NATUROPATHIC DOCTOR IN ONTARIO
Nausea: A Root-Cause Approach To Support During Chemotherapy
How To Deal With Nausea Due To Chemotherapy
Nausea Due To Chemotherapy
If you or a loved one are undergoing chemotherapy, you know the battle isn’t just with cancer – it’s often with the side effects that come with treatment. Among the most challenging and life-altering is chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV).
At Sequence Wellness, we frequently meet patients who feel like they are merely surviving their treatment cycles. They’re taking standard anti-emetic medications – which are essential, but still experience breakthrough nausea, loss of appetite, food aversions, and deep fatigue driven by a digestive system under constant stress.
This is where a more comprehensive, root-cause support strategy can make a meaningful difference.
Understanding the “Why” Behind the Queasiness
While it’s common to hear “the chemo causes nausea,” the reality is far more complex. CINV is the result of a disrupted communication loop between the gut and the brain.
Chemotherapy irritates specialized cells in the digestive lining called enterochromaffin (EC) cells. In response, these cells release large amounts of serotonin, which activates the vagus nerve—the primary communication pathway between the gut and the brain’s vomiting center.
The result is a nervous system locked in a state of high alert, often leading to:
Acute nausea – occurring within hours of treatment
Delayed nausea – peaking 2–3 days later
Anticipatory nausea – a conditioned response where even the smell or sight of the clinic triggers symptoms
Understanding this pathway allows us to move beyond symptom suppression toward meaningful physiological support.
The Sequence Wellness Approach: Support, Not Just Suppression
Our goal is not to override your body’s signals, but to improve resilience within the systems affected by chemotherapy, helping you move through treatment with greater comfort and quality of life.
Here’s how we approach the puzzle.
Calming the Vagus Nerve (The Communication Line)
Because the vagus nerve is a primary driver of nausea, we use both bottom-up and top-down strategies to soothe its signaling.
Acupuncture and Acupressure
Stimulation of the P6 (Neiguan) point on the inner wrist has been shown in clinical research to reduce nausea signaling to the brain. This gentle intervention is widely used in integrative oncology settings.
Mind-Body Vagal Toning
Targeted breathing techniques and nervous-system regulation practices help shift the body out of “threat mode” and into a state that supports digestion, repair, and recovery.
Gut Lining Protection (The Root Site)
Patients are often told to “just eat whatever you can.” While calories are important, how and when you eat becomes critical when the gut is inflamed.
Small and Frequent Meals
We help structure eating patterns that prevent the stomach from becoming overly full—or completely empty—both of which can trigger waves of nausea.
Temperature and Sensory Awareness
Room-temperature or cool foods tend to emit fewer odors, making them easier to tolerate when smell sensitivity is high.
Nutritional Pacing (How You Eat Matters)
The gastrointestinal lining is one of the most vulnerable tissues during chemotherapy. Supporting it—without interfering with treatment efficacy—is essential.
Therapeutic Ginger
This goes far beyond ginger candy or soda. We use standardized, high-potency gingerol extracts, which act locally in the gut as natural serotonin antagonists and have demonstrated benefit in CINV when used appropriately.
Intentional Hydration Strategies
Plain water can sometimes feel heavy or nauseating. We often recommend mineral-rich, electrolyte-balanced fluids that support cellular energy and hydration without overwhelming the stomach.
Your Personalized Support Plan
Every chemotherapy regimen is different—and every patient’s nausea threshold is unique. At Sequence Wellness, we don’t believe in generic handouts or one-size-fits-all protocols.
During a consultation, we build a Pre-Chemo, During-Chemo, and Recovery-Phase plan tailored to your treatment schedule, symptom pattern, and constitution. We work collaboratively with your oncology team to ensure all natural interventions are safe, evidence-informed, and fully supportive of your primary treatment.
Are You Ready to Change How You Experience Treatment?
Support during chemotherapy should be about more than getting through it—it should be about preserving strength, nourishment, and dignity along the way.
Dr. Mariia Tanasyshyn, Naturopathic Doctor
Dr. Mariia Tanasyshyn, ND, is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor in Ontario with a rare and valuable dual background. Before completing her naturopathic medical training at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, Dr. Mariia earned her Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree in Ukraine, where she trained extensively in internal medicine. Although she is not practicing as a medical doctor in Ontario, her medical education provides a deep understanding of complex health conditions and allows her to interpret symptoms, labs, and diagnoses through a uniquely integrative lens.
Now fully licensed as a naturopathic doctor (ND) under the College of Naturopaths of Ontario (CONO), she offers evidence-informed, patient-centered care that blends the strengths of both medical and naturopathic approaches. Her visits are not covered by OHIP, but may be reimbursed through extended health insurance like other naturopathic services.
Dr. Mariia is passionate about helping patients feel heard, informed, and empowered. She prioritizes clear communication, shared decision-making, and creating personalized treatment plans that meet her patients where they are.
Patients often seek out Dr. Mariia when they are looking for health care answers and support. These patients often don’t have access to a family doctor, or they are receiving inadequate care from their GP.
Fluent in English, Ukrainian, and Polish, Dr. Mariia is committed to accessible, compassionate care for individuals and families across Ontario through secure virtual visits.
