Nutrition and Diet

As many as 35 percent of cancer cases can be connected to poor nutrition. Developing mesothelioma is not connected to bad nutrition, but patients who have healthy dietary habits can help fight the disease.

A diet that is balanced and healthy can aid in preventing cancer and other health issues. There is always an argument regarding which foods and the quantities in which they should be eaten are best, but there are some basic guidelines that can be agreed upon – don’t eat junk food, don’t overeat, and pay attention to how certain foods affect the body.
Setting Your Nutritional Guidelines

mesothelioma althernative treatmentNutritional guidelines are different for everyone. What you eat depends on factors like your age, weight, height, overall health, and genetics. The calories you take in should be heavy with nutrients. Things like fast food, sweets, and processed foods slow down the immune system and metabolism and block the lymphatic system. Diets rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and protein are the best. Dairy products and healthy carbohydrates (potatoes and whole wheat pasta, for instance) can be added to this.

Cancer can develop for any number of reasons, no matter how well you eat. Even when a healthy person gets cancer, sticking to that healthy diet can be extremely helpful during treatment and healing. Things like vitamins, minerals, fats, proteins, and carbohydrates have important roles in the workings of a healthy body. If nutrients are not in balance it is difficult for the body to fight cancer and malnutrition can make a cancer patient vulnerable to infections. Cancer patients often die from the conditions caused by their weakened state rather than the cancer itself.
Nutrition as a Treatment

Anyone who is diagnosed with cancer should immediately work up a nutritional plan with his or her doctor. Nutrition can be as important as chemotherapy, radiation, or other treatments because it can increase the chances of survival. Good nutrition can also help relieve some of cancer’s symptoms, improving quality of life at the same time.

Nausea is one of the most frequently reported side effects of both cancer and some cancer treatments like chemotherapy. Certain changes in diet can address this issue. Bland foods and dry foods like crackers and toast that are made from grains can ease nausea.
Aiding the Immune System

It is also common for the white blood cell count of cancer patients to be low. This, just as with malnutrition, can make it an easier to contract an infection. There are a variety of things people with cancer can do that can help avoid this scenario:

    * Stay away from buffets when going out to eat
    * Avoid sushi and raw meat
    * Discard old, bruised, or otherwise damaged food
    * Always thoroughly wash hands before preparing food

stay healthyTips for a Healthier Lifestyle

Cancer is a very complicated condition and no matter how diligently some people stick to a diet heavy in nutrition, they may not be able to avoid developing cancer. But most cancer patients will probably benefit in some way from a balanced diet. Combine that with these tips and the body will be stronger and more able to fight the disease.

    * Don’t drink alcohol in excess
    * Keep track of your weight, making sure you do not gain or lose too much
    * Learn how to safely prepare food
    * Be sure that fruits and vegetables make up at least 50 percent of your diet
    * Stay away from processed foods
    * Buy organic whenever possible
    * Cut out all forms of tobacco
    * Eat plenty of fiber

Your doctor can help you learn all the ways to lower your risk of cancer, like exercise as well as a balanced diet. If you do develop cancer, changes like this will help you be better able to fight cancer.

References:

American Cancer Society

Centers for Disease Control

National Cancer Institute

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