Quick Read:

• Radiation therapy can be a necessary tool in a Breast Cancer Conqueror’s healing journey—AND it needs to be supported with other strategic foods, supplements, and therapies for optimal impact.
• Supplements such as Quercetin, curcumin, Vitamin E, Poly-MVA®, and Niacin can help your body withstand the oxidative stress of radiation and accelerate recovery.
• Topical aloe vera, calendula ointment, and French green clay can help with radiation burns and support your skin.

NOTE: This blog provides general advice and dosages. Please always talk to your medical team and Breast Cancer Conqueror Coach for exact protocols.

Natural support during radiation is possible! Integrative care can mean doing radiation as needed—AND adding strategic supplements and therapies to make the treatment more effective and less miserable. Radiation therapy can be a necessary tool in a Breast Cancer Conqueror’s healing journey—AND it needs to be supported with other strategic foods, supplements, and therapies for optimal impact.

As it targets cancer cells, radiation can also cause fatigue, skin irritation, oxidative stress, inflammation in healthy tissues, and many other issues that ruin the quality of your life—and your body’s ability to heal naturally. Fortunately, there are natural, research-backed ways to nourish your body and enhance your resilience—before, during, and long after your treatment ends. No matter where you are on your radiation journey—this blog is for YOU!

Thanks to integrative pioneers like Dr. Nasha Winters (learn more about her via this podcast episode and blog post), we now know that radiation therapy doesn’t just stop working once the last beam is delivered. In fact, radiation continues to exert effects for 3-6 months post-treatment, with certain negative side effects lasting for 30+ years. (Study) Another big reason why choosing natural support during radiation is crucial. 

Therefore, your healing protocol should extend well beyond your final session to amplify the benefits of radiation while minimizing side effects. Read this blog, take it to heart, and most importantly, put it into ACTION. Finish strong, restore your vitality, and protect your long-term health!

1. Blood Sugar Control 

High blood sugar leads to insulin resistance and can also make breast cancer cells more resistant to chemotherapy, radiation, and other immunotherapies and hormone therapies. (2021 study) Additionally, high glucose levels fuel cancer growth and drive inflammation, both of which can interfere with radiation’s effectiveness. Therefore, keeping blood sugar levels low is one of the most powerful ways to support your body’s healing terrain. Please review this blog post for a deep dive into the connection between blood sugar and cancer.

Fasting

Fasting, a proven way to improve blood sugar control and insulin sensitivity, can help you maintain metabolic balance, encourage healthy cell repair, and minimize the radiation-induced damage to surrounding tissues.

Studies have shown that short-term fasting before and during radiation may enhance treatment efficacy and reduce side effects. Particularly:

• Increased Tumor Sensitivity: Fasting makes cancer cells more vulnerable to radiation, leading to better outcomes. (Study)
• Reduced Side Effects: Fasting may help protect healthy cells from radiation damage and reduce side effects like nausea, fatigue, and bone marrow suppression. (Study)

Our suggestion: Intermittent fasting on the day of treatment. 

For more education, please read this blog post on testing your blood sugar and listen to this podcast episode on fasting.

2. Top Supplements to Enhance Radiation and Protect Healthy Cells

A targeted supplement protocol can help your body withstand the oxidative stress of radiation and accelerate recovery. These are some of the most studied and trusted allies in your toolkit. Please consult with your coach or integrative doctor to determine the correct dosages for you:

Quercetin

This potent antioxidant flavonoid can help reduce inflammation, combat oxidative damage, and enhance immune function. It also has promising anti-cancer properties and may improve outcomes during radiation.

More education: Blog post on how quercetin “freezes” breast cancer cells.

Curcumin 

Curcumin, the active component of turmeric, is a powerful anti-inflammatory and radiosensitizer—meaning it may enhance the effects of radiation on cancer cells while protecting normal tissues. Studies show it may also inhibit tumor cell proliferation and reduce skin toxicity during radiotherapy.

More education: Blog post on Curcumin for breast cancer support.

Order it here: Optimal Curcumin

Poly-MVA®

Poly-MVA®’s powerful blends can replenish your energy, create healthy cells, and detox your body. It’s a mitochondrial support supplement that helps improve energy production at the cellular level, reduces oxidative damage, supports DNA repair, and assists in tissue recovery. 

More education: Blog post on Poly-MVA’s energizing, healing, and detoxing powers.

Order it here: Poly-MVA®

Niacin (Vitamin B3)

Controlled-release niacin may help protect the thyroid gland from radiation damage. It supports blood flow and cellular repair and may offer additional detoxification benefits.

Order it here: Niacin CRT™ 500 mg NE

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is essential for tissue repair and antioxidant defense. This unique blend of mixed tocopherols and tocotrienols supports healthy skin and helps your body bounce back from oxidative stress.

More education: The podcast episode with Dr. Barrie Tan is hailed as the world’s foremost expert on vitamin E.

Order it here: Super E Plus

3. Supportive Therapies for Skin, Immunity & Recovery

Topical Aloe Vera

Known for its soothing and cooling properties, Aloe Vera gel can help relieve radiation burns and reduce inflammation. You can also take clean, food-grade Aloe Vera internally to support digestion and wound healing. Lily of the Desert offers wonderfully clean options.

Calendula Ointment

Calendula is a well-known skin healer that reduces redness, promotes repair, and soothes radiation burns. Always apply after radiation sessions—never before.

French Green Clay

This mineral-rich clay binds toxins and has been shown to draw out radiation from tissues. Make a paste and apply it to the radiated area after treatment, leave on for 60 minutes, then rinse gently. Repeat daily or as needed.

Miso Soup

Miso contains fermented soy compounds and friendly bacteria that bind to radioactive isotopes and help eliminate them from the body. Research after the Hiroshima bombing even suggested that miso could reduce the long-term effects of radiation exposure.

Here are a few miso recipes we love:

• Turmeric Miso Soup
• Miso Chicken Soup
• Miso Steamed Broccoli
• Miso-Glazed Asian Eggplant
• Asian Slaw Miso Salmon

Iodine

Iodine protects the thyroid gland from radiation damage and plays a crucial role in hormone balance and detoxification. Be sure to test your levels first before supplementing.

Test recommendation: Hakala Labs 24-Hour Iodine + Bromide Test

More education: Podcast episode with Dr. Brownstein and blog post about iodine levels.

Order it here: Iodine Support

Mistletoe Therapy

Used in European integrative oncology for over 100 years, mistletoe can stimulate the immune system, reduce side effects of treatment, and improve quality of life. Work with a trained practitioner for injections or IV therapy.

More education: This blog post on mistletoe and BelieveBig.org.

Acupuncture

Numerous studies, such as this one, show that acupuncture can reduce radiation-related fatigue, support immune function, and restore balance to the nervous system. It may also relieve cancer-related symptoms such as pain, nausea, dry mouth, and hot flashes because when your nervous and immune systems are balanced—so are you!

Hydration

Radiation can be incredibly dehydrating—and your detox pathways rely on adequate water to flush toxins from your system. Drink at least half your body weight in ounces of clean, filtered water daily. We really do mean FILTERED; tap water is just a cocktail of chemicals. Please review this blog post on at-home water filters and this one on tap water.

You can also add electrolytes, lemon, or a pinch of sea salt for extra support. Click here to learn why (good) salt is actually necessary for breast cancer healing!

4. Consciously Lower Stress Levels

Emotional trauma and stress are triggers that can initiate the development of cancer in your body and prevent healing. Your thoughts can create biochemical changes in your body that literally “turn off” the cancer-promoting genes. They can also “turn on” the healing and protective genes that destroy cancer and restore health and vitality. Meaning your thoughts and beliefs are a major part of the healing process since they can change your body chemistry.

Check out this blog for specific at-home therapies to reduce anxiety, increase immune system capacity, and help you conquer radiation! 

You are not powerless during radiation therapy. 

With the right nutritional support, supplements, and holistic therapies, you can turn radiation from a purely medical intervention into an integrative, healing experience. Partner with your medical team and Breast Cancer Conqueror coach to tailor a plan that fits your body and lifestyle.

Most importantly, stay rooted in your “Why.” Every choice you make—every bite, every breath, every drop of water—is an act of love and commitment to your healing.