Nutrition in the treatment of cancer patients
Over the decades, studies conducted around the world indicate that diet plays an important role in the development, propagation, and also in the prevention of cancer. Among cancer deaths caused by environmental factors, diet contributes approximately 35%. An adjusted, balanced, and adequate diet could prevent three to four million new cases of cancer per year.
As important as adopting a diet to prevent cancer or its recurrence is the concern for nutrition during cancer treatment. The side effects of treatments such as chemotherapy hinder the acceptance of a range of foods, and the answer to maintaining the patient’s body nutritional balance lies in their diet: with what is put on the plate and in the glass, it is possible to alleviate such adverse effects and ensure the intake of what is necessary to keep the body strong to fight cancer.
Change in taste during treatment
Loss of appetite and changes in taste, which are natural during the treatment period, should also be taken into consideration. Malnutrition is common among these cancer patients, ranging from 40% to 80% of cases. This is because the constant side effects take away their desire to face a plate of food.
Learn what to include and what to remove from your diet – and practical tips for doing so -, get to know the main myths and truths about nutrition during cancer treatment, and find out which medical specialists to rely on to make everything simpler.
What to include in your diet during cancer treatment
Certain foods or ways of preparing and consuming them are more effective against each type of side effect of cancer treatment.
To relieve nausea and vomiting:
Consume cold or chilled foods;
Eat acidic and citrus foods (such as lemon, orange, strawberry, and pineapple); and
Eat small portions several times a day.
To prevent or alleviate the discomfort of diarrhea:
Increase your intake of healthy liquids, such as water, tea, and juice.
To prevent constipation:
Eat fiber-rich foods, such as beans, peas, lentils, chickpeas, soybeans, brown rice,
flaxseed, and oats; and
Drink plenty of water.
To prevent against mucositis (mouth sores)
Prefer soft and/or pasty foods (leguminous cream – pea, lentil, corn -, purees, soft breads, ice creams, puddings, gelatin);
Consume cold or chilled foods.
To improve the feeling of dry mouth:
Ingest plenty of liquids (water, tea, juice, soup);
Eat acidic and citrus foods (such as lemon, orange, strawberry, and pineapple);
Suck on ice cubes; and
Before meals, apply industrialized artificial saliva ointments to the mouth.
Diet, Nutrition, and Cancer: Strengthening the Immune System
Additionally, it is important to consider that, in order to address the need for repairs of the adverse effects of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy treatments, the immune system needs to be strengthened.
To strengthen the immune system, it is ideal to include in the daily diet foods rich in antioxidants, such as garlic, almonds, sweet potatoes, broccoli, spinach, low-fat yogurt, watermelon, and cabbage.
Hydration is another important point in nutrition during cancer treatment, as the elimination of many toxic compounds from chemotherapy and radiotherapy occurs through urine. Adequate water consumption is necessary, therefore, to assist in detoxifying the body. Ideally, drink mineral or filtered water.
Overall, cancer patients should maintain a diet that prioritizes plant-based foods: fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and leguminous (such as beans and peas). These ingredients have the power to inhibit the arrival of carcinogenic components to the cells and also to repair damaged DNA when the aggression has already begun. If the cell is already altered at a point beyond repair, some nutritional compounds are capable of promoting its death, preventing the continued uncontrolled multiplication of diseased cells.
When consuming meat, whether red or white, preference should be given to those prepared steamed, stewed, braised, or roasted.
Studies linking the Mediterranean diet to the prevention and/or treatment of cancer have shown the beneficial effects of consuming foods that form the basis of this diet – fish, fruits, vegetables, extra virgin olive oil, and wine – in containing the progression of the disease.
What to avoid in your diet during cancer treatment
Certain foods or ways of preparing and consuming them worsen the side effects of cancer treatment.
- To relieve nausea and vomiting:
Avoid or reduce the use of strong seasonings in food preparation; and
Do not overfill the plate at each meal.
To avoid or alleviate the discomfort of diarrhea:
Do not consume concentrated sweets, cream, butter, cheeses, and whole grains, which are laxatives;
Avoid natural foods that loosen the intestines, such as cow’s milk and fruits like papaya, orange, grape, and black plum.
- Against constipation
Avoid adding refined grains to meals, such as white rice, refined wheat flour, cornmeal, cornstarch, and instead prefer whole grains.
- Against mucositis (mouth sores)
Avoid spicy, salty, and/or strongly seasoned foods; and
Do not consume acidic and citrus foods (such as lemon, orange, strawberry, pineapple).
To improve the feeling of dry mouth:
Avoid foods high in salt; and
Do not season the food excessively.
Foods with high amounts of fats, sugars, and sodium should be avoided during treatment, such as processed meats, cold cuts (sausages, sausages, and salami, for example, due to their high sodium and fat content), soda, alcoholic beverages, and artificial juices.
Very well-done or fried meats, such as barbecue, can contain carcinogenic compounds formed during cooking and should be consumed in moderation.
h5-8 practical nutrition tips to make your day easier during treatment
- For physical and psychological reasons, foods with a “homemade taste” are better accepted by cancer patients. Cooking at home or having someone who can do it for the patient, or even relying on specialized services for home-cooked food delivery, are good ways to approach the meal with more appetite.
- Filling 2/3 of the plate with vegetables, fruits, whole grains, leguminous, nuts, and seeds is a good way to ensure the necessary nutritional intake.
- Limiting daily salt intake to the equivalent of 1 teaspoon is a good way to maintain food flavor without compromising health.
- Check the amount of sodium on food labels, compare it to similar products, and choose the one with the least amount of this component.
- Use natural seasonings in food preparation; instead of using ready-made supermarket seasonings, how about chopping garlic, onion, and fresh herbs at home?
- Avoid drinking liquids during meals. They cause food to pass more quickly through the gastrointestinal tract and, consequently, decrease the body’s ability to absorb nutrients.
- Creating a meal routine – with set meal times and durations – is a good strategy to ensure a consistent nutritional intake. The body quickly adjusts its biological clock to these times and intervals.
- Having seven to eight meals a day. By splitting the meals, you increase your appetite.
Which doctors should provide guidance on nutrition during cancer treatment
Regarding food and nutrition, multidisciplinary cancer treatment should include, in addition to the oncologist, nutritionists and dietitians.
h6-Myths and truths about nutrition during cancer treatment
Every cancer patient needs artificial food supplementation
MYTH. Most people do not need supplementation, as a balanced diet tends to be sufficient to protect the body. The use of tablets, capsules, powders, and liquids to supplement vitamins and minerals should only be done after physical and clinical examinations, if the doctors overseeing the treatment consider it necessary. Taking supplements on your own can be harmful to your health and compromise treatment.
Pork should be avoided during cancer treatment
MYTH. Many believe that pork hinders healing and regeneration of the body during cancer treatment, but there is no scientific basis to confirm this relationship. However, it is better to consume leaner versions, i.e., with less fat, such as roasted pork loin.
It is possible to cure cancer with diet alone
MYTH. Although a healthy and balanced diet is essential and aids in the treatment of the disease, no food has the power to cure any type of cancer.
Consuming iron-rich foods, such as liver, red meat, and kale, helps combat anemia in chemotherapy patients
MYTH: In many cases, the anemia that occurs in chemotherapy patients is not related to iron deficiency, but to other factors. For the treatment of iron deficiency anemia, iron supplementation through medications is recommended.
The consumption of nuts can prevent the formation of polyps in the intestine
TRUE. Studies indicate that consuming a portion of nuts, such as Brazil nuts, walnuts, and almonds, three times a week, reduces the occurrence of polyps in the large intestine.
REFERENCES:
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2 Abrale – Alimentação e câncer. Available at: https://www.abrale.org.br/informacoes/alimentacao-e-cancer/
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