Cancer Nutrition: Why Gut Health Matters

When it comes to cancer care, nutrition plays a bigger role than most people realize. Samara Mahindra, founder of CARER’s Integrative & Holistic Program for Cancer, strongly believes that healing begins with the gut. As she says, “I truly believe that all diseases begin in your mind and in your digestive system, in your gut. We often ignore the importance of our digestion and our gut, and it is something we don’t really talk about.”

Gut and Immunity

Over 70% of our immunity lies in our gut. This means how we digest food directly affects how strong our immune system is. Samara explains,

“There is a direct correlation between how our digestion system is functioning and our immune system.”

A healthy gut also contains 10 times more health-determining bacteria than the rest of our body, making it central to recovery and prevention.

Why Digestion Should Be Monitored

Samara emphasizes, “Digestion is number one. Please do not focus on anything else, just focus on what’s going on with the digestion.” She urges patients to monitor bowel movements, as constipation or irregularity can signal deeper health concerns.

Three Keys to Better Gut Health

• Fiber & Hydration: Whole fruits, vegetables, greens, and adequate water help flush toxins and keep digestion smooth.
• Probiotics & Prebiotics:  Foods like yogurt, kefir, kimchi, garlic, and onions maintain the balance of good bacteria in the gut.
• Mindful Eating: Observing how your body reacts to food and digestion can reveal early signs of imbalance.

Healing Through Gut Health: CARER’S Approach

CARER’s program integrates personalized nutrition therapy, with gut health at its core. By supporting digestion, the body’s natural defense system grows stronger, making treatment more effective.

As Samara reminds us, “Your gut is an incredible indicator of what’s going on inside your body.” Mindfulness can be the first step toward better healing.