Eating a nutrient- and protein-dense diet for cancer can prove beneficial in treatment, recovering from surgeries and quality of prolonged life. According to the Stanford Cancer Center, biological immunotherapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, radiation and surgeries are physically taxing and can result in a patient's lack of appetite. When patients lose their appetite, weight begins to drop, the immune system is further compromised and they can fall victim to malnutrition. The most important step that an individual can take during treatment is to maintain adequate nutrition by increasing intake of protein and fat calories.
Strength and Stamina
Cancer treatments can be especially harsh, causing nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. To maintain the muscle mass, stamina and strength to withstand treatment, the patient is advised to keep her weight constant. To counter weight loss, the Stanford Cancer Center recommends a diet high in protein and fat that includes milk and milk products, cooked eggs, sauces and gravies, as well as butter, margarine and oils.
Dangers of Dehydration
Water intake and electrolyte replenishment is especially important following treatments that cause diarrhea and vomiting, including cancer treatment. The Merck Manual of Health and Aging suggests that important electrolytes can be lost during bouts with dehydration, compromising the balance of sodium, calcium, magnesium, potassium, chloride, phosphate and carbonate. Without these electrolytes present and in balance, vital organs begin to shut down and create new problems that can threaten the patient's life.
Malnutrition Prevention
In malnutrition, the body begins to shut down due to not eating or receiving adequate amounts of vitamins, nutrients and trace elements. Eating a diet hefty in nutritional value paired with proteins and fat can stave off malnutrition and the need for supplements. The American Cancer Society's oncology journal CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians suggests that if malnutrition continues, the conditions for survivability are threatened and muscle-, fat- and tissue-wasting begins.
Cancer Anorexia
Anorexia is a progressive condition in cancer, where the individual loses interest in food intake or can no longer pass foods through the mouth. The individual begins to lose weight rapidly, along with muscle mass, tissue and fat the body requires to heal itself or recover. The Wellstar Health System defines cancer anorexia as an occurrence in both early- and late-stage cancers, resulting in considerable weight loss and weakness. This can jeopardize treatment due to further compromised health and strength needed to withstand chemotherapy or radiation and can limit treatment options.
Cachexia and Cancer Survival
Cachexia is a condition that often goes hand-in-hand with anorexia in cancer patients. It is the loss of muscle, fat and tissues on the body as a result of anorexia and malabsorption of nutrients. Wellstar Health System warns that without prompt intervention by stimulating the appetite, maintaining nourishment and nutrition and control of diarrhea and vomiting, the individual will no longer respond to treatments and survival rates are grim.
Nourishment Through Tube Feeding
Tube feeding, also referred to as enteral tube feeding, is the insertion of a tube that travels to the stomach and provides liquid nutrients. These tubes are either inserted into the body via the nasal passages, or through an incision made in the abdomen. In cancer patients, tube feedings are necessary to maintain health status and prolong life when entering food by mouth is no longer an option. Fluids and nutrition delivered in this way, according to Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, can increase patient stamina and strength during treatments; increase turnaround time between surgeries and treatment efforts; and allow the patient to relax knowing he is getting adequate nourishment.
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