Cancer Care

Diet and Nutrition Therapy

Research has shown that cancerous tumors may produce chemicals that change the way the body uses nutrients. The human body's use of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats may be affected, especially by stomach and intestinal tumors. To ensure proper nutrition, a cancer patient has to consume enough foods that contain the essential nutrients of vitamins, minerals, protein, and carbohydrates. Malnutrition can cause cancer patients to be weak, tired, and unable to resist infections or withstand needed cancer therapies. Not consuming enough protein and calories is a common nutrition problem faced by many cancer patients as these are important for healing, fighting infection, and providing enough energy for daily activities. Sometimes a patient may appear to be eating enough, but the body may not be able to absorb all the nutrients. Thus, diets high in protein and calories can help prevent the onset of cachexia, a disease common among cancer patients who appear to be physically wasting away.

Nutrition therapy can help maintain body weight and strength, prevent body tissue from breaking down, rebuild tissue, and fight infection. Nutritional guidelines for cancer patients can be very different from the usual suggestions for healthful eating. People who eat as suggested during cancer treatment may be able to handle higher dosages of certain anticancer treatments.

Another treatment that may help relieve cancer symptoms and side effects that cause weight loss is through natural drug supplements. These are natural drugs that can relieve the symptoms of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation and increase the production of pancreatic enzymes.

Surgery

More than half of all patients who have cancer, including head, neck, stomach, and intestinal cancer, elect to have surgery. The surgical procedure may involve the removal of all or part of the affected organ. Surgery increases the body's need for nutrients and energy to heal the wounds. This can also result in complications that affect a patient's ability to eat and metabolize food.

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