Mesothelioma Cancer Nutrition
Diet and nutrition are extremely important for cancer patients because both the illness and its treatment can affect their health. Mesothelioma patients generally undergo surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. These aggressive forms of treatment kill cancer cells and stop the growth of the tumor. However, they affect healthy cells as well. Eating foods rich in nutrients is essential for staying stronger and maintaining good health.
Nutrition in Mesothelioma Treatment
People diagnosed with mesothelioma have specific nutritional requirements. They need extra amounts of protein, antioxidants, carbohydrates, and fats to ensure their strength and help them better tolerate treatment. This aggressive disease may change the way your body metabolizes nutrients. Mesothelioma treatment often causes vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and loss of appetite. Most patients experience difficulty swallowing, dry cough, vomiting and other unpleasant symptoms that may interfere with their eating habits.
A balanced diet should be based on foods and liquids rich in vitamins, minerals, healthy fats and other essential nutrients. Nutrition therapy aims to help mesothelioma patients get the nutrients they needs to fight against infection, keep up their body weight, and deal with the effects of cancer. Patients who follow a proper diet have better chances of recovery. For most people diagnosed with asbestos cancer, a healthy diet includes small amounts of fat, modest amounts of lean meat, and lots of fruits and vegetables.
It is important to understand that mesothelioma treatment can lead to eating problems such as anorexia, cachexia, and malnutrition. Most patients who undergo chemotherapy or radiation experience loss of appetite, dry mouth, severe weight loss, constipation, changes in sense of taste or smell, sore throat, and lactose intolerance. Mesothelioma can affect the body's ability to tolerate certain foods. Talk with a nutritionist and ask him to recommend you a healthy diet based on natural foods rich in vitamins and minerals.
Benefits of Good Nutrition for Mesothelioma Patients
If you suffer from malignant mesothelioma, pay closer attention to your daily diet. A proper regimen will help you feel better, maintain your body's store of nutrients, and minimize treatment-related side effects. Fill your refrigerator with healthy foods that need little or no cooking. Ask your friends or family to help you prepare your meals during treatment. Eat several high protein meals during the day.
Chemotherapy and radiation are effective at treating mesothelioma and other forms of cancer. However, they also destroy some healthy cells. Eating well will help your body recover faster, reduce muscle breakdown, and support the growth and development of new cells. Statistics indicate the one in five people diagnosed with mesothelioma die from malnutrition, not the actual cancer. Maintaining a healthy weight and reducing symptoms are the most important issues for a mesothelioma patient. Those who have been diagnosed in late stages of the disease should focus on getting as many calories as possible.
What Foods Should You Eat?
Mesothelioma patients are generally prescribed diets based on foods rich in antioxidants, protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. Antioxidants protect the body from the free radical damage associated with cancer. Studies have shown that these compounds may slow or prevent the development of cancer. Fruits, vegetables, fish, poultry, nuts, and grains are the best sources of antioxidants.
If you have been diagnosed with asbestos cancer, then you need increased amounts of protein. Eating adequate amounts of calories and protein will keep your immune system strong, increase your resistance to infections, and help your body recover faster from illness. Protein can be found in lean red meat, poultry, fish, peanuts, soy foods, and low-fat dairy products.
Mesothelioma patients should consume modest amounts of carbohydrates. Avoid simple carbs from sugar and sweets and opt for complex carbohydrates from whole grains, whole bread, whole pasta, fruits, and vegetables. Follow a low carb, high protein diet and take your carbs from natural, healthy foods.
Make sure your diet includes monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats from olive oil, sunflower oil, peanut oil, nuts, avocados, fatty fish, and flaxseeds. Avoid trans fats as much as possible. Less than 10 percent of your calories should come from meat, poultry, whole fat milk, palm oil, and other foods rich in saturated fats. Keep your body hydrated and drink plenty of water.
If you need help changing your eating habits after being diagnosed with mesothelioma, contact a nutritionist. He will recommend you a diet plan based on healthy foods loaded with essential nutrients. To find out what foods are good for cancer patients and receive a comprehensive mesothelioma guide, complete the form below with your contact details.