Did You Know?
It is important to drink as much as possible in order to maintain your body’s system. The more you drink, the more your digestive system will be able to function properly, which will then help the rest of your body to be supported and stabilized.
For most mesothelioma patients, diet is often an overlooked subject, but eating the right nutritional foods for strength and energy is just as important as taking the proper medication.
Mesothelioma patients undergoing treatment should follow a special cancer diet devised by their nutritionists. Cancer diets involve eating the correct amounts of protein and calories as well as drinking the right amount of water to keep the ailing body replenished and energized. The body needs plenty of nourishment when it is going through chemotherapy or even when the patient is taking certain medications.
As with most cancers, along side traditional treatment changing your diet can help. Increase soy beans products in your diet, the alpha carotene and lycopene in soy help to revert and reduce tumor growth and metastasis. Other anti-cancer foods that should be plentiful in your diet are cabbage, kale, Brussels sprouts, shiitake mushrooms, broccoli, pears, citrus fruits, turmeric, tomatoes, blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, green tea, walnuts, spinach, wheat bran, rice bran, rosemary, garlic, thyme, oregano and onions. These foods should be organic. Cut down on meat (especially grilled or barbecued) and dairy food consumption, pickled food, smoked food, alcohol, saturated fats, salt, sun exposure and smoking.
Mesothelioma Nutrition
The following supplements may help if you are suffering from Mesothelioma.
Multivitamins and Multiminerals
* B group vitamins
* Vitamin E
* Vitamin A
* Vitamin C
* Vitamin D
* Vitamin K
* Co-enzyme Q10
* Echinacea
* Shark cartilage
* Fish Oil
* Selenium
* Zinc
* Manganese
* Copper
* Calcium
* Pro-biotics
* Evening primrose oil
Source: Stewart Hare C.H.Ed Dip NutTh
Below are some of the important nutrients patients are encouraged to include in their mesothelioma diet:
- Protein is important for any cancer patient because it helps repair tissue damaged by surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation. Protein also helps maintain a strong and healthy immune system, lowering a mesothelioma patient’s risk of infection after aggressive cancer treatments. The National Cancer Institute recommends increasing protein in a cancer diet with cheese, milk, ice cream, yoghurt, eggs, nuts, peanut butter, meats and fish.
- Fats are an essential part of the cancer diet because they supply the body with the necessary energy it needs while undergoing treatment. The amount of fats (meaning the number of calories) a cancer diet should consist of is dependent on a mesothelioma patient’s age and body size. The National Cancer Institute recommends increasing caloric intake with such foods as butter, milk, cheese, honey, sugar, granola and dried fruits.
- Water is another essential element of the cancer diet. Without a substantial amount of water, the body will dehydrate. It is important that anyone undergoing cancer treatment receive enough water to keep their bodies hydrated and replenished.
- Vitamins and minerals: Vitamins and minerals help ensure growth and development, in addition to allowing the body to use the calories supplied by the foods eaten. While it is not always necessary to supplement vitamins and minerals during times when one is maintaining good eating habits, it may become more important when the challenges of being ill or undergoing treatment make eating difficult.
The details of every patient’s mesothelioma diet will vary. Some patients will need to incorporate more fat into their diets, while others may need more protein. It is important that patients devise a cancer diet under the guidance of their doctor and nutritionist to ensure that they receive the proper amount of nutrients to improve their quality of life.
Source: MesotheliomaAttorneyAdviceCenter (www.maacenter.org).
Diet and Nutrition for Mesothelioma Patients
Eating a healthy diet that contains all the essential nutrients can be a challenge for anyone. But for people with mesothelioma and other cancers, this challenge is even more difficult. Although loss of appetite and nausea are common in people with mesothelioma, eating a healthy, balanced diet becomes more important than ever. Proper nutrition helps to boost the immune system, maintain energy levels and fight the free radicals that can cause cancer. In addition, diet and nutrition can play an important role in reducing the toxic side effects of some mesothelioma treatments.
If you or someone you know has mesothelioma, here are some diet and nutrition tips for fighting the disease and living well while undergoing treatment.
- A consultation with a dietician can help you create a nutritious meal plan that is tailored to your needs.
- Most sources recommend a lower-carbohydrate diet for people with cancer. At the same time, higher amounts of protein can help repair tissue damaged by surgery or treatments. It can also help to maintain a healthy immune system.
- Include fats in your diet to help supply your body with the energy it needs.
- Drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated and flush out the toxins produced by mesothelioma treatments.
- If loss of appetite prevents you from eating more than a few bites at each meal, you can boost your caloric intake and avoid excessive weight loss by consuming high-calorie foods. These include butter, milk, cheese, honey and sugars.
- Focus on liquids and soft foods if you are nauseated or have difficulty swallowing. Blended drinks such as fruit smoothies may be more tolerable than solid foods. Commercially prepared liquid diet supplements are also useful.
- To be sure you are getting enough of the nutrients you need, you may want to ask your doctor if nutritional supplements are right for you.
