This episode of Integrative Cancer Solutions Dr. Karlfeldt features Dr. Soma Sengupta, a neuro-oncologist with a background in Ayurvedic medicine, as she shares her journey into integrative oncology and the importance of a holistic approach to cancer care. Dr. Sengupta discusses how her family’s tradition in Ayurvedic medicine and her own experiences in neurology inspired her to bridge traditional and integrative therapies, ultimately leading her to a fellowship at the Andrew Weil Integrative Medicine Center. 

Dr. Soma Sengupta emphasizes that addressing the whole patient—including nutrition, mindfulness, and exercise—can significantly improve treatment outcomes and quality of life. A central theme of the conversation is the integration of traditional and modern medical practices. Dr. Sengupta and the host explore the challenges and benefits of combining these approaches, highlighting the need for team-based, multidisciplinary care that involves patients, families, and survivorship programs. Dr. Sengupta shares personal anecdotes about her patients, illustrating how integrative care can foster hope, emotional resilience, and lasting connections with families even after treatment ends. The discussion delves into the foundational components of integrative care, with Dr. Sengupta outlining various dietary strategies such as the ketogenic, Mediterranean, and plant-based diets. She stresses the importance of personalizing these approaches to fit each patient’s preferences and lifestyle, as well as the necessity for longer patient visits to address lifestyle and treatment comprehensively. 

The conversation also covers the careful use of supplements and the need to consider potential drug interactions during clinical trials and standard treatments. Herbal and botanical therapies, including Boswellia and turmeric, are examined for their roles in neuro-oncology, with Dr. Sengupta sharing her experiences in using these remedies to manage symptoms like brain edema and reduce steroid use. She also discusses the financial and insurance challenges patients may face when accessing these therapies. The episode highlights Dr. Sengupta’s research interests, particularly the interaction between cancer cells and the nervous system, and the potential of fungal mycelium and new agents targeting GABA receptors in cancer treatment. 

In the final segments, Dr. Sengupta discusses the future of oncology, emphasizing the promise of personalized medicine, immunotherapy, and the microbiome in improving patient outcomes. She shares her enthusiasm for the potential of mushrooms and fungi, such as lion’s mane and reishi, in enhancing immune function and reducing side effects of cancer treatment. The episode concludes with a call for continued collaboration and integration of traditional and modern medicine, underscoring the importance of a comprehensive, patient-centered approach to cancer care.

• Dr. Soma Sengupta shares her journey from traditional neuro-oncology to integrative medicine, inspired by her family's Ayurvedic background and patient needs.
• She emphasizes the importance of holistic care, including nutrition, mindfulness, and exercise, to improve cancer treatment outcomes.
• The discussion covers the integration of traditional and modern therapies, such as the ketogenic and Mediterranean diets, and the use of supplements and botanicals like Boswellia.
• Dr. Sengupta highlights her research on the interaction between cancer cells and the nervous system, and the potential of mushrooms and fungi in cancer care.
• The episode concludes with a focus on personalized medicine, the promise of immunotherapy, and the value of combining traditional wisdom with modern science for patient-centered oncology.

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Integrative Cancer Solutions was created to instill hope and empowerment. Other people have been where you are right now and have already done the research for you. Listen to their stories and journeys and apply what they learned to achieve similar outcomes as they have, cancer remission and an even more fullness of life than before the diagnosis. Guests will discuss what therapies, supplements, and practitioners they relied on to beat cancer. Once diagnosed, time is of the essence. This podcast will dramatically reduce your learning curve as you search for your own solution to cancer. To learn more about the cutting-edge integrative cancer therapies Dr. Karlfeldt offer at his center, please visit www.TheKarlfeldtCenter.com