Shakin & Bakin Foodie Blog

Addressing the Symptoms of Cancer Through Nutrition
By: Jackie Clark

Prevention of many chronic diseases is known to begin with healthy nutrition. Epidemiological studies have shown that people eating foods high in dietary fiber, which are vegetables, fruits and whole grains primarily, have significantly lower incidence of heart disease, several types of cancer and other diseases. Besides use as prevention, good nutrition is also an important part of treatment for cancer.

Nutrient-dense foods should make up the bulk of the diet. Specific recommendations for types of food and best eating practices are different for individuals, largely depending on the form of cancer and stage at diagnosis. The benefits of healthy eating during treatment are established in the literature. Treatment clinics have adopted this information by employing nutritionists into clinic staff and offering referrals when they are not available. If nutrition is being neglected in cancer treatment, it is important for patients to learn about the necessity and advocate inclusion of this tactic.

What Role Does Nutrition Play in Treatment?
There are several common symptoms caused by cancer and treatments. Nausea is probably the most common, followed by fatigue, bowel upset, immune dysfunction and changes in the way the body processes nutrients. Some surgeries for cancer may result in dramatic changes to the body's ability to absorb nutrition. With a declining appetite, due to chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy, it is necessary to increase awareness of food. Choosing foods high in micronutrients and calories will help prevent deficiencies.

The leading research organizations have issued guidelines for healthy eating during cancer treatment. These are general rules that will need to be modified for certain types of cancer, like mesothelioma and throat cancers, and will also depend on the patient's prognosis. Most cancer patients should be able to use these rules, however.

* Processed meats and red meats should be limited.
* A minimum of five servings of fruits and vegetables a day is required.
* Whole grains and raw sugars are preferable to the refined or processed types.

Changes in Eating Habits
Besides making healthy foods the central diet, some of the common symptoms can be reduced or eliminated with changes to eating habits. Loss of appetite, for instance, can be treated by eating a higher number of smaller meals throughout the day, as well as keeping nutrient-dense snacks on hand, such as boiled eggs, granola bars, and cheese and crackers.

Changing daily habits can also help changes in bowel function. Increasing or decreasing liquids, establishing a strict schedule for meals, and incorporating high-fiber foods can all help. A regular exercise program will also benefit cancer patients and make healthy nutrition more effective. Since every case is different, it is important to speak with the doctor about changes in nutrition and eating habits.

--------------------------------------------

Thank you Jackie for your wonderful article on the importance of good nutrition when dealing with Cancer. We appreciate you sharing this information with the SNB Foodie Blog readers.