Podcast Summary: "How My Mom Reversed Cancer Naturally (After Chemo Failed)"
The Dr. Josh Axe Show | Released April 21, 2025

In this compelling episode of The Dr. Josh Axe Show, Dr. Josh Axe delves deep into the intricate subject of natural cancer healing. Drawing from personal experiences, scientific research, and holistic practices, Dr. Axe offers a comprehensive guide on reversing cancer naturally, highlighting his mother's remarkable recovery story after conventional treatments failed.

1. Introduction to Natural Cancer Healing

Dr. Axe opens the episode by emphasizing the complexity of cancer and the limitations of mainstream medicine. While conventional approaches often rely on aggressive treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, Dr. Axe advocates for a holistic perspective that views cancer as a systemic disease influenced by various bodily imbalances.

[00:45] Dr. Josh Axe: "From a holistic perspective, cancer is a systemic disease. It's about imbalances in our body, such as mitochondrial health, metabolism, detoxification, and immune function."

2. A Personal Journey: Dr. Axe’s Mother’s Battle with Cancer

Sharing a deeply personal narrative, Dr. Axe recounts his mother's initial diagnosis with breast cancer during his junior high years. Despite undergoing extensive chemotherapy, her condition worsened, leading to numerous chronic health issues. However, motivated by a desire to find a better way, Dr. Axe dedicated his career to natural healing methods.

[02:30] Dr. Josh Axe: "There has to be a better way. I want to help people like my mom heal, and I want to find a better way to help them heal."

Eventually, Dr. Axe and his mother adopted a natural regimen that combined dietary changes, herbal supplements, and spiritual practices. Remarkably, her tumors shrank by 50% within four months, leading to complete remission after nine months. Today, she remains healthy and vibrant, enjoying life in her 70s.

[08:15] Dr. Josh Axe: "If you're a person that has been diagnosed with cancer, know that it's not a death sentence. Your body has an amazing capacity to heal."

3. Understanding the Root Causes of Cancer

Dr. Axe explores the multifaceted causes of cancer, challenging the notion that it is primarily a genetic disease. He cites research indicating that 90-95% of cancers are linked to lifestyle, environmental factors, and metabolic dysfunction.

Key Factors:

• Insulin Resistance & Sugar Intake: High blood sugar levels feed cancer cells, a phenomenon known as the Warburg effect.

  [14:20] Dr. Josh Axe: "High blood sugar feeds cancer cells. If you are insulin resistant, your chance of getting cancer goes up dramatically."

• Lack of Oxygen: Cancer cells thrive in hypoxic (low oxygen) environments, making oxygenation therapies crucial.

  [16:10] Dr. Josh Axe: "Cancer cells thrive in low oxygen environments and use fermentation instead of oxygen to grow."

• Toxin Overload: Exposure to heavy metals, pesticides, radiation, and mold can overload the body’s detoxification systems.

• Chronic Inflammation & Oxidative Stress: These conditions damage DNA and promote tumor growth.

• Mitochondrial Dysfunction: Damaged mitochondria lead to uncontrolled cell growth, positioning cancer as a metabolic disease.

• Emotional Trauma & Stress: Dr. Axe posits that unresolved emotional and spiritual issues can weaken the immune system, increasing cancer risk.

• Weakened Immune System: Ineffective natural killer (NK) cells fail to eliminate abnormal cells, allowing cancer to proliferate.

4. Top Diets for Healing Cancer

Dr. Axe introduces several dietary frameworks that have shown promise in combating cancer naturally, emphasizing personalization based on cancer type.

a. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Diet

Focuses on cleansing the liver, enhancing detoxification, and strengthening the immune system through:

• High intake of green vegetables and bitter foods (e.g., dandelion greens, broccoli)
• Inclusion of garlic, onion, and ginger to support immune function
• Limited animal products, primarily wild-caught fish and bone broth
• Herbal teas like green tea rich in catechins

[27:50] Dr. Josh Axe: "The TCM diet is very personalized and typically focuses on healing the liver and the immune system."

b. Gerson Therapy

A nutrient-dense regimen emphasizing raw and steamed vegetables, raw liver juice, and fruit:

• Freshly pressed vegetable juices consumed multiple times daily
• Raw liver or liver supplements for B vitamins and detoxification
• Coffee enemas to support liver cleansing

[34:20] Dr. Josh Axe: "Gerson Therapy floods the body with nutrients and focuses on detoxifying pathways, making it one of the most effective natural cancer therapies."

c. Budwig Protocol

Developed by Dr. Joanna Budwig, this diet enhances cellular oxygenation and mitochondrial health through:

• A mixture of flaxseed oil and ground flaxseed meal with fermented dairy (e.g., cottage cheese)
• High intake of omega-3 fatty acids from sources like flaxseeds and walnuts

[42:15] Dr. Josh Axe: "The Budwig Protocol combines flaxseed oil with fermented dairy to create a lipoprotein complex that enhances cellular oxygenation."

d. Ketogenic Diet

A high-fat, moderate-protein, low-carbohydrate diet that starves cancer cells by depriving them of glucose:

• Promotes ketosis, where the body uses ketones instead of glucose for energy
• Shown to improve survival rates in brain cancer patients by reducing inflammation and tumor growth

[49:30] Dr. Josh Axe: "A ketogenic diet starves cancer cells by removing sugar as a fuel source, making it an effective adjunctive cancer treatment."

e. Vegan Diet

While not Dr. Axe’s primary recommendation, a well-planned vegan diet rich in organic vegetables and fruits can reduce toxin load and support liver function.

[53:10] Dr. Josh Axe: "A vegan diet can be effective for cancer prevention and healing, especially when combined with nutrient-dense practices like the Gerson Therapy."

5. Cancer-Fighting Foods

Dr. Axe highlights specific foods renowned for their anti-cancer properties:

• Berries: Rich in polyphenols and anthocyanins that reduce oxidative stress.
• Pomegranates: Block tumor growth and reduce estrogen-related cancer risks.
• Cruciferous Vegetables: Contain compounds like indole-3-carbinol that detoxify the body.
• Wild-Caught Fish (e.g., Sockeye Salmon): High in omega-3 fatty acids that reduce inflammatory markers.
• Mushrooms (Reishi, Shiitake, Maitake, Turkey Tail): Boost NK cell production and enhance cellular communication.

[60:45] Dr. Josh Axe: "Berries support DNA repair and have anti-cancer properties. Pomegranates are my single favorite superfruit for fighting cancer."

6. Herbs and Supplements

Dr. Axe recommends a range of herbal and supplemental interventions to bolster the body’s natural defenses against cancer:

• Green Tea: Contains EGCG, which inhibits cancer cell growth.
• Reishi and Turkey Tail Mushrooms: Enhance NK cell activity and are approved in Japan for cancer therapy.
• Mistletoe: Boosts T cell function and may reduce tumor growth.
• Milk Thistle: Supports liver detoxification and regulates excess estrogen.
• Turmeric (Curcumin): Kills cancer cells and reduces inflammation.
• Artemisia: Cleanses the blood and selectively kills cancer cells.
• Astragalus: Enhances immune function and white blood cell activity.
• Probiotics: Strengthen the gut microbiome, which is integral to immune health.

[72:30] Dr. Josh Axe: "Green tea's EGCG inhibits cancer cell growth and blocks angiogenesis, preventing metastatic cancer spread."

7. Advanced Therapies for Cancer Prevention

Beyond diet and herbs, Dr. Axe discusses several advanced therapies that can complement natural healing:

• Ozone Therapy: Increases oxygen delivery and kills co-infections like mold and parasites.
• Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: Enhances tissue oxygenation, leading to cancer cell death.
• Whole Body Hyperthermia: Uses heat to mimic fever, activating the immune system and weakening tumors.
• Vitamin C IVs: Acts as a pro-oxidant to selectively damage cancer cells.
• Immunotherapy (e.g., Immunosine, NK Cell Therapy): Enhances the body’s ability to target and destroy cancer cells.
• Red Light Therapy & Photobiomodulation: Supports cellular repair and cancer prevention.

[85:50] Dr. Josh Axe: "Hyperbaric oxygen therapy increases oxygen saturation in your tissues, which is lethal to cancer cells thriving in hypoxic environments."

8. The Crucial Role of Spirituality and Mental Health

Dr. Axe underscores the often-overlooked spiritual and emotional aspects of cancer healing. He believes that emotional trauma, stress, and lack of spiritual connection can weaken the immune system, making the body more susceptible to cancer.

Key Practices:

• Prayer and Meditation: Promote mental peace, reduce cortisol levels, and strengthen immune function.
• Visualization: Helps in manifesting healing by focusing the mind on positive outcomes.
• Stress Reduction: Lowering stress hormones like cortisol can inhibit cancer progression.
• Connection with Nature: Enhances overall well-being and aids in cellular healing.

[110:20] Dr. Josh Axe: "Prayer and faith not only provide emotional and spiritual healing but also strengthen the immune system, giving your body a better chance to fight cancer."

Dr. Axe shares several Bible verses his mother meditated upon, reinforcing the belief that faith can play a pivotal role in healing.

[116:45] Dr. Josh Axe: "Jeremiah 30:17 declares, 'I will restore you to health and heal your wounds.' Faith is a powerful component in the healing process."

9. Key Principles for Cancer Prevention and Healing

Dr. Axe encapsulates his teachings into actionable principles for listeners looking to prevent or heal from cancer naturally:

1. Balanced Blood Sugar: Maintain insulin levels to prevent feeding cancer cells.
2. Detoxification: Reduce toxin exposure and support liver function.
3. Cell Oxygenation: Enhance oxygen flow to cells through diet and therapies.
4. Mitochondrial Health: Support cellular energy and metabolism.
5. Immune Support: Strengthen the immune system to eliminate abnormal cells.
6. Emotional and Spiritual Well-being: Address mental health and foster spiritual connections.

[125:30] Dr. Josh Axe: "Optimizing blood sugar, reducing toxicity, oxygenating cells, supporting mitochondrial health, and strengthening your immune system are pillars of natural cancer healing."

10. Conclusion and Call to Action

Dr. Axe concludes by encouraging listeners to adopt a holistic approach combining diet, herbs, advanced therapies, and spiritual practices to enhance their body’s natural healing abilities. He emphasizes that while these methods significantly improve the chances of healing, they are not absolute guarantees. Nonetheless, embracing these principles can lead to improved health, longevity, and overall well-being.

[138:00] Dr. Josh Axe: "Nothing in life is an absolute guarantee except for knowing that God loves you. Do your best with these strategies to give your body the best chance to heal."

He invites listeners to share their experiences, favorite cancer-fighting foods, and personal insights on social media, fostering a community dedicated to beating cancer together.

Notable Quotes:

• On Holistic Cancer Understanding:

  [00:45] "Cancer is a systemic disease. It's about imbalances in our body."

• On Personal Motivation:

  [02:30] "I want to help people like my mom heal, and I want to find a better way to help them heal."

• On Prayer and Faith:

  [110:20] "Prayer and faith not only provide emotional and spiritual healing but also strengthen the immune system."

Final Thoughts:

This episode serves as both an inspiring personal story and a scientific exploration of natural cancer healing methods. Dr. Josh Axe effectively bridges the gap between traditional medicine and holistic practices, providing listeners with practical strategies and hope. Whether you are seeking to prevent cancer or support a loved one through recovery, the insights shared by Dr. Axe offer a comprehensive roadmap to harnessing the body’s innate healing capabilities.