Book review: The Ayurvedic Approach to Cancer by Dr. Sam Watts

by SATCC Advisory Board member and Clinical Nutritionist, Stephanie Moore RNT, mBANT, mCNHC

Clinical Nutritionist and SATCC Advisory Board member, Stephanie Moore discusses Dr. Sam Watts’ exploration of how ancient wisdom can support modern cancer care.

About Dr. Sam Watts

Dr. Sam Watts is one of the most passionate people you will ever meet. His academic and clinical work is focused on cancer and in particular exceptional cancer survivorship using the power of natural medicine, healthy living and a positive mental mindset.  

In person, and in his new book, The Ayurvedic Approach to Cancer, Dr. Sam is brimming with accessible, highly motivating nuggets of information for those touched by cancer.  The book offers a compassionate and empowering guide to using lifestyle and nutrition as supportive tools alongside conventional cancer treatment. Drawing on the ancient Indian system of Ayurveda—an approach to health that’s over 5,000 years old—Dr. Sam outlines practical, gentle strategies to help the body and mind regain balance.

Embracing Ayurveda alongside conventional medicine

This book is not about rejecting modern medicine. In fact, Dr. Sam is clear that Ayurveda should work with, not against, conventional cancer care, making it a really valuable resource for people living with cancer, carers of cancer patients and health practitioners. What he provides is a framework to help individuals feel more in control, offering simple, natural steps that can support wellbeing during or after treatment. The reader does not need to have any previous knowledge of Ayurveda to benefit from reading this book, as Dr. Sam explains the core principles clearly and makes the practices readily accessible with lots of examples of real cases.  

Empowerment through nutrition

Nutrition is a key focus. Dr. Sam explains how specific foods can help reduce inflammation, support immunity and nourish the body during times of stress due to psychological and physical demands. Dr. Sam recommends a diet rich in plant-based, colourful whole-foods with simple explanations as to why these foods exert such powerful, protective benefits. 

He specifies how different nutrients and other compounds present in whole foods can contribute to numerous cancer protective mechanisms, all backed by research and clinical trials.  The emphasis is on eating mindfully and in tune with your body’s changing needs, rather than following a one-size-fits-all diet. 

Key nutritional takeaways from the book

Dr. Sam recommends:

• • Eating a wide range of plant-based, seasonal whole foods
  • Prioritising warm, cooked meals over cold or raw dishes for easier digestion
  • Including anti-inflammatory herbs and spices like turmeric, ginger, and cinnamon
  • Reducing processed meats and dairy, sugar, and ultra processed foods
  • Drinking plenty of warm fluids, especially herbal teas
  • Eating mindfully and in a calm, unrushed environment

Tailoring food choices to your individual constitution (dosha) and current state of health.

Lifestyle recommendations

Equally valuable are the book’s lifestyle recommendations. Dr. Sam explains how chronic stress and poor lifestyle habits can disrupt the body’s natural balance, potentially contributing to disease. 

He introduces readers to daily routines that can calm the nervous system and support healing such as gentle yoga, breathwork, meditation, journalling and getting regular sleep. He also highlights the importance of reducing emotional stress, building positive relationships, and reconnecting with nature, all of which play a critical, and scientifically backed, role in supporting recovery and resilience. 

Scientific understanding meets individual experience

What makes this book stand out is its warmth and clarity. Dr. Sam writes with empathy, making ancient concepts feel relevant and achievable. His approach respects both scientific understanding and individual experience, making this a reassuring resource for anyone affected by cancer—whether you’re newly diagnosed, in recovery, or supporting a loved one.

For those seeking a more holistic way to look after their health, The Ayurvedic Approach to Cancer offers practical advice, grounded insight, and a reminder that healing the body requires a multi-pronged approach.

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