Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Diet for Cancer Patients

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Battling cancer is one of the bravest, most difficult challenges that people can potentially ever encounter. Those with cancer may feel incessantly weak or exhausted and their appetite may be affected. “Normal” eating habits aren’t found to be prevalent among cancer patients, as some may not be hungry at all for 24 hours or longer. When cancer patients do find themselves feeling hungry, they may be curious as to which foods are best. What kind of diet is the best for those fighting cancer?

Eating healthy is essential in maintaining a healthy and prolonged life. For cancer sufferers, keeping up with a healthy diet is imperative in fighting the big fight. The National Cancer Institute’s website emphasizes the importance of consuming foods high in protein and calories in order to gain a much needed dose of extra strength and a boost of energy. The website also states that at times, more dairy products may need to be ingested.

The National Cancer Institute also urges that cancer patients pay special attention to their specific needs, as some cancer sufferers may have difficulty swallowing and chewing certain types of foods (they recommend adding sauces to liquefy the food a bit and allow for easier consumption). All types of cancer patients, whether it is breast cancer, skin cancer or mesothelioma causes patients to pay special attention to their diets. In some cases, liquid food meal replacements are simply the only feasible option at that particular time. Cancer patients may also have issues with digestion, therefore eating foods that are low-fiber and more gentle on the digestive tract should be considered. WebMD suggests eggs, cottage cheese, beans, nuts and yogurt since these items are full of protein and easily digested. Drinking a surplus of liquids, especially water, is crucial in the cleansing of one’s system in order to flush out toxins and continue the battle against cancer.

Breast cancer is undoubtedly the most commonly found cancer among women. Women that have been diagnosed with breast cancer need to consider a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids. According to the Cornell University website, a few studies have demonstrated that women who ate foods (like poultry) full of protein and omega-3 fatty acids had a drastically smaller risk of death than those who ate foods that were not high in these particular nutrients.

Ultimately, eating healthy is clearly even more important when one is battling cancer. Depending on the type of treatment there can be different shifts in weight. Many people have the idea that cancer patients struggle to gain weight but often times patients struggle with weight gain. Cancer medications affect everyone differently, but maintaining a healthy diet is always important. Doing research and speaking with medical professionals is the best way to figure out which diet is best for what type of cancer.

Liz Davies is a recent college graduate and aspiring writer especially interested in health and wellness. She wants to make a difference in people’s lives because she sees how cancer has devastated so many people in this world. Liz also likes running, playing lacrosse, reading and playing with her dog, April.

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