It seems like everyone is searching for that secret ingredient that will conquer the disease, but does it really exist?

What does science say?

Some natural remedies do show promising results. Among them, vitamin D, curcumin (the main active ingredient in turmeric, a spice used for soups and curries), beta-glucan (a natural sugar found in mushrooms and oats), fish oil, and various medicinal herbs are often mentioned. Scientists primarily research these ingredients as supportive of conventional treatment, not as a replacement.

A recent study published in 2023 in the professional journal Nutrients showed that people with higher levels of vitamin D in their blood at the time of cancer diagnosis often live longer. But it is important to emphasize: it was a supportive effect, not a cure. Science clearly distinguishes between aiding the body and curing the disease.

The same applies to curcumin, which has a strong impact on reducing inflammation and the growth of cancer cells in laboratory experiments. However, when it comes to humans, this effect significantly diminishes because the body quickly breaks down curcumin and only a small amount reaches the bloodstream. To have an effect, it would need to be ingested in a special form - with black pepper or in microcapsule form. But even this is not a cure, but an assistant.

Beware of miracles

When you find yourself in distress, you are vulnerable, and some know how to exploit that. Abroad, especially in the USA, the Quackery Advisory Board has been established to warn people against dangerous scams. These are the stories you often see online or in emails. Something like: Pharmacists don't want you to know this! or This plant kills cancer cells in 48 hours!

These headlines are appealing but have no scientific basis. Moreover, they can be dangerous. Our parents taught us that not everything that glitters is gold. This especially applies in times of illness.

Let's look at some known cases where things went too far.

Apricot kernels and the danger called amygdalin

Amygdalin is a substance found in apricot kernels, peaches, and other stone fruits. Many call it vitamin B17, although it is not really a vitamin. More than 100 years ago, it was promoted in Russia as a cancer remedy, and under the name laetrile, it became popular in the 1960s. The idea was that it would turn into toxic cyanide in the body, which would only kill cancer cells.

It sounds logical until we know that cyanide is deadly even to healthy cells. In reality, numerous poisonings have already been recorded due to amygdalin. One such story was published in Case Reports in Emergency Medicine in 2023. It was about a 73-year-old woman with pancreatic cancer who refused chemotherapy and took 1500 mg of amygdalin daily. In a few days, she experienced severe poisoning: nausea, confusion, pain, palpitations... She was saved only when given an antidote - a high dose of vitamin B12 at the hospital.

Although apricot kernels are entirely natural, not everything natural is also safe.

Graviola - a tropical beast with two faces

Graviola, which grows in Central and South America, has soft, greenish fruits and is also known as soursop. It is often praised online as a plant that kills 12 kinds of cancer. Some laboratory studies have shown that it contains certain substances, such as acetogenins and alkaloids, that affect cancer cells.

However, these studies also revealed something else: these substances are neurotoxic, meaning they can harm the nervous system. A review study from 2017 in The Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences warned that people who regularly consumed graviola experienced symptoms similar to Parkinson's disease.

The same applies here: some benefits in the laboratory do not necessarily mean it will benefit patients.

Baking soda - more harm than good

One of the more bizarre theories that has been circulating online for years is that cancer arises due to the body's acidity and can be cured by alkalizing - using baking soda. The theory originates from the work of German scientist Otto Warburg, who studied how cancer cells feed.

However, the body has an extremely precise system for regulating pH values that cannot be easily alkalized with a few teaspoons of baking soda. When a person consumes too much baking soda, metabolic alkalosis can occur. This is a dangerous condition where the blood has an overly basic pH. It can lead to muscle cramps, confusion, irregular heartbeat, even kidney failure.

Medical literature documents several cases of hospitalizations due to self-treatment with baking soda.

Why do people believe?

When we seek hope, we are ready to believe many things. And since the internet is full of real testimonies, false hope quickly spreads. These stories often include seemingly serious sources, but they are stories without real foundations.

Or they are not told in full...

It is important to be able to distinguish between genuine hope and empty promises.

What about herbs and traditional knowledge?

It's not all black and white. Folk medicine offers a wealth of valuable knowledge. For example, the Reishi mushroom has long been considered the mushroom of immortality in the Far East. Today, it is scientifically confirmed that it can strengthen the immune system.

The same goes for the astragalus root, garlic, ginger, chamomile, and many other plants that can help alleviate the side effects of chemotherapy, such as nausea, fatigue, or insomnia.

The key difference is that they are used as supplements, not as a replacement for treatment.

What do experts recommend?

Experts recommend consulting a doctor or pharmacist before using any supplements - even natural ones. Some herbs and supplements can interfere with the action of medications, cause allergic reactions, or even reduce the effectiveness of treatment.

Additionally, dietary supplements are not subject to the same strict scrutiny as medications. They can be sold by anyone, from anywhere, without verifying the source, purity, or actual content. According to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), there are more than 30,000 different dietary supplements circulating in the EU alone, but only a few are scientifically evaluated.

Final thought

There is no miraculous cure for cancer, one that is simple, natural, inexpensive, and without side effects (for now). However, there are ways to naturally support yourself and act as a complement to treatment, not a substitute. This includes a healthy diet, exercise, quality sleep, emotional support, and in some cases, herbs that have been known for centuries.

But one must be very cautious when someone offers solutions that seem too good to be true. Trust verified information, talk to a doctor, and do not fall for those who seek to profit from your distress.