Acute myeloid leukemia (or AML) is a type of cancer that produces mass abnormal cells within bone marrow. Patients are typically prescribed a combination of IDH inhibitors for AML combined with hypomethylating agents or standard chemotherapy. In addition to traditional medical treatments, many doctors also recommend the following natural remedies for managing AML symptoms, slowing cancer growth, and providing relief:

1) Acupuncture
Acupuncture has been utilized for thousands of years for managing a variety of diseases, including cancer. However, a 2017 study from China’s Medical University, found that acupuncture treatments on AML patients who underwent stem cell transplants, reduced pain so much that they required lower pain medication dosages during their treatments. 

2) Plant-based remedies
Naturopaths will often recommend plant remedies to ease the many painful symptoms of cancer and cancer treatment (i.e., chemotherapy). So while natural plant remedies won’t cure AML, they can help increase the success of chemotherapy drugs and even help to slow the progression of leukemia cells. For instance, a 2017 study published by Qatar’s Translational Research Institute, found that parthenolide chemicals in the feverfew plant aids in the destruction of leukemia cells, while preserving healthy blood cells in AML patients. 

3) Avoiding raw or undercooked foods
As mentioned, treatment for AML often includes immunotherapy via checkpoint and IDH inhibitors. However, patients taking immunosuppressants are at much higher risk of contracting a food-borne infection, specifically from undercooked foods. This is why it’s imperative to avoid consuming raw or uncooked dairy, eggs, meat, and thoroughly washing any raw vegetables and cooking them well when undergoing AML treatment. Additional safety concerning food handling and preparation should also be adhered to.  

4) Quitting smoking
Numerous medical studies link smoking with increased leukemia risk, which is why quitting smoking is imperative not only to prevent AML, but also for patients undergoing cancer treatment of any kind. A 2011 study conducted by Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, New York, found that smokers had an increased rate of pulmonary infection when undergoing chemotherapy for AML. The same study found that non-smokers remained infection free, and cancer free for much longer following chemotherapy treatment. 

5) Turmeric 
Turmeric has long been touted as a natural anti-inflammatory, which is why it’s long been used in combination with traditional medical treatments for arthritis and cancer. Curcumin, the active agent in turmeric, was pinpointed by a 2017 study from India’s Yenepoya Research Centre, as a promising natural treatment for leukemia. Researchers noted that curcumin acts to slow progression of AML by shrinking tumors and lowers many adverse side effects that are common with cancer treatment.