and supports her body’s healing processes. Allowing herself the remaining 15% for flexibility gives her the freedom to enjoy life’s moments without losing the sense of safety, confidence – and most importantly, the progress she’s achieved.

pH stands for “potential of hydrogen” and reflects the oxygen/hydroxyl balance (OH-) that, working together, neutralize excess hydrogen in your cells. Too much hydrogen creates acidity. Low levels of hydrogen, through the oxygen/hydroxyl function, promote alkalinity.

Alkalinity is associated with oxygen-rich molecules, especially hydroxyl ions (OH-). These ions neutralize excess hydrogen, raising pH toward alkaline.

###The pH Scale

The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14:

• 7.0 is neutral
• Below 6.4 is acidic (excess hydrogen)
• Above 6.4 – 7.0 is alkaline (more oxygen/hydroxyl balance)

Cancer cells thrive in lower-pH, acidic, low-oxygen environments, where acid fuels their rapid growth through supporting sugar fermentation (the Warburg effect). Acidity also weakens key immune defenders—especially T-cells and natural killer (NK) cells—as well as tumor-suppressor genes, all of which play vital roles in controlling and destroying cancer.

Conversely, high oxygen, or alkalinity, disrupts this process: When oxygen is plentiful, cancer cells can’t lean on fermentation as easily, which slows and can stop their growth.

Additionally, plentiful oxygen/alkalinity strengthens normal cell metabolism and immune function (T-cells, NK cells, and tumor suppressor genes), giving the body a better chance to resist cancer progression.

There are two indicators of pH levels in the human body: a blood pH and a urine pH.

Your blood pH reflects how well your body stays balanced between acid and alkaline. It’s normally kept within a very narrow, safe range of 7.35–7.45. Even small shifts outside this range can affect critical functions like enzymes, electrolytes, the heart, and the brain.

Unlike blood pH, which is kept within a very tight range, urine pH changes more quickly and gives a real-time picture of the body’s acid–alkaline balance. Because the kidneys regulate what acids and bases are excreted, urine pH reflects how your body is actively adjusting to maintain overall blood pH balance. In this way, urine pH can serve as a practical indicator of whether the body is leaning more acidic or alkaline at any given moment.

The 6 Pillars of Lifestyle Medicine all work together to support your body’s natural alkalinity. These habits improve oxygen delivery, strengthen cellular repair, and create an internal chemistry less favorable to cancer:

• Nutrition/supplementation
• Exercise/movement
• Restorative sleep
• Stress management
• Positive social connections, and
• Avoidance of risky substances

When the Pillars fall out of balance, the body can become more acidic, creating conditions cancer can exploit.

In the next chapter, we’ll explore the specific alkaline food strategy and how to implement it in your daily life.

An alkaline (oxygen-rich) food program focuses on eating foods that help keep the body’s pH more alkaline. This is especially helpful for cancer patients because cancer struggles to grow in an oxygen-rich, alkaline environment. One way to support alkalinity in the body is through the foods you eat.

The ReachVitality Lifestyle Medicine food program focuses on alkaline foods, while limiting (not eliminating) acidic foods.

The easiest way to track your body’s pH is by testing your urine a few times a week. Regular testing shows if your plan is working and also provides insight in case you need to make changes.

The goal is to have an average urine pH of 6.4-6.8.

With my own cancer journey, testing helped keep me informed, and accountable. Whenever my pH consistently fell below 6.4, I saw cancer growth. Notably, I’ve experienced tumor stability—and even shrinkage—when maintaining an average pH of 6.4 or higher, 85% of the time.

These strips provide a powerful window into your body’s internal environment—revealing whether it’s more likely to support healing or allow cancer to grow.

A persistently low pH (acidic) may signal that the body is under metabolic stress, which is common during cancer and treatment. This is why an integrated approach (managing the 6 Pillars together) is very important.

The best priced, most reliable, and easiest product we’ve found to use is:

Hydrion pH 15 Foot Roll with Chart and Dispenser, 5.5-8.0 pH Range

Amazon Link: https://amzn.to/46fZGpm

1. Test your first urine in the morning (usually after 6AM) by urinating in a small container
2. Test on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
3. Calculate the average of the 3 days (add the amounts together and divide by 3)
4. A healthy range of pH should be 6.4-6.8
5. If your pH is below these amounts, your body is acidic

If you find you are below 6.4, look back at your food log for the past 2 days and try to find out where you may have been consuming more acidic foods than alkaline. It’s possible that some minor adjustments will make a big difference. Also check to make sure you are on track with your supplementation.

If you look at your food log and you realize your alkaline/acid food balance and supplementation were on track, perhaps there’s another area in your life that you need to focus on to help achieve body alkalinity. This is where managing the 6 Pillars of Lifestyle Medicine together become relevant.

We’ve discussed the importance of alkaline body chemistry – it’s amazing cancer-fighting properties and creation of chemistry unfavorable to cancer growth. With that in mind you might think “Wouldn’t it be best to just consume alkaline foods?” Part of the answer to that question is yes, but it’s critical to also eat acidic foods, too.

• Energy (calories): to power every function, from movement to cell repair
• Macronutrients: proteins (for building and repair), fats (for energy storage and hormones), and carbohydrates (for quick energy)
• Micronutrients: vitamins & minerals that regulate metabolism, immunity, & organ function
• Phytonutrients & antioxidants: compounds from plants that protect cells from damage
• Hydration & fiber: supporting digestion, circulation, and detoxification

Hence, we need both alkaline and acidic foods in our diet. Here lies the balancing act. You want the majority of your diet to be alkaline-forming foods (fruits, vegetables, plant-based proteins), with fewer acid-forming foods (processed foods, refined sugars, excess meats). The formula is 4 alkaline foods for every 1 acidic food, and the goal is to eat between 10-14 alkaline foods per day.

When at all possible, seek out organic, sustainably-raised or wild-caught food. Basically what this means is whatever your food is given to eat, those ingredients eventually end up in your body.

Consuming fruits and vegetables from regenerative/sustainable and organic farms, wild caught fish, no-corn fed and free range animals are your best choices when you are fighting cancer. Reason being - less chemical and inflammatory load on your cells and immune system, so they can keep performing optimally.

In the next chapters, we’ll explore specific food categories and which foods within each category are best suited for cancer prevention and treatment.

ReachVitality and its partners have developed a food chart, specifically for preventing and fighting cancer. The goal of the Chart is to provide a quick reference to which foods are acidic, alkaline, or neutral, as well as to guide patients to which foods are the safest for consumption while fighting cancer. These recommendations are designed to fuel your body, not your cancer.

On The Food Chart you’ll see some sections completely crossed out, and in other sections, individual foods are crossed out in red. These are unsafe for cancer patients. ReachVitality advises that those with cancer do their best to avoid all unsafe foods. As your health improves and your cancer has stabilized, some unsafe foods may be added back to your program in moderation.

For cancer patients, moderate amounts of high-quality animal proteins are important because they provide essential amino acids needed for immune function, tissue repair, and maintaining strength during treatment.

High-quality animal proteins are those that provide all nine essential amino acids in adequate amounts, are easily digestible, and supply important nutrients like iron, zinc, and B vitamins. These proteins are considered “complete” because they contain the full amino acid profiles.

However, for cancer patients, some animal proteins are not as beneficial as others.

Lamb, Ham, Beef:

• High in saturated fat, triggering chronic, low-grade inflammation that supports tumor growth and progression
• Affects cellular repair and alters cell membranes
• Substances called heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are created when meat is cooked at high temperatures. Research shows HCAs and PAHs can alter DNA, possibly increasing cancer risk
• May worsen insulin resistance and increase growth signals (like IGF-1), which some cancers use to fuel their spread

Clams, Lobster, Scallops & Shrimp:

• Shellfish may carry pathogens and toxins that can damage cancer-fighting DNA, T-cells, and weaken immune systems
• Can accumulate heavy metals such as cadmium, which can be an endocrine disruptor and potentially promote cancer cell growth, particularly in breast cancer cells

Important Note: Animal proteins are acidic, thus they are advised to be consumed in moderation (4:1 alkaline to acid ratio). A food portion is considered to be the size of the palm of your hand.

Beans fuel the body with plant-based protein, fiber, and are loaded with antioxidants and phytonutrients that strengthen immunity, improve digestion, and create conditions less favorable for cancer to thrive. However, there are several beans on the Food Chart that are acidic. When consuming these variations, please be sure to adhere to the 4:1 alkaline to acid ratio.

Nuts and seeds can be a very popular source of energy, protein and nutrients for healthy individuals. However, for cancer patients, they aren’t a safe choice.

Contain arginine that fuels tumor growth: Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid that plays a key role in cell division and protein synthesis. Some tumors use arginine to accelerate their growth, so the concern is that high intake could “feed” cancer cells.

Mold/aflatoxin risk: Nuts (especially peanuts, pistachios) can harbor aflatoxins, which are carcinogenic. Mold is especially dangerous for cancer patients.

Most practitioners and research indicate dairy products unsafe for cancer patients. The primary reasons are:

Growth factors (IGF-1): Dairy can raise levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), a hormone linked to cell proliferation. High IGF-1 may encourage cancer cell growth.

Hormones in milk: Conventional dairy may contain natural or added hormones that can influence hormone-sensitive cancers (like breast or prostate cancer).

Research supports: High saturated fat causing inflammation; digestive stress and potential mucus production.

The healthiest fats for cancer patients are unsaturated fats—especially omega-3s from fish, soy, and plant oils—which reduce inflammation and support immunity. In contrast, saturated fats from meat and dairy, and trans fats from processed foods, can impair DNA and cellular repair.

Most of the vegetables in the low starch (low carbohydrate) category are very beneficial for cancer patients, for their anti-cancer properties (low carb as well as alkaline, cruciferous, antioxidant, amongst many other benefits). However some are unsafe:

Mushrooms: Fungal connection – because mushrooms are fungi (fungus), some practitioners suggest cancer patients avoid them, as they may “feed” fungal overgrowth.

Sprouts: Raw sprouts (like alfalfa, mung bean, broccoli, clover) are high risk for bacterial contamination, and can compromise immune system.

They raise blood sugar quickly: Starchy vegetables (like potatoes, corn, peas, and winter squash) are rich in complex carbohydrates that break down into glucose. Cancer cells rely heavily on glucose for energy (known as the Warburg effect), so diets that cause frequent blood sugar spikes may fuel tumor metabolism.

They can increase insulin levels: When blood sugar rises, the body releases insulin to bring it down. Chronically high insulin and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) can stimulate cell proliferation — a process cancer cells can exploit for faster growth.

They may crowd out more nutrient-dense, alkalizing foods: A plate full of starchy vegetables leaves less room for high-fiber, low-carb, antioxidant-rich vegetables (like leafy greens, cruciferous veggies, and colorful non-starchy options) that help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress.

They can affect body weight and inflammation: Too many high-starch foods can contribute to weight gain, inflammation, and metabolic stress — all of which are linked to poorer outcomes in many cancers.

They raise blood sugar quickly: Similar to high starch vegetables, grains are rich in complex carbohydrates that break down into glucose. Cancer cells rely heavily on glucose for energy (known as the Warburg effect), so diets that cause frequent blood sugar spikes may fuel tumor metabolism.

Arginine: While not universally harmful, excess arginine can fuel tumor growth, blood vessel formation, and survival in fast-growing cancers. ReachVitality recommends limiting high-arginine foods (certain grains, nuts, seeds, soy, and meats) and avoiding arginine supplements to help restrict cancer metabolism.

The complete food chart categorizes all foods by their pH properties (alkaline, acidic, neutral, or acidic-to-alkaline) and marks unsafe foods for cancer patients. The chart covers:

• Animal Proteins
• Beans
• Nuts/Seeds (avoid)
• Fats
• Low-Starch Vegetables
• High-Starch Vegetables
• Grain Products
• Acid Fruits
• Sub-Acid Fruits
• Sweet Fruits
• Sugars
• Dairy (avoid)
• Miscellaneous items

The bar code at the left of each food column indicates if the food is alkaline, acidic, neutral or acid-to-alkaline.

Key:

• Alkaline: Foods that contain a lot of oxygen. They have a higher pH score. Eat 4 for every 1 acidic food.
• Acidic: Foods that have less oxygen/more acidity and have lower pH scores. Eat 1 for every 4 alkaline foods.
• Neutral: Foods that remain neutral only when your pH is stable. (A stable pH is 6.4 or higher)
• Acidic to Alkaline: Acidic foods that convert to alkaline when your pH is stable.

Safe to Eat (Acidic - use 4:1 ratio):

• Chicken
• Cod
• Crab
• Egg white
• Flounder
• Haddock
• Halibut
• Salmon
• Sardine
• Sole
• Tuna
• Turkey

Unsafe (Avoid):

• Beef
• Clam
• Egg yolk
• Ham
• Lamb
• Liver
• Lobster
• Pork
• Scallop
• Shrimp

Alkaline:

• Adzuki
• Anasaki
• Black
• Chickpea
• Kidney
• Soy/tofu
• Lentil
• Mung
• Navy
• Northern
• Pinto
• White

All Unsafe (Avoid):

• Almond
• Brazil
• Cashew
• Macadamia
• Peanut
• Pecan
• Pine
• Pistachio
• Pumpkin
• Sesame
• Sunflower
• Walnut

Alkaline:

• Avocado
• Olive oil

Acidic:

• Butter
• Coconut
• Cream
• Ghee
• Margarine
• Vegetable oil

Alkaline:

• Arugula
• Asparagus
• Broccoli
• Brussels sprouts
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower
• Chinese cabbage
• Collard
• Cucumber
• Eggplant
• Endive
• Escarole
• Garlic
• Green beans
• Kale
• Kohlrabi
• Leek
• Lettuce
• Lotus root
• Mustard green
• Okra
• Onion
• Parsley
• Pepper
• Radish
• Scallion
• Sorrel
• Spinach
• Summer squash
• Swiss chard
• Turnip
• Turnip green
• Watercress
• Zucchini

Unsafe (Avoid):

• Mushroom
• Sprouts

Alkaline:

• Artichoke
• Beet
• Carrot
• Parsnip
• Pea
• Potato
• Pumpkin
• Winter squash
• Yam

Unsafe (Avoid):

• Chestnut
• Corn
• Lima bean

Alkaline:

• Amaranth
• Barley
• Buckwheat
• Millet
• Quinoa

Acidic:

• Kamut
• Kasha
• Oats
• Rice
• Rye
• Triticale
• Wheat
• Spelt

Alkaline:

• Grapefruit
• Kumquat
• Kiwi
• Lemon
• Lime
• Orange
• Pineapple
• Strawberry
• Tomato

Alkaline:

• Apple
• Apricot
• Blackberry
• Blueberry
• Cherry
• Grape
• Mango
• Nectarine
• Papaya
• Peach
• Pear
• Plum
• Raspberry
• Tangerine

Alkaline:

• Banana

Unsafe (Avoid):

• Date
• Currant
• Fig
• Raisin

Alkaline:

• Barley malt
• Rice syrup
• Stevia

Acidic:

• Brown sugar
• Honey
• Maple syrup
• Sucanat
• Turbinado

Unsafe (Avoid):

• White sugar
• White bread

All Unsafe (Avoid):

• Cow’s cheese
• Rice milk
• Rice milk cheese
• Cow’s milk
• Cow’s yogurt

Neutral (when pH is stable):

• Almond milk
• Soy milk
• Soy cheese
• Soy yogurt

Unsafe (Avoid):

• Fruit preserve
• Sugar free jam
• Vinegar
• Coffee
• Chocolate
• Beer/wine
• Spirits

The Glycemic (glucose, or sugar) Index ranks how quickly carbohydrate-containing foods raise blood sugar. Foods with higher scores cause faster blood sugar “spikes”. Eating low glycemic foods is important because it helps starve cancer cells by limiting the rapid spikes in blood sugar they rely on for growth and energy (known as the Warburg effect).

The Glycemic Index includes a wide range of foods, and some of the higher score (high sugar) foods are:

• Fruits: watermelon, grapes, honeydew melon, raisins
• Vegetables: white potatoes, carrots, beets
• Processed/refined foods: white bread, sugary drinks, pastries, candy

When your body metabolizes large amounts of sugar, it can increase acidic byproducts (like lactic acid) and deplete alkalizing minerals (like magnesium and calcium) needed to buffer those acids. This can shift body chemistry toward acidity which is the environment cancer can thrive in.

It’s important to know while some fruits and vegetables are high in GI, they also contain essential nutrients and fiber. ReachVitality recommends that all alkaline fruits and vegetables offer important nutrients and can all be consumed in moderation.

Low-Glycemic Index foods are digested slowly, helping to manage blood sugar and support steady energy— which is especially important for reducing inflammation.

• White bread and refined grains (white rice, white flour, regular pasta, bakery goods)
• Sugary cereals (e.g., corn flakes, puffed rice)
• Instant oatmeal
• Pastries, cakes, bagels and cookies
• Soda and sugary beverages
• Candy and sweet snacks
• White potatoes (especially mashed or fried)
• Sugar sweetened yogurt
• Ice cream and frozen desserts
• Energy drinks and sports drinks
• Processed snack foods (e.g., crackers, tortilla and potato chips)

• Carrots, Peas
• Artichoke, Radishes
• White potatoes
• Pumpkin, winter squash, yams, purple potatoes

• Spinach, kale, broccoli, zucchini
• Legumes (e.g., lentils, soy/tofu)
• Blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, green apples, pears, cherries
• Avocados
• Celery
• Red cabbage
• Brussels sprouts
• Red onions
• Leeks, scallions
• Watercress

Processed foods pose risks for cancer patients — and for those seeking to prevent cancer — because they often contain ingredients and additives that promote inflammation, oxidative stress, and metabolic imbalance — all of which can create conditions cancer cells thrive in.

High in refined sugars and starches: These rapidly raise blood sugar and insulin levels, fueling cancer metabolism.

Loaded with unhealthy fats: Trans fats and refined oils increase inflammation and damage cell membranes.

Low in nutrients: Processing strips away vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants critical for cellular repair and immune defense.

Chemical additives and preservatives: Some processed meats and packaged foods contain nitrates, artificial colors, and flavor enhancers linked to DNA damage and higher cancer risk.

Toxin accumulation: Highly processed foods often carry residues of pesticides, plastics, or other contaminants that burden detoxification pathways.

• Packaged snacks: chips, crackers, pretzels, cookies
• Sweetened breakfast cereals
• Candy, chocolate bars, and energy bars
• Frozen meals and microwave dinners
• Instant noodles, boxed pasta mixes
• Processed meats: bacon, hot dogs, sausages, deli meats, pepperoni
• Fast food and fried items
• Soft drinks, sports drinks, sweetened teas, energy drinks
• White bread, pastries, and refined-flour baked goods
• Margarine and hydrogenated oils

• Canned soups or vegetables (especially with added salt or preservatives)
• Flavored yogurt or sweetened dairy alternatives
• Pre-packaged salad dressings, sauces, and marinades
• Store-bought granola or protein bars
• Flavored instant oatmeal

• Frozen fruits and vegetables (no added sugar or sauces)
• Plain yogurt, kefir, or unsweetened plant milks
• Canned beans, if rinsed well
• Whole-grain breads with simple ingredients
• Cold-pressed oils (olive, avocado, coconut)

The body depends on a delicate balance between free radicals and antioxidants — when that balance is lost and free radicals overwhelm the body’s defenses, oxidative stress occurs.

Free radicals are unstable molecules produced naturally through metabolism, stress, pollution, and certain medical treatments. In small amounts, free radicals help the body fight infection and respond to stress. But when their production exceeds the body’s antioxidant defenses, they cause oxidative stress — an imbalance that damages cells, DNA, and tissues, leading to inflammation, weakened immunity, and a higher risk of cancer progression.

The following create a free radical–antioxidant imbalance:

• Periods of chronic stress
• Poor diet
• Processed foods
  • They’re often high in refined sugars, unhealthy fats, and chemical additives, all of which increase free radical production during digestion and metabolism
  • They typically lack natural antioxidants (like vitamins C and E, polyphenols, and enzymes) that protect cells from oxidative damage
• Intense exercise without recovery
• Toxin exposure (like pollution, pesticides, or smoking)
• Medical treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation

Antioxidants work by donating electrons to neutralize free radicals, stopping their chain reaction of cellular damage and restoring balance to the body’s internal environment.

To restore balance, it’s essential to increase antioxidant intake through both whole foods and targeted supplementation. Foods rich in antioxidants — like berries, leafy greens, cruciferous vegetables, green tea, turmeric, and vitamin C– or E–rich sources — help neutralize excess free radicals naturally. Supplementing with compounds such as chlorophyll can further strengthen the body’s defense system, reducing oxidative stress and protecting healthy cells from damage.

• Berries (blueberries, strawberries, raspberries)
• Leafy greens (spinach, kale)
• Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, Brussels sprouts)
• Green tea
• Turmeric
• Vitamin C-rich foods (citrus, bell peppers)
• Vitamin E-rich foods (avocados, olive oil)

Understanding the balance between free radicals and antioxidants empowers you to make choices that strengthen your body’s defenses against cancer.

Every day, your body naturally detects and destroys abnormal cells — including those with cancerous potential — through the immune system’s constant surveillance. Specialized cells like natural killer (NK) cells and T-cells identify damaged or mutated cells and trigger their death, preventing them from multiplying. When your immune defenses are strong and balanced, your body is actively keeping cancer in check long before it can take hold.

T cells (lymphocytes) are a type of white blood cell in the immune system. As they have the ability to kill cancer cells, they are a key component of the body’s immune system in fighting cancer. Specifically, cytotoxic T cells (or killer T cells) are designed to recognize and destroy cancer cells.

One way to support cytotoxic T cell creation is by eating whole (not processed) foods that are high in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

• Drink plenty of distilled water

• Include pre and probiotics

• Eat a colorful, well-balanced diet
• Berries
• Leafy greens
• Spices (ginger, garlic, turmeric, chili powder, oregano, cinnamon, basil, parsley)

• Eat citrus fruits (low glycemic options, and only when your body is alkaline)

• Eat poultry (organic, free-range when possible)

• Eat bright colored vegetables (red cabbage, turnip, carrots, sweet potatoes, beets, parsnip, red onion)

• Eat fish oil (salmon - wild-caught when possible)
• Cook with olive and avocado oils

• Eat cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, kale, bok choy, Brussels sprouts, radishes, watercress, collards)

• Drink Tea (Matcha, green, red rooibos, ginger, rosemary, pau d’arco, astragalus, cats claw, chaparral, red clover, dandelion root & leaf)

These foods work synergistically to:

• Strengthen T-cell and NK cell function
• Reduce inflammation
• Support DNA repair
• Create an alkaline, oxygen-rich environment
• Provide essential vitamins and minerals
• Boost antioxidant protection

Remember, supplementation (covered in the next chapter) works alongside these nutritional strategies to fill gaps and provide targeted support that food alone may not deliver in sufficient quantities.

Supplementation can play an important supportive role for individuals with cancer, particularly when treatment or illness affects appetite, nutrient absorption, or overall nutritional status.

Cancer and its therapies can deplete essential vitamins and minerals needed for immune function, energy production, and cellular repair (as discussed in the metabolic load chapter). Supplements—such as vitamin D, B vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants—can help fill nutritional gaps, support increased metabolic loads, reduce inflammation, and support the body’s ability to heal and recover.

The following supplements form the foundation of the ReachVitality anti-cancer supplementation protocol:

• Soursop (Paw Paw or Graviola)
• Black Seed Oil
• Quercetin with Bromelain
• B Complex
• Zinc
• Vitamin D with MK-7
• Ellagic Acid
• Spleen Glandular
• Pre and Probiotics
• Magnesium
• Distilled Water
• Chlorophyll
• NUUN Electrolyte Tablets

How It Works Against Cancer:

Disrupts cancer cell energy production: Acetogenins inhibit enzymes in the mitochondria (the cell’s “powerhouse”) — specifically complex I of the electron transport chain. This blocks ATP (energy) production, which cancer cells need for rapid growth and replication.

Induces apoptosis (programmed cell death): In lab studies, Soursop compounds were found to trigger cell apoptosis — essentially telling cancer cells to self-destruct — while leaving most healthy cells unharmed.

Inhibits metastasis: Some research suggests soursop extract may reduce cancer cell migration and invasion, helping slow potential spread.

Reduces oxidative stress and inflammation: Soursop has antioxidants like flavonoids and alkaloids that help lower oxidative damage and chronic inflammation, both of which are linked to cancer progression.

Black seed oil (from Nigella sativa) contains several bioactive compounds, the most studied being thymoquinone (TQ), which has shown multiple anticancer effects in lab studies.

Key Mechanisms:

Inducing apoptosis: TQ can activate cancer cell self-destruction by upregulating p53 (a tumor suppressor gene), increasing expression of p21, and downregulating anti-apoptotic proteins like Bcl-2

Cell cycle arrest: It can block cancer cells from advancing through the cell cycle (often at the G1 phase), slowing or stopping their division

Inhibiting proliferation and metastasis: Black seed compounds can reduce the ability of cancer cells to grow, migrate, and invade new tissues

Anti-angiogenesis: By interfering with signaling pathways, TQ can reduce the development of new blood vessels that tumors need to grow

Modulation of signaling pathways: TQ affects multiple signaling systems implicated in cancer, such as NF-κB, STAT3, PI3K/AKT, MAPK, and PPARγ

Epigenetic regulation: Some studies suggest TQ and black seed oil may influence gene expression by modifying DNA methylation, histone deacetylation, and regulation of tumor suppressor genes

Antioxidant & anti-inflammatory effects: Because oxidative stress and inflammation are major drivers of cancer, black seed’s ability to reduce reactive oxygen species and downregulate inflammatory pathways contributes to its protective effects

Anti-Parasitic & Antimicrobial Actions: Thymoquinone and thymohydroquinone have been shown in studies to kill or inhibit parasites such as Plasmodium (malaria), Schistosoma, Giardia, and Helminths (intestinal worms). Black seed oil also exhibits broad antimicrobial effects, helping balance gut flora

If you’re exploring antiparasitic support as part of your cancer care, consider black seed oil capsules instead of ivermectin — they offer similar protective properties but in a gentler, natural, and safer form that also strengthens your immune system.

Comparison:

Black Seed Oil:

• Natural support; food-derived
• Supports (doesn’t strain) immunity
• Thymoquinone: Antiparasitic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory
• Helps gut/immune balance; low interaction risk
• Antioxidant and tissue-supportive benefits

Ivermectin:

• Synthetic drug
• Effective antiparasitic; may strain liver/immune system
• Limited scope: Targets infections; lacks antioxidant protection
• Can interact with chemo/immunotherapy; monitor closely
• No added support: No broad immune or tissue-protective effects

Spleen glandulars—made from desiccated bovine or porcine spleen—are sometimes used in integrative cancer care to help restore immune function. The spleen filters blood and activates white blood cells that target abnormal cells. Glandular extracts are thought to provide peptides, enzymes, and nutrients that support this activity, aiding tissue repair and potentially improving white blood cell recovery after chemotherapy or radiation.

Ellagic acid is a powerful plant-based antioxidant found in foods like pomegranates, raspberries, strawberries, walnuts, and pecans. It’s studied for its potential to help protect cells from damage, support detoxification, and interfere with cancer cell growth — making it a valuable nutrient in cancer prevention and recovery.

Key Benefits:

• Fights free radicals: Neutralizes oxidative stress that can damage DNA and lead to cancer
• Supports detoxification: Enhances liver enzyme activity to help the body clear carcinogens more efficiently
• Inhibits tumor growth: Research shows Ellagic Acid slows cancer cell replication and triggers apoptosis (programmed cell death)
• Blocks angiogenesis: Helps prevent tumors from forming new blood vessels needed for growth
• Protects healthy cells: Shields normal cells from damage during chemotherapy and radiation

Chlorophyll — the green pigment that gives plants their color — is a potent detoxifier and antioxidant that supports the body’s natural healing and defense systems. For cancer patients, chlorophyll supplements can help cleanse, oxygenate, and restore balance to the body’s internal environment.

Key Benefits:

• Supports detoxification: Binds to and helps remove heavy metals, toxins, and carcinogens from the body
• Improves oxygenation: Enhances red blood cell production, helping deliver more oxygen to tissues and cells
• Reduces acidity: Promotes a more alkaline internal environment that’s less favorable to cancer growth
• Strengthens immunity: Boosts immune cell function and supports wound/tissue repair
• Combats oxidative stress: Acts as a powerful antioxidant to protect DNA and healthy cells from free radical damage

Quercetin, a powerful antioxidant flavonoid, combined with bromelain, an enzyme from pineapple, offers synergistic benefits that can support the body’s defenses. Together, they help reduce inflammation, strengthen immunity, and protect healthy cells from oxidative stress.

Key Benefits:

• Enhances absorption: Bromelain improves quercetin’s bioavailability, allowing the body to utilize it more effectively
• Reduces inflammation: Helps calm chronic inflammation linked to cancer progression and treatment side effects
• Supports immune balance: Modulates immune responses to strengthen the body’s natural defense mechanisms
• Protects cells and DNA: Neutralizes free radicals to prevent oxidative damage
• May inhibit tumor growth: Research suggests quercetin can interfere with cancer cell signaling and proliferation

Zinc is an essential trace mineral that plays a vital role in immune strength, cellular repair, and antioxidant defense — all crucial for cancer patients whose bodies are under increased metabolic and oxidative stress. Adequate zinc levels help maintain the body’s ability to heal, protect DNA, and support normal cell function during and after treatment.

Key Benefits:

• Strengthens immunity: Supports T-cell and natural killer (NK) cell activity to fight abnormal cells
• Promotes healing: Aids in tissue repair and wound recovery after surgery or treatment
• Protects DNA: Helps prevent mutations by stabilizing cell membranes and reducing oxidative damage
• Supports appetite and taste: Zinc deficiency can cause taste changes or appetite loss common during chemotherapy
• Improves treatment tolerance: Contributes to overall metabolic balance and recovery from therapy-related fatigue

Vitamin D is essential for regulating cell growth, strengthening immune defenses, and promoting the natural elimination of abnormal cells — all key in preventing and managing cancer. However, its full benefits depend on the presence of vitamin K2 (MK-7), which ensures calcium absorbed through vitamin D is properly utilized and doesn’t accumulate in soft tissues. Together, they create a synergistic balance that supports both cellular health and systemic protection.

How Vitamin D and MK-7 Work Together:

• Enhance immune strength: Support T-cell activation and overall immune surveillance against abnormal cells
• Regulate calcium metabolism: Vitamin D increases calcium absorption, while MK-7 directs it to bones and away from arteries and organs
• Prevent tissue calcification: MK-7 activates proteins (osteocalcin and MGP) that prevent calcium buildup in soft tissues
• Promote healthy cell growth: Together, they help regulate cellular signaling and apoptosis (programmed cancer cell death), reducing cancer risk
• Support bone and cardiovascular health: Maintain strong bones and protect heart and vessel integrity — essential during cancer treatment and recovery

B vitamins are essential for energy production, cellular repair, and nervous system health — all of which are critical for cancer patients coping with increased metabolic demands and treatment-related fatigue. The B Complex supplement provides balanced support for immune function, detoxification, and healthy red blood cell formation, helping the body stay resilient during recovery.

Key Benefits:

• Supports energy production: Helps convert nutrients into cellular energy to combat fatigue from treatment or illness
• Promotes cellular repair: Aids in DNA synthesis and tissue healing, especially important during chemotherapy or radiation
• Boosts mood and brain function: B6, B9 (folate), and B12 support neurotransmitter balance and cognitive health
• Strengthens immunity: B vitamins play a role in white blood cell production and immune resilience
• Aids detoxification: Supports liver enzyme activity to help clear toxins and metabolic waste from the body

Emerging research shows that the gut microbiome—the vast community of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms in the digestive tract—plays a vital role in immune regulation, inflammation control, and even how well cancer treatments work. For cancer patients, maintaining a healthy microbiome through a diverse and brightly colored diet as well as prebiotics (which feed beneficial bacteria) and probiotics (which replenish them) can strengthen resilience, improve treatment tolerance, and support overall healing.

Why the Gut Microbiome Matters for Cancer Patients:

• Enhances immune function: A balanced microbiome improves communication between gut bacteria and immune cells, boosting the body’s ability to detect and destroy abnormal cells
• Improves treatment response: Studies show patients with a diverse microbiome often respond better to chemotherapy and immunotherapy
• Reduces inflammation: Healthy gut bacteria produce short-chain fatty acids (like butyrate) that lower systemic inflammation linked to cancer growth
• Supports nutrient absorption: Beneficial microbes aid digestion and help the body absorb vitamins and minerals critical for recovery
• Protects gut integrity: Prebiotics and probiotics help maintain the gut lining, preventing “leaky gut,” infection risk, and toxin reabsorption during treatment

Probiotic Sources (Add Good Bacteria):

• Supplements: Choose multi-strain probiotic capsules with at least 10–20 billion CFUs and strains like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium
• Timing: Take probiotics with or right before meals to enhance survival through stomach acid

Prebiotic Sources (Feed Good Bacteria):

• Plant-based fibers: Garlic, onions, leeks, asparagus, and artichokes
• Resistant starches: Cooked and cooled yams and legumes provide fuel for beneficial gut bacteria
• Combination approach: Pair prebiotic foods with probiotic sources regularly to maintain microbiome diversity and balance

Magnesium supports hundreds of enzymatic processes in the body, including muscle function, nerve health, energy production, and sleep quality—all of which are essential for cancer patients managing treatment side effects and recovery.

Drinking distilled water is important for cancer patients because it contains zero total dissolved solids (TDS) — unlike tap water and traditional bottled or spring water, which can have over 300 ppm of total dissolved solids like lead, fluoride, chlorine, and pesticides. These contaminants are harmful even for healthy people and may strain the liver and kidneys of cancer patients. By choosing distilled water, patients reduce toxic exposure, support better hydration, support healthy cell function, and help the body focus its energy on healing and eliminating waste from cancer and/or cancer therapies.

How Much Distilled Water Should I Drink?

For most cancer patients, staying well-hydrated is essential, but the exact amount depends on body weight, treatment type, and overall health.

• 30–35 milliliters of water per kilogram of body weight per day, or roughly half your body weight in ounces
• Example: A 130-pound person should aim for about 65 ounces (8 cups) of water daily
• Increase intake during chemotherapy, radiation, fever, or hot weather — these can cause dehydration
• Include hydrating foods like cucumber, watermelon, soups, and broths
• Add electrolytes for a daily boost, if sweating, vomiting, or experiencing diarrhea. Make sure to also drink enough water without electrolytes to balance intake
• Sip water steadily throughout the day rather than drinking large amounts all at once to avoid bloating or nausea

What About Alkaline Water?

While the idea behind alkaline water is to help neutralize acidity in the body, research shows that drinking alkaline water can create electrolyte imbalances and reduce stomach acidity, impairing digestion and nutrient absorption.

Distilled water is made by boiling water into steam and then condensing it back into liquid, leaving behind impurities, minerals, and contaminants. The result is pure H2O — free of chemicals and toxins.

Distilled water is available at most supermarkets.

NUUN Electrolyte Tablets provide essential minerals that support hydration, especially important for cancer patients who may experience dehydration from treatment side effects.

Nutrient-dense foods and certain supplements enhance the immune system’s ability to detect and destroy cancer cells.

A diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods can help lower chronic inflammation, which is linked to cancer progression.

Alkaline foods and smart supplementation help supply the minerals and antioxidants your body needs to buffer acids, supporting a healthy alkaline pH.

Limiting sugar and processed carbohydrates deprives cancer cells of their preferred and “easy to access” fuel — glucose (sugar circulating in your blood).

Vitamins C, E, selenium, and plant-based antioxidants help neutralize harmful free radicals that can damage DNA.

Research shows that naturally occurring compounds in cruciferous vegetables produce compounds and phytochemicals that promote cancer cell apoptosis (programmed death).

Fighting cancer, and cancer treatments, most often deplete essential nutrients. Supplements delivering electrolytes, B vitamins, vitamin D, zinc and magnesium can help restore balance.

People living with cancer have a higher metabolic load than those who are not living with cancer. Sitting still for a cancer patient is similar to someone without cancer walking at a medium-fast pace. For cancer patients, it’s especially important continually restore the body. It’s essential for maintaining strength and ensuring it has the tools necessary to defend against cancer.

Proper nutrition may reduce side effects from chemotherapy and radiation, help preserve energy, keep your immune system strong, and fuel healthy cells to remove damaged cells and promote healing.

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Deb Brewer is a Stage 4 cancer survivor and Lifestyle Medicine practitioner who has successfully managed her cancer through lifestyle interventions. She holds certification in Nutritional Lifestyle Medicine from Harvard Medical School Executive Education and has combined her personal experience with research and training from preeminent homeopaths, naturopaths, and the American College of Lifestyle Medicine.

After her diagnosis and metastasis, Deb was not initially a candidate for chemotherapy or radiation. Through her dedicated application of lifestyle medicine principles, her lung nodules have remained stable or shrinking for 2 1/2 years, with no new growths, and her original cancer site has been clear for almost 6 years.

Deb created ReachVitality to share her knowledge and empower others facing cancer—or seeking to prevent it—by providing the tools and guidance needed to take control of their health and reach vitality.

This book is not intended as a substitute for medical advice from physicians. The reader should regularly consult a physician in matters relating to his/her health and particularly with respect to any symptoms that may require diagnosis or medical attention. The information provided is based on the author’s personal experience and research and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with qualified healthcare professionals before making changes to your health regimen, especially when dealing with cancer or other serious medical conditions.