Dr. Susan B. Kowalsky, N.D.
Treating Cancer with Mushrooms Mushrooms have been used in Asia for thousands of years for treating cancer and other medical conditions. Over the past thirty years scientific research has confirmed the health benefits of using certain mushrooms to treat cancer. Coriolus Versicolor Mushroom Most of the mushroom research has focused on Coriolus versicolor, also known as Turkey Tail mushroom. Coriolus versicolor belongs to the family of Polyporaceae, which includes many of the important mushrooms used in traditional medicines. Coriolus is a tough fibrous mushroom that grows on rotting wood. It would be edible if it were not for its cork-like consistency. It is distinguishable by its surface rings like that of a tree stump, and the fan of spores sometimes resembles the tail of a turkey, hence its name. Hundreds of studies, including over two dozen patient clinical trials, have been conducted since the early 1970’s investigating Coriolus’ anti-cancer affects. The two strains of Coriolus versicolor that have been studied, identified as PSK and PSP, contain its most therapeutic ingredient beta-glucan. Coriolus versicolor supports the immune system in a variety of ways, It can also reduce tumor angiogenesis (blood supply) and inhibit the growth of cancer tumors directly. Studies also show its ability to decrease the side effects of both chemotherapy and radiation treatments, while increasing the survival and quality of life of those patients. Coriolus mushroom extracts have been repeatedly and comprehensively studied as a treatment for stomach cancer. Over fifteen studies involving thousands of stomach cancer patients have confirmed that PSK and PSP increase patient survival enhance immunity and decrease symptoms. Other types of cancer that have been studied and also show evidence of therapeutic benefit from Coriolus include colorectal cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, esophageal cancer, leukemia, nasopharyngeal cancer, ovarian and endometrial cancers. Maitake Mushrooms Maitake mushrooms are an edible fungus with a large fruiting body distinguished by their overlapping spores. For thousands of years, this rare mushroom has been prized in traditional Japanese medicine. It has a rippling form with no caps, growing in clusters at the foot of oak trees. Maitake mushrooms, also known as Grifola frondosa, have been studied scientifically to a more limited degree than the Coriolus versicolor mushroom. However, the preliminary research has indicated that in a variety of cancers Maitake mushrooms have significant anti-cancer abilities. Maitake mushrooms have been tested with solid tumors of the prostate, breast, lung, liver, brain, stomach, as well as in leukemia. The results of these small and uncontrolled clinical studies indicate that Maitake mushroom extracts can slow cancer progression, decrease cancer symptoms and decrease chemotherapy related side effects (hair loss, nausea and lowered white blood counts). Active Hexose Correlated Compound Active Hexose Correlated Compound (AHCC) is a combination of mushrooms, including the Shiitake mushroom, which has been studied in a variety of cancers. Most notably the AHCC research has shown promise in treating liver cancers. Two liver cancer studies have shown Active Hexose Correlated Compound to increase patient survival.
About Dr. Kowalsky Dr. Susan B. Kowalsky is a naturopathic physician specializing in cancer and chronic medical conditions. Dr. Kowalsky provides a responsible, rational and integrative approach to the treatment of cancer. Naturopathic medicines can help increase longevity, heighten quality of life and reduce the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation while enhancing their effectiveness. As a naturopathic doctor she is trained in both conventional medicine and natural therapies, providing her patients with the most holistic, integrative and effective medical care available.
Therapies Include: *Vitamins, Minerals & Amino Acids
The Highest Standard of Care "I provide strong guidance and caring medicine that foster hope and optimal health. I prescribe treatments based on the best scientific evidence available, while also developing a healing and supportive relationship with each patient. I adjust treatments to address the individual needs of each person based on mental, emotional and social factors as well as their physical health and symptoms. Only by really listening can a doctor understand the pieces of the puzzle that make up a patient's health concerns. I believe the highest standard of care can only happen when the doctor is totally dedicated and committed to your health -- Susan B. Kowalsky, N.D.
Credentials Dr. Kowalsky received her undergraduate degree at the University of Wisconsin and earned her doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from The National College of Naturopathic Medicine. Dr. Kowalsky completed her clinical internship at the Portland Naturopathic Clinic. She completed the Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examinations through the Oregon Board of Naturopathic Examiners and is a naturopathic physician licensed by the state of Vermont. She is a member of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians.
What is a Naturopathic Physician? Naturopathic physicians (N.D.s) are general practitioners trained as specialists in natural medicine. They are the only physicians with comprehensive medical training that includes a wide variety of natural therapeutics, such as herbal medicine, nutritional medicine, homeopathy, natural hormones, intravenous supplementation and physical medicine. Naturopathic physicians cooperate with all other branches of medical science, referring patients to other specialists for diagnosis or treatment when necessary. Health and disease come from a complex interaction of physical, emotional, dietary, genetic, and environmental, lifestyle and other factors. Naturopathic physicians treat the whole person, taking all these factors into account. Naturopathic physicians prefer non-invasive treatments which minimize the risks of harmful side-effects. Treatments are tailored to the needs of the individual patient based on a cogent philosophy that acknowledges the patient as participant. Naturopathic medical colleges are four-year postgraduate schools with admission requirements like those of conventional medical schools. Because the coursework in naturopathic theory and natural medicine is added to a standard medical curriculum, naturopathic doctors receive significantly more hours of classroom education than the graduates of leading medical schools, including Yale, Stanford, John Hopkins and Mayo medical schools. Patients are demanding evidence that medical practice be safe and effective. Natural medicine has been demonstrated to be both safe and effective through clinical studies and scientific evaluation. There are over 90,000 medical studies on complementary and alternative medicine, mostly from conventional medicine database resources. In fact, one textbook on naturopathic therapeutics references over 10,000 citations to peer-reviewed scientific literature documenting the efficacy of natural treatments.
To schedule an appointment or to request more information call: (802) 649-1064 16 Beaver Meadow Road Conveniently located near I-91 & I-89
DISCLAIMER: The information contained in the document and website is provided FOR INFORMATIONAL USE ONLY AND MAY NOT BE CONSTRUED, CONSIDERED OR USED IN PLACE OF MEDICAL ADVICE OR INSTRUCTION. No action should be taken based only on this newsletter. Readers should consult a licensed naturopathic physician or medical doctor. The information and editorials in this newsletter are believed to be accurate, but readers who fail to consult with a physician assume the risk of injuries.
(C) Copyright 2002 - 2007 Susan B. Kowalsky, N.D. All rights reserved.
|