A study published in the October 2010 issue of "Oncology Reports," by Alexander Strohle, Kurt Zanker and Andreas Hahn, found that dietary support for cancer patients is extremely important. The authors state cancer patients may require more "micronutrients" than people in good health. Furthermore, they say, cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy could benefit from daily multivitamin supplementation, extra vitamin D and additional omega-3 fatty acids, among other nutrients.
Consume Enough Vitamin D and E
Patients with a form of blood cancer known as multiple myeloma were found to have nutritional deficiencies while being treated with chemotherapy in a study published in "Clinical Nutrition," in August 2010. Researchers noticed lowered blood levels of the fat-soluble vitamins D and E in these chemotherapy patients. They did not find alterations in levels of vitamin A, B6, B12 or vitamin C during treatment. The authors suggest further research is needed to determine whether chemotherapy patients could benefit from specific nutritional therapy. Good sources of vitamin D are beef, cereals, eggs, fish and dairy. Vitamin E is found in cereals, nuts, seeds, vegetable oils and canned tomato paste.
Choose Foods High in Flavonoids
In the March 2010 issue of "Oncology Nursing Forum," a study suggests foods containing flavonoids may help reduce some unpleasant side effects of chemotherapy. The experiment tested Concord grape juice to see if it would reduce "chemotherapy-induced vomiting." Subjects in the experimental group drank grape juice with meals during the week after their chemotherapy treatment. A placebo group did not drink the juice. Results indicated the subjects who drank the grape juice had fewer side effects from chemotherapy, but the results were not statistically significant due to the small number of participants. In spite of this, the researchers hope future studies will find flavonoids in foods helpful to those cancer patients experiencing nausea from treatment. Flavonoids are found in fruits and vegetables such as onions, cranberries, broccoli, grapes, tomatoes and apples.
Eat Enough Protein
Chemotherapy can cause a problem with the balance of nitrogen in the body, say nutritional researchers Olof Gudny Geirsdottir and Inga Thorsdottir, from the Unit for Nutrition Research at National University Hospital in Reykjavik, Iceland. A "negative nitrogen balance," they conclude, causes the body to lose protein, including from muscle. When nitrogen is broken down too quickly in the body, there will not be enough protein available for tissue growth. Therefore, chemotherapy patients could benefit from additional protein in the diet. The best sources of protein include meat, dairy, nuts and beans.
Include Healthy Fats
Patients undergoing chemotherapy may gain or lose weight depending on the individual and the type of cancer involved. Breast cancer patients are more likely to gain body fat during chemotherapy, and may benefit from a low-fat diet. Other patients who experience weight loss should still follow a healthy diet. According to the University of Michigan Health System, the healthiest fats are monounsaturated fats, which are found in vegetable oils, nuts and seeds; and polyunsaturated fats, which include the omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 is found in fish, walnuts and flax seed.
Consider Liquid Foods
Staying hydrated is important for chemotherapy patients, especially if they are suffering from vomiting or diarrhea, says Karen Wagner, M.S., R.D., L.D.N., and Jaimie Bornstein, M.P.H., R.D., C.D.N.. Fluids in the form of protein drinks, milkshakes, or other high-carbohydrate nutritional beverages are beneficial, especially if solid food is difficult to eat, they say. Another benefit of liquid foods is that they are easy and quick to prepare, especially if the patient is feeling too tired to cook. This can help ensure meeting dietary needs.
References
- "Oncology Reports"; Nutrition in Oncology: The Case of Micronutrients (Review); Alexander Strohle, Kurt Zanker, and Andreas Hahn; October, 2010
- "Clinical Nutrition"; Reduced Nutritional Status Among Multiple Myeloma Patients During Treatment with High-Dose Chemotherapy and Autologous Stem Cell Support; Per Ole Iversen, Finn Wisloff, and Nina Gulbrandsen; August, 2010
- "Oncology Nursing Forum"; Effect of Concord Grape Juice on Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Results of a Pilot Study; Gail L. ingersoll, Amy Wasilewski, Michele Haller, Kishan Pandya, John Bennett, Hua He, Claire Hoffmire, and Cynthia Berry; March 2010
- "Food and Nutrition Research"; Nutritional Status of Cancer Patients in Chemotherapy; Dietary Intake, Nitrogen Balance and Screening; Olof Gudny Geirsdottir and Inga Thorsdottir; December, 2008
- "The Middle European Journal of Medicine"; Effects of a High-Fat Diet on Body Composition in Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy: A Randomized Controlled Study; Raoul Breitkreutz, Kaare Tesdal, Dirk Jentschura, Oliver Haas, Hans Leweling, and Eggert Holm; October, 2005
- "Today's Dietitian": Nutrition Management During Chemotherapy: Karen Wagner, M.S., R.D., L.D.N., and Jaimie Bornstein, M.P.H., R.D., C.D.N.: September, 2009
