Naturopaths wary of boy's vegetable diet treatment

Naturopaths wary of boy's vegetable diet treatment

'If we practiced like that ... we would lose our licence,' doctor says of cancer therapy

Ciara Byrne
The Ottawa Citizen

Friday, July 27, 2007

The alternative treatment a Quebec family chose for their three-year-old son's cancer treatment may not be the best example of naturopathic medicine according to some naturopathic doctors.


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Anael L'Esperance-Nascimento will stop his chemotherapy treatment at CHEO for the cancerous cells in his brain and bone marrow. His parents have decided to undertake an alternative treatment.


The alternative treatment involves a diet of raw vegetables developed by Florida's Hippocrates Health Institute.


But some naturopathic doctors say the confusion between the many varieties of natural health care often gives naturopathic medicine a bad name.


"Part of the challenge for us is there are a lot of people that do natural medicine, but don't do naturopathic medicine,"said David Lescheid, a naturopathic doctor in Ottawa.


"If we practiced like that and we just used nutrition to treat a kid with cancer, we would lose our licence," said Mr. Lescheid.


The extensive licensing system for naturopathic doctors involves eight years of post-secondary schooling. Student need pre-requisites similar to that of medical schools to enter an accredited naturopathic college.


"We're looking for evidence-based research. It's not like we throw on our cauldron," said Jill Shainhouse, about one of the myths of alternative health care.


Ms. Shainhouse is a naturopathic doctor who specializes in oncology at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto.


"Some naturopathic doctors are very conventional and they treat in a very biochemical matter by giving a dose of therapeutic vitamins, minerals or other supplements," said Ms. Shainhouse, who treats her patients with intravenous vitamin C.


Both naturopathic doctors say they prefer to work with medical doctors for a holistic approach to health care.


"The college doesn't dismiss conventional care," said Ms. Shainhouse. "No one would ever discourage a patient from having chemotherapy or radiation therapy." Mr. Lescheid said conventional methods and the naturopathic methods are often used in tandem in the treatment of aggressive forms of cancer.


Neither doctor disputes the importance of diet, but they are apprehensive about endorsing the treatment, arguing it alone cannot cure disease.


"What they're trying to do is create an environment where these cancer cells will no longer uncontrollably divide. You hear amazing testimonials," said Mr. Lescheid about diet-based treatments, "but we'd never say it's the sole way to treat someone."

© The Ottawa Citizen 2007


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