Helen Perks BSc.

08/12/2025

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A recent research paper looked at people with multiple myeloma and Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS) and found something important.

They produce significantly less urolithin A.

This is a compound your gut microbiota makes when you eat foods such as berries, pomegranates, and walnuts.

This matters because urolithin A supports:

🌿mitochondrial health (your cells’ energy engines)

🌿inflammation control (how your body calms internal stress)

🌿immune regulation (how your immune system responds and repairs)

People with MGUS and myeloma in the study had:

❗️higher inflammation

❗️poorer metabolic markers (how well the body handles energy)

❗️altered gut microbiota (the balance of bacteria that influence immunity and digestion)

This strengthens something many people are never told.

Your gut, your immunity, and your internal terrain all influence how your body responds to cancer.

Share in the comments how you support your gut microbiota, as it is VERY important to do so when lowering the risk of developing cancer, during active cancer, and post treatment.

RESPECT® Your Future by Nourishing Today.

Helen Perks BSc.
The Cancer Nutritionist
BSc Nutritional Medicine | Registered Nutritional Therapist
mBANT | rCNHC | Functional & Lifestyle Medicine Practitioner

📩 info@helenperks.com
🌐 www.helenperks.com

Instagram: Facebook: The Cancer Nutritionist
TikTok: The_Cancer_Nutritionist

07/12/2025

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Chemo and radiotherapy affect the gut lining, digestive enzymes, stomach acid, and the microbiome. None of this is your fault and none of this means your digestion cannot improve.

Three things that often help:

1. Warm, cooked meals to support gentle digestion and settle sensitivity.

2. Bitter foods before meals, such as rocket or lemon in warm water, to encourage digestive juices.

3. A simple routine of consistent mealtimes to support your gut clock and reduce bloating.

Let me know in the comments how your digestion is right now.

RESPECT® Your Future by Nourishing Today.

Helen Perks BSc.
The Cancer Nutritionist
BSc Nutritional Medicine | Registered Nutritional Therapist
mBANT | rCNHC | Functional & Lifestyle Medicine Practitioner

📩 info@helenperks.com
🌐 www.helenperks.com

Instagram: Facebook: The Cancer Nutritionist
TikTok: The_Cancer_Nutritionist

06/12/2025

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05/12/2025

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04/12/2025

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29/11/2025

If you are struggling with your health right now, this might speak to you.

🌿 Maybe you are dealing with menopausal symptoms that never seem to settle no matter what you try.

🌿 Maybe your cholesterol has gone up even though you eat well and exercise.

🌿 Maybe your digestion has become unpredictable and you are living with bloating, discomfort, or irritable bowel symptoms that no one has really explained.

🌿 Maybe anxiety, fatigue, thyroid issues, ADHD, skin problems, or poor sleep are affecting your daily life.

🌿 Maybe you have been told your bloods are “normal” but you do not feel normal.

🌿 Or maybe you have cancer or are supporting someone through cancer and want to understand what you can safely do alongside treatment.

This is the part where many people feel stuck. They go back and forth to their GP, receive tests, have medication adjusted, but still do not feel like themselves. The NHS is incredible, but it can only deal with the tip of the iceberg. My work looks below the surface, because as we all know, the real size of an iceberg is hidden, and the same is true for the deeper reasons behind your symptoms.

I am Helen, a Functional and Lifestyle Medicine Practitioner trained with the Institute for Functional Medicine, a
Registered Nutritional Therapist with a Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Medicine, and I have also passed with merit the postgraduate Systems Approach to Cancer programme with a world renowned integrative oncologist. I’m known as The Cancer Nutritionist, but I do not only work with cancer.

Over the last twelve years in clinical practice, I have worked with clients across the UK and internationally who were not getting the answers they needed. Although I am based in Thaxted, all of my consultations are online at a time that suits you.

People hire me when they want someone to look at their whole health story, not just one number on a blood test. I am trained to interpret full blood panels and oncology reports, so I can explain what they mean and how they relate to your symptoms and recovery, and what may be missing.

Right now I am supporting:

👨 Someone who is slim, fit, and eats a nutrient dense diet who has type two diabetes that is clearly not driven by food. They want to understand and address the root causes of their blood sugar dysregulation.

👩 Someone with long term urticaria and itchy skin who has been on daily antihistamines for thirty years. They want to find and address the underlying reasons their body is reacting.

👥 Several clients with thyroid issues, autoimmune symptoms, IBS, anxiety, and chronic fatigue who want to understand why their symptoms developed and how to improve their quality of life.

🫂 People living with cancer who want to support their immune system, digestion, sleep, inflammation, and wellbeing safely alongside treatment.

My role is never to diagnose, my role is to look at the root cause or causes, to understand how someone arrived where they are today, to work in partnership with the NHS, not instead of it, and to request the right GP tests and referrals at the right time, and I have 100% success record when doing so.

Every plan I create is personalised because every person’s health story is different. When people work with me, they get time, attention, and a clear strategy that makes sense.

If you recognise yourself in any of this and want support that looks at the whole picture, you are welcome to reach out.

I am CNHC registered, which means my work is accredited by the Professional Standards Authority. In simple terms, I meet national standards for safety and practice, and this allows me to work in partnership with the NHS. GPs and consultants can refer to CNHC practitioners because we are recognised within the wider healthcare framework. I am also a member of BANT and the Society of Integrative Oncology.

If you recognise yourself in any of this and want support that looks at the whole picture, you are welcome to reach out.

You can DM me or book a free twenty minute call here:

https://helenperks.com

January is always my busiest month, and it makes sense, because many people decide that the new year is the moment they want to take their health seriously and finally do something for themselves. If you know that you want to start addressing your health in January 2026, I recommend booking your free twenty minute call now, simply so you are not waiting until February or March to get started.

I also deliver fun and interactive workplace workshops and talks for community groups, whether that is antenatal groups, local wellbeing groups, or any group that wants practical, evidence based health support.

I look forward to meeting you.

RESPECT® Your Future by Nourishing Today.

Helen Perks BSc.
The Cancer Nutritionist
BSc Nutritional Medicine | Registered Nutritional Therapist
mBANT | rCNHC | Functional & Lifestyle Medicine Practitioner

📩 info@helenperks.com
🌐 www.helenperks.com

Instagram: | Facebook: The Cancer Nutritionist
TikTok: The_Cancer_Nutritionist

26/11/2025

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25/11/2025

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If cancer is part of your life, you need to know this.

I wanted to share something incredibly hopeful that appeared in The Times today.

The NHS has approved a new treatment for aggressive leukaemia that is being described as a “living drug”. It is called obe cel and it is based on Car T cell therapy.

This treatment uses the patient’s own immune cells. These cells are genetically trained in the lab to recognise and attack cancer cells, then returned to the body where they continue the work. Seventy seven per cent of patients in the trial went into remission, and half of those still show no detectable cancer more than three and a half years later.

For a group of cancers that historically offered very little hope, this is extraordinary progress. It shows how far immunotherapy has come and how much potential we have when medical science, genetics, research, and clinical practice come together.

As a cancer nutritionist and functional and lifestyle medicine practitioner, I often talk about supporting the immune system, the gut, inflammation, sleep, stress, and the body’s internal environment, your terrain. Treatments like Car T therapy remind us just how powerful the immune system really is when it is guided in the right way.

Nutrition and lifestyle medicine can never replace medical treatment, but they can support your terrain so your immune system is more resilient and your body is in a stronger place to lower your risk of developing cancer, as well as before, during, and after treatment.

If you or someone you love is living with leukaemia or another cancer, this news is a reminder that progress is still happening. New options are emerging, and hope is real.

If you want to understand how you can support your immune system, digestion, sleep, energy, or inflammation safely to lower your risk of developing cancer, and during and after treatment, you can reach out to me any time. DM me or book your FREE 20 minute telephone consultation by going to:

https://helenperks.com

You can follow me on social media:

Instagram:
Facebook: The Cancer Nutritionist
TikTok: The_cancer_nutritionist

RESPECT® Your Future by Nourishing Today.

Helen Perks BSc Nutritional Medicine
The Cancer Nutritionist
Registered Nutritional Therapist
Functional and Lifestyle Medicine Practitioner
Integrative Oncology Specialist
Trained in the Systems Approach to Cancer

**lcancer

24/11/2025

Something I have learned over the years is that conversations about cost can be incredibly sensitive, especially in the world of cancer. I understand why people can feel triggered. Many are unable to work, some are living on reduced income, and others are caring for a loved one while juggling fear, exhaustion, and uncertainty. When you are in that situation, anything that feels out of reach can stir up frustration or sadness, and I do understand that.

Recently, I have had comments such as,

“Oh what a surprise, you have to pay for it,”

and,

“Dont you think that people dealing with cancer have enough expenses. Not every cancer patient can afford to pay for extras that you say will help.”

I hear the pain behind those words. It tells me that people desperately want to feel better, to feel supported, to feel less lost, and to have options that bring them hope.

At the same time, I am a trained professional who has studied for many years, who continues to train in integrative oncology, and who works with complex medical cases daily. This work is my career, my livelihood, and my responsibility. Like doctors, nurses, dietitians, counsellors, oncologists, physios, and every other professional involved in cancer care, I also need to be paid for the expertise I provide and the duty of care I uphold.

I am always thinking about how support can be made more accessible, which is why from next year I will be offering new ways to work with me, starting from £15 per month, so that people with different needs and different budgets still have options.

Perhaps the question we need to ask is a compassionate one, for both sides:

How do we support people who desperately need help while also recognising the value and sustainability of the professionals who provide it?

I would genuinely appreciate hearing your thoughts, whether you are living with cancer, caring for someone with cancer, or simply part of this community.

RESPECT® Your Future by Nourishing Today.

**lcancer

23/11/2025

If you or someone you love has been through cancer, you will know this.⁣
⁣
The world looks the same on the outside but nothing feels the same on the inside. Food tastes different. Energy shifts. Sleep changes. Anxiety rises. Digestion becomes unpredictable. The fear of it returning sits in the background even on the good days.⁣
⁣
Most people carry this alone.⁣
⁣
They are sent home with a leaflet and told to eat well and rest, yet no one explains what eating well means for a body that has been through treatment. Many are told to eat whatever they want as diet does not matter. That advice is outdated. Research shows that nutrition influences inflammation, immunity, recovery, strength, and long term health. It also affects how you tolerate treatment and how you feel afterwards. My work is integrative and always alongside your oncology team.⁣
⁣
I have a Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Medicine, over twelve years of clinical experience, and postgraduate training in integrative oncology. I support clients with breast, ovarian, bowel, prostate, lung, skin, and a**l cancers.⁣
⁣
Most people are not shown how to support digestion after chemotherapy or radiotherapy or how to rebuild strength or calm inflammation. They are not guided on reducing recurrence risk.⁣
⁣
Supplements create confusion. Some are unsafe during treatment. Some interfere with chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Some reduce the effect of treatment. Others can help when used correctly. Guesswork is never safe.⁣
⁣
This is where my work begins.⁣
⁣
I help you understand your body again. I look at your history, symptoms, medications, sleep, movement, environment, stress load, and blood tests. I create a personalised RESPECT® prescription that supports your recovery on every level.⁣
⁣
If you want support before, during, or after treatment, DM me or book a free twenty minute consultation at helenperks.com⁣
⁣
RESPECT® Your Future by Nourishing Today.⁣
⁣
Helen Perks BSc Nutritional Medicine⁣
The Cancer Nutritionist⁣
⁣

23/11/2025

If you or someone you love has been through cancer, you will know this.

The world looks the same on the outside but nothing feels the same on the inside.
Food tastes different. Energy changes. Sleep shifts. Anxiety creeps in. Digestion becomes unpredictable. The fear of it returning sits quietly in the background even on the good days.

Most people carry all this alone.

They are sent home after treatment with a leaflet and told to eat well and rest, but no one explains what eating well actually means for a body that has been through cancer.

Many people are told to eat whatever they want as diet does not make a difference. That advice is outdated. Real science tells a very different story. Food choices influence inflammation, immunity, strength, recovery, and long term health. Food also influences how you tolerate treatment and how you feel afterwards.

My training and research with a globally recognised integrative oncologist supports this. Human studies across many cancers show clear benefits when nutrition and lifestyle are used correctly and safely alongside medical care. What I do is integrative not alternative to your treatment.

I have over twelve years of clinical experience. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Medicine. I am a functional and lifestyle medicine practitioner. I trained with the Institute for Functional Medicine and I completed the Systems Approach to Cancer postgraduate programme with a merit. I now support clients with breast cancer, a**l cancer, ovarian cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, skin cancer, bowel cancer, and more.

Most people are not told how to support digestion after chemotherapy or radiotherapy. They are not taught how to rebuild strength. They are not shown how to settle inflammation or support their immune system. They are not given clear guidance on reducing recurrence risk in everyday life.

Supplements are another area where people feel lost. Some supplements are unsafe during treatment. Some supplements interfere with chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Some supplements reduce the effectiveness of treatment. Others can enhance treatment when used correctly. The right supplements, taken at the right time, on the right side of the day, and at the right quality level can make a real difference. Guesswork is not safe.

This is where my work begins.

I help you make sense of your body again. I look at your full history, your symptoms, your medications, your sleep, your movement, your environment, your stress load, and your blood tests. I never guess. I create a personalised RESPECT® prescription that supports your recovery on every level, not just through food.

If you want to feel more in control of your health and understand what your body needs before treatment, during treatment, and after treatment, DM me or book your free twenty minute telephone consultation here:

https://helenperks.com

You can follow me on social media:

Instagram:
Facebook: The Cancer Nutritionist

I work with clients across the UK and internationally. You do not have to walk your cancer journey alone.

If you would like support for yourself or for a loved one, message me privately.

RESPECT® Your Future by Nourishing Today.

Helen Perks BSc Nutritional Medicine
The Cancer Nutritionist
Registered Nutritional Therapist
Functional and Lifestyle Medicine Practitioner
Integrative Oncology Specialist
Trained in the Systems Approach to Cancer

**lcancer