Natural treatment & home remedies for multiple myeloma

The multiple myeloma is a type of blood cancer which is forming in the bone marrow. It happens when a type of blood cell, known as plasma cell, becomes cancerous and it forms a tumor, which is usually within the bone. If more than one tumor forms, then it is known as multiple myeloma. The cancerous plasma cells can cause anemia which could lead to infections.

The most common signs and symptoms of the multiple myeloma include fatigue; loss of appetite; nausea; constipation; mental fogginess or confusion; excessive thirst; weakness or numbness in your legs; weight loss; frequent infections. If you have persistent signs and symptoms which worry you, then you need to talk with your doctor as soon as possible so he or she can give you the right diagnosis and treatment. The cause for the multiple myeloma is not known.

There are some factors which can increase your risk of getting multiple myeloma, such as being male; being in your mid – 60s; you are black man; you have a family history of multiple myeloma; you have a MGUS. The multiple myeloma can lead to complications, such as broken bones; bone pain; thinning bones; frequent infections; reduced kidney function; low red blood cell count. There are some cases when your doctor will detect the multiple myeloma accidentally when you undergo a blood test for some other condition. In other cases, your doctor may suspect that you have multiple myeloma due to your signs and symptoms. You need to talk with your doctor if you suffer from multiple myeloma, before you start using some of the below mentioned home remedies, so in this way you can avoid possible side effects.

Natural treatment for multiple myeloma

Take time for yourself

It is very important to eat well, relax and get enough rest. They can help you to combat the stress and fatigue caused by the multiple myeloma. Also, you should plan ahead for the downtimes when you need to rest more or to limit what you do.

Set reasonable goals

When you have goals, then it can help you to feel in control and it can give you a sense of purpose. You should not choose goals which you cannot possibly reach. For example, you may not be able to work a 40 hours per week, but you are able to work at least part time. Many people have noticed that continuing with the work during the treatment of multiple myeloma can help them to maintain some normalcy.

Vitamin D

There was one small study of 32 people post myeloma treatment who have found that 59% of people had a Vitamin D deficiency, 25% had insufficient folate and 6% were lack in Vitamin B12. This is a reason why you should add Vitamin D foods in your diet, such as egg yolks; sockeye salmon, tuna and sardines; fortified yogurt and milk; fortified orange. Also, you can get the Vitamin D from the sunlight.

Fiber

If you have a constipation caused by the chemotherapy, then you can boost the fiber in your diet. It can help your body to break down food and to clear out your bowels. The prune juice and water will help to keep things moving. Some good sources of fiber include vegetables, like broccoli, carrots, celery and artichokes; nuts and beans; oatmeal and other cereals; whole grains; dried fruits, like figs and prunes; fruits like apples and pears.

Vitamins and minerals

Your dietitian or doctor can suggest you to take a daily supplement to make you sure that you get enough nutrients to stay healthy. These can include folate, fish oil, Vitamin D and iron. You should not start taking any supplements without asking your doctor first. Some supplements can affect how well your treatment works.

Foods to avoid

You should avoid undercooked eggs or foods containing them, such as cookie dough. You should avoid raw sprouts. You should avoid unpasteurized dairy. You should avoid deli meats that have not been reheated to a safe internal temperature. You should avoid raw or undercooked, seafood and poultry.

Eat a healthy and balanced diet

It is very important to maintain a balanced and healthy diet, if you want to fight against diseases, especially the multiple myeloma. This is one of the most effective ways to fight against the multiple myeloma. You should not stop using any kind of food unless your doctor had said it. You should keep your protein label under control so this can help you to get rid of or take a control over multiple myeloma problems.

Bland foods

If you suffer from diarrhea, then your doctor can tell you to eat a low – fiber diet which is known as BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce and toast). Also, you can drink broth and a lot of water, so you will stay hydrated. If you have mouth sores, then you can try foods which are easy to swallow, such as mashed potatoes and pudding. You should avoid spicy foods which can irritate your tongue and mouth.

Eat foods rich in iron

It is known that the cancer cells which build up in the bone marrow may crowd out the healthy blood cells. This could lead to a shortage of red blood cells, which is called anemia. If this happens, then you should eat more iron – rich foods in your diet. It is very important to know that there are two types of iron: heme iron and non – heme iron. Plant foods provide non – heme iron while the animal – based foods provide heme iron. You should know tha the heme iron is more readily absorbed by the body. If the person has low iron levels, then he or she should take an iron supplement and the foods rich in iron can help. The best sources of heme iron include sardines, red meat, liver and clams. The best sources of non – heme iron include spinach and other leafy greens; nuts; lentils; chickpeas and beans. The affected person should be sure to include sources of Vitamin C with non – heme iron in their diet because this can help to improve the absorption. Some examples include lemon juice, berries, oranges and bell peppers.

Vitamin B12

This vitamin works together with the folate to form red blood cells. The deficiency in Vitamin B12 can decrease the bone marrow’s ability to make and maintain red blood cells in people who have multiple myeloma. You should add foods which are rich in Vitamin B12 in your diet, such as beef; nutritional yeast; liver; fortified non – dairy milk, such as soy milk, flax milk or almond milk; calms; fortified breakfast cereals; dairy; eggs; poultry and fish.

Avoid foods which can lead to kidney damage

It is known fact that people who have multiple myeloma can develop kidney damage. The breakdown of bone is releasing high amounts of calcium and protein in the bloodstream which is making the kidneys to work harder to filter out. As the kidney function declines, those people with multiple myeloma may need to limit their intake of potassium, phosphorus and fluids. Some foods which are high in potassium and which you should avoid include tomatoes, citrus, bananas, avocadoes, spinach and other leafy greens. Some foods which are high in phosphorus and you should avoid are: nuts and sunflower seeds; oats; bran cereals; whole – grain bread. Those people who do not suffer from multiple myeloma can use foods high in potassium and phosphorus because they are not harmful. But, for people whose kidneys cannot filter out these minerals, a build – up of potassium and phosphorus can be dangerous. The doctor will check the kidney function of someone who suffers from multiple myeloma so he or she can tell if the potassium or phosphorus needs to be monitored.

Greens

It is known that fruits and vegetables are rich in antioxidants and they can help your body to rebuild itself. Also, they can fight against the constipation, which is a side effect of pain medicine and some cancer treatments. Your doctor may tell you to eat cooked fruits and vegetables. There are some cases when the raw products can increase your chances of having an infection, which is dangerous when the multiple myeloma or its treatments have made your immune system weaker.

Maintain a strong support system

It is very important to have a strong immune system because this can help you to cope with issues and anxieties which may happen. You can ask for help from your family and friends because they can help you to deal with the condition as best as you can. Also, you can find a support from a formal support group or others who are coping multiple myeloma. Also, you can find a support group online.

Folate

We know that the folate is a B vitamin which can help with the formation of red and white blood cells in the bone marrow. Some foods which are rich in folate include: spinach; beans (cooked from dried); broccoli; lentils; black – eyed peas; beef liver; asparagus.

References:

Signs and Symptoms of Multiple Myeloma. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/multiple-myeloma/detection-diagnosis-staging/signs-symptoms.html . Published February 28, 2018

Multiple myeloma. https://www.cancercenter.com/cancer-types/multiple-myeloma/symptoms . Published June 17, 2019

Signs and Symptoms of Multiple Myeloma. https://www.healthline.com/health/cancer/multiple-myeloma-signs-symptoms . Published April 16, 2019

Multiple Myeloma. https://www.medicinenet.com/multiple_myeloma/article.htm . Published May 9, 2019