Addressing the Latest Wave of Skepticism
Regarding Alternative Approaches to Treatment and Metabolic Health
(Author’s Note: A version of this essay was also written for the Metabolic Terrain Institute of Health)
Introduction: The Cycle of Skepticism
Every few years, a new wave of media scrutiny aims to discredit alternative and integrative approaches to cancer prevention and treatment. Whether it’s social media posts, a viral exposé, a mainstream documentary, or a dismissive op-ed, these cycles are predictable.
And simply wrong.
Recently, Netflix’s television series "Apple Cider Vinegar" and Jennie Durant’s HuffPost article (HuffPost, February 24, 2025) – both filled with incomplete or erroneous information - have reignited the debate.
Netflix's "Apple Cider Vinegar" explores the story of Belle Gibson, an Australian wellness influencer who falsely claimed to have cured her terminal brain cancer through diet and holistic health, building a fraudulent empire in the process. The series delves into the dark side of the wellness industry, highlighting the dangers of misinformation.
Jennie Durant’s HuffPost article presents a narrow, dismissive view of alternative cancer treatments, arguing that only conventional medicine is legitimate. She warns against so-called “quackery” and criticizes those who seek metabolic and holistic approaches, while failing to address growing scientific evidence supporting integrative cancer care.
The problem isn’t that skepticism exists—rigorous questioning is essential in science. The problem is that the wrong things are being questioned. Instead of dismissing alternative approaches and metabolic and terrain-based medicine as “unproven,” we should be asking:
Why is metabolic disease—including cancer—rising exponentially?
Why is prevention still an afterthought in mainstream healthcare?
Why does conventional medicine continue to ignore mitochondrial function, metabolic health, and environmental toxins in chronic disease? Why does western medicine virtually ignore the consequences of stress and trauma? Or of the food we eat (or don’t eat), and our lack of exercise?
If we are serious about addressing the global cancer epidemic, the conversation must shift away from rigid medical dogma and toward open inquiry, patient empowerment, and root-cause healing.
The Science of Terrain-Based Medicine
Metabolic and terrain-based medicine is not a fleeting health trend or a collection of anecdotal success stories. It is a scientifically driven, systems-based approach to health optimization and disease prevention. At its core, it focuses on:
Metabolic flexibility and mitochondrial function as the foundation of health.
Epigenetics—how environment and lifestyle shape genetic expression.
Objective testing to guide personalized interventions.
Root-cause healing rather than symptom treatment and suppression.
Unlike conventional treatments that focus primarily on detecting and eliminating tumors, the terrain approach asks: Why did the cancer arise in the first place? If we don’t change the internal environment that allowed cancer to grow, recurrence is not a question of if—but when.
This is why the Terrain Ten™ framework was developed by Dr. Nasha Winters. The Terrain Ten™ framework recognizes that health is a result of multiple interconnected factors:
Epigenetics: Lifestyle and environment influence gene expression.
Glycemic Control & Nutrition: Cancer thrives in a sugar-fueled metabolic state.
Environmental Toxins: Chemical and heavy metal exposure disrupts cellular health.
Microbiome Health: The gut-immune-brain axis plays a critical role in cancer development.
Immune Function: Strengthening the immune system to prevent and reverse disease.
Inflammation Regulation: Chronic inflammation fuels cancer growth.
Oxygenation & Circulation: Mitochondrial energy production is key to healing.
Hormonal Balance: Endocrine health affects cancer risk.
Stress & Circadian Health: Dysregulated stress responses impair immune function.
Mind-Body Connection: Psycho-neuro-immunology is real—emotions influence biology.
None of this is theoretical. It is grounded in decades of metabolic and epigenetic research, as well as thousands of case studies showing profound healing when these principles are applied.
The Failure of Conventional Medicine to Address Root Causes
Despite advances in early detection and treatment, cancer rates continue to climb. The problem isn’t just that we lack true cures—it’s that the current model ignores prevention entirely.
Most cancers—up to 90 percent—are caused by environmental and lifestyle factors. We know this from extensive research on:
Diet & Nutrition: High sugar intake, processed foods, and nutrient deficiencies create a biological environment where cancer thrives.
Toxic Exposure: Pesticides, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, heavy metals, and pollutants are linked to cancer development.
Chronic Stress & Trauma: Long-term stress weakens the immune system and contributes to systemic inflammation.
Metabolic Dysfunction: Cancer is increasingly recognized as a metabolic disease, driven by mitochondrial damage and glucose dysregulation.
Yet, mainstream narratives continue to focus only on detection and treatment, not prevention. The assumption is that cancer is either a genetic inevitability or simply random bad luck. This not only contradicts the evidence but actively disempowers patients from taking control of their health.
While mainstream medicine (and the aforementioned Netflix series and newspaper op-ed) dismiss alternative cancer healing as anecdotal, thousands of cases prove otherwise. Decades of metabolic and epigenetic research, alongside thousands of case studies, confirm these principles.
Why This Matters More Than Ever
The legitimacy of metabolic and terrain-based medicine is scientifically supported. Important questions include:
Why are metabolic diseases, including cancer, rising despite extensive research funding?
Why is preventive medicine marginalized?
Why does conventional medicine overlook mitochondrial and metabolic health?
Instead of dismissing terrain-based medicine, skepticism should target mainstream medicine’s persistent neglect of root causes.
Guidance for Providers
Providers practicing metabolic and terrain-based medicine will face skepticism. Engage skeptics productively:
Stay Grounded in Science: Terrain-based medicine is supported by decades of research, testing, and clinical outcomes.
Invite Curiosity, Not Conflict: Encourage dialogue by asking skeptics, "Are you open to examining the research?"
Shift the Narrative: Redirect discussions toward the genuine crisis—the increase of metabolic diseases and conventional medicine’s shortcomings.
Guidance for Patients
Patients can empower themselves through knowledge:
Educate Yourself: Understand interconnected health factors like diet, stress, toxins, and emotional well-being.
Ask Critical Questions: Investigate why cancer develops and explore preventive strategies.
Advocate for Personalized, Holistic Approaches: Move beyond symptom management to root-cause solutions.
Final Thoughts: Focus on What Matters
Healthy skepticism is essential in science—but we must question the right things. Instead of dismissing metabolic and terrain-based medicine as mere trends, let's discuss the alarming rise in chronic disease, the neglect of root-cause medicine, and actionable solutions to achieve lasting health transformation.
*****
Chris Joseph is a certified Metabolic Terrain Advocate and a trained Radical Remission Health Coach. Diagnosed in 2016 with inoperable stage III pancreatic cancer, he chose an unconventional path that focused on holistic and integrative healing. His journey is chronicled in his book, Life is a Ride: My Unconventional Journey of Cancer Recovery. Chris now dedicates his life to helping others navigate cancer with hope, strategy, and a deep belief in the body’s innate ability to heal. He offers one-on-one coaching, group workshops, and online programs through Terrain Navigators. You can reach him directly through the website or by email at chris@terrainnavigators.com.
Such a profound article Chris. You are a gifted writer.
Well said. Thank you