Brenda Khan
Diet plays a crucial role in cancer treatment and immunity. While cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy can cause various side effects such as constipation and fatigue, a well-balanced diet can help manage these symptoms and provide the necessary energy and strength. Certain foods, like apples, berries, fatty fish, legumes, whole grains, and fermented foods, are known to have cancer-fighting properties and can lower the risk of developing cancer. Additionally, protein-rich foods are essential for strengthening the immune system during treatment. However, those undergoing high-dose chemotherapy or with low immunity may need to follow a clean diet and avoid certain foods to reduce the risk of infection. Seeking advice from specialists and dietitians is important to determine the best diet for cancer treatment and immunity.
Characteristics and Values of a diet for cancer immunity:
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Role | Plays a big role in how you feel during chemotherapy or radiation |
| Purpose | To stay strong and energized during cancer treatment |
| Food | Fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, fish, fermented foods, beans, peas, lentils, fatty fish, apples, berries, walnuts, mushrooms, poultry, lean red meats, low-fat dairy products, eggs, nuts and soy foods |
| Avoid | Unwashed fruits, vegetables and salads (to avoid harmful bacteria) |
| Calories | Needed to stay strong |
| Protein | Essential to strengthen the immune system and help heal |
| Dietary advice | Consult a doctor, clinical dietitian, nutritionist or a cancer expert |
| Precautions | Avoid eating out and takeaway food, especially from salad bars, buffets and street vendors |
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What You'll Learn
The importance of nutrition during cancer treatment
Nutrition is an important aspect of cancer treatment, playing a role in how patients feel during chemotherapy or radiation therapy. A healthy diet can help patients stay strong and energized, fighting nausea and maintaining energy levels.
During cancer treatment, patients may experience a variety of side effects, such as constipation, fatigue, and a reduced appetite. In some cases, treatments like steroids for breast cancer and blood cancers can cause increased appetite and blood sugar levels, potentially leading to insulin resistance and weight gain. Thus, it is crucial to pay attention to one's diet during cancer treatment to manage these side effects effectively.
A balanced diet that includes a variety of whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and fish, is recommended. These foods are abundant in the Mediterranean diet, known for its health benefits. They contain protective compounds that work together to lower cancer risk, regulate hormones, slow cancer cell growth, and block inflammation. For instance, leafy greens like spinach and kale contain antioxidants that boost the body's defenses against breast, bladder, and lung cancer. Additionally, fermented foods provide probiotics, healthy bacteria that improve immune function and protect against cancer.
Protein-rich foods are also essential during cancer treatment to strengthen the immune system and aid in healing. Good sources of protein include fish, poultry, lean red meats, low-fat dairy products, eggs, beans, lentils, nuts, and soy foods. It is important to consult with a doctor or dietitian to determine the best dietary approach, as individual needs may vary, especially with low immunity.
Furthermore, food safety is crucial for those undergoing cancer treatment. Patients with low immunity may need to follow a "clean diet," avoiding foods that may contain harmful bacteria, such as unwashed fruits, vegetables, and salads. Reheating and defrosting food properly is also important to prevent foodborne illnesses.
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Cancer-fighting foods
A healthy diet is key to reducing the risk of cancer. While no single food can stop cancer, consistently including a variety of cancer-fighting foods as part of a healthy diet is crucial. These foods are typically plants loaded with phytochemicals, also called phytonutrients. Phytochemicals are natural compounds in plants that can help prevent chronic diseases like cancer.
- Fruits and vegetables: Eating a variety of colourful fruits and vegetables is important. Berries, for example, are among the healthiest foods you can eat. Their vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants can ward off cancer in our digestive tract. Apples are also believed to help prevent cancer and promote general health.
- Legumes: Beans, peas, and lentils are high in fiber, which may help lower the risk of some types of cancer.
- Whole grains: Eating whole grains reduces the risk of at least 18 types of cancer, and each 10-gram increase in dietary fiber from whole grains is linked to a 7% reduction in colorectal cancer risk.
- Fish: Fish is a good source of protein and nutrients, especially oily fish like salmon, tuna, and anchovies, which are high in omega-3 fatty acids. Fish combats inflammation and protects against breast and colorectal cancer.
- Fermented foods: Cultured or fermented foods provide probiotics, healthy bacteria that improve immune function and protect against cancer.
- Medicinal mushrooms: In Japan and China, medicinal mushrooms have been approved for cancer treatment alongside standard therapies. Examples include reishi, turkey tail, shiitake, and maitake mushrooms. However, more research is needed, and the FDA has not approved any medicinal mushrooms for cancer treatment in the United States.
It is important to note that while these foods may help lower your cancer risk, they are not a guarantee of prevention. Maintaining a healthy body weight is crucial, as excess body weight is linked to an increased risk of cancer. It is best to consult a healthcare professional for personalized advice and to ensure that any significant dietary changes are safe for you.
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Foods to avoid during treatment
Diet is an important part of staying strong and energized during cancer treatment. It can help you fight nausea and maintain energy. However, there are no one-size-fits-all lists of foods to eat or avoid. The foods you should avoid depend on the type of cancer and the treatment plan. For instance, steroids, which are often used in breast cancer and blood cancer treatment plans, can increase your appetite and blood sugar levels, which may lead to insulin resistance and weight gain.
Uncooked and unpasteurized foods
Uncooked and unpasteurized foods, including meat and produce, should be avoided during chemotherapy as they may increase your chances of foodborne illness. This is because chemotherapy weakens your immune system, making you more vulnerable to infections.
Raw nuts and their products
Raw nuts and their products, such as fresh nut butters, may carry a higher risk of foodborne illness due to long storage times, which can facilitate the growth of fungi and other pathogens.
Frozen foods
If you are undergoing treatment with certain chemotherapy drugs, such as oxaliplatin, you may develop cold sensitivity. In such cases, it is best to avoid frozen foods and drinks, such as ice cream, smoothies, and other cold items, as they can cause discomfort or even pain.
Grapefruit and Seville oranges
Grapefruit and Seville oranges, including their juices and products made from them, may affect the level of CYP enzymes in the body. These enzymes are responsible for breaking down most drugs, and consuming these fruits or their products may lead to undesirable side effects from your cancer medication.
High-fiber foods
While fiber is generally beneficial, high-fiber foods can lead to constipation in some individuals undergoing chemotherapy. It is important to discuss your dietary choices with your doctor to determine what works best for you.
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The role of protein in healing
Cancer can affect all aspects of health, including appetite and diet. Treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy can cause constipation, fatigue, and other side effects. As such, diet plays a crucial role in staying strong and energized during cancer treatment. Eating a balanced diet containing fresh fruits, vegetables, and good fats will benefit overall health.
Protein is an essential macronutrient that assists in wound healing. It provides the main building blocks for tissue growth, cell renewal, and repair during the healing process. Studies have shown that solutions containing partial enzymatic hydrolysates of protein (consisting mainly of peptides with 2–6 amino acid residues) exhibit greater total absorption of amino nitrogen than intestinal perfusion of corresponding free amino acid mixtures with identical amino acid compositions.
A high-protein diet with antioxidants and micronutrients may reduce hospital stays, readmission rates, healthcare costs, and the occurrence and size of pressure wounds. Patients with wounds like pressure injuries, arterial and venous ulcers, or diabetic ulcers may benefit from increasing their protein intake from the recommended 0.8 to 1.2-1.5 grams per kilogram of body weight per day.
To incorporate more protein into your diet, consider adding high-protein foods such as lean chicken breast, pork chops, tuna, skirt steak beef, lentils, low-fat yogurt, or eggs. Additionally, a 24-hour dietary recall tool can help monitor protein intake by revealing all food and drink consumed within a 24-hour period. This information can then be used to set nutrition goals and develop a detailed plan to ensure adequate protein consumption at each meal.
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Dietary advice for immunotherapy
A healthy diet is an important part of staying strong and energized during cancer treatment. It can help you fight nausea, maintain energy, and manage other side effects of immunotherapy, such as vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. Proper nutrition plays a key role in the success of cancer immunotherapy.
If you are undergoing immunotherapy, it is essential to ensure your body gets the calories and proteins it needs to stay strong. Your protein intake, in particular, is crucial to strengthening your immune system and aiding in the healing process. If your body does not get enough dietary protein, it may start breaking down muscle to fuel itself, which can lower your resistance to infection and interfere with your recovery. Foods that are naturally rich in protein include fish, poultry, lean red meats, low-fat dairy products, eggs, beans, lentils, nuts, and soy foods. In addition to eating protein-rich foods, you can increase your protein intake by adding cheese, cooked meats, and eggs to your meals.
It is also vital to stay well-hydrated during cancer treatment. You may need to incorporate different foods and beverages into your diet, such as thick, cold milkshakes, which are easy to swallow if you develop mouth sores and throat irritation.
If your immunity is low due to cancer treatment, you may need to be cautious and adopt a "clean diet" to reduce the risk of infection. This includes being extra careful with food hygiene and, in some cases, avoiding certain foods, such as unwashed fruits, vegetables, and salads, as well as food from salad bars, buffets, and street vendors. Freezing extra portions before starting treatment can be helpful, but remember to defrost and reheat food properly, and never reheat cooked rice.
While there is no single food that can prevent or cure cancer, a healthy diet that includes a variety of whole foods can play a crucial role in reducing the risk of cancer and improving overall health. A balanced diet containing fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, fish, and fermented foods is recommended. These foods are abundant in the Mediterranean diet, which is known for its health benefits. Additionally, medicinal mushrooms have been approved for cancer treatment in some countries, and certain foods, such as walnuts, legumes, and apples, may also have cancer-fighting properties.
Remember, it is always best to consult a healthcare professional or a dietitian for personalized dietary advice during cancer treatment. They can provide evidence-based suggestions and help you navigate any side effects of immunotherapy.
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Frequently asked questions
A healthy diet is key to reducing the risk of cancer. Eating whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, fish, and fermented foods can lower cancer risk. In particular, leafy greens such as spinach and kale act as antioxidants to boost the body's defenses to fight breast, bladder, and lung cancer.
During cancer treatment, it is important to maintain a diet that keeps you strong and energized. Consult a doctor or dietitian for advice, as they can provide personalized guidance on the best diet for your treatment. In general, it is vital to stay well-hydrated and ensure your body gets the calories and proteins it needs.
If you are having high-dose chemotherapy, you may be advised to avoid foods that might contain harmful bacteria, such as unwashed fruits, vegetables, and salads. If your immunity is very low, you may need to be extra careful with food hygiene and avoid certain foods to reduce the risk of getting an infection. Additionally, it is recommended to avoid eating out and takeaway food if your immunity is low.
