Radiation therapy is a treatment method used to kill cancer cells. Good nutrition is an important component to keep your body strong and healthy, and it becomes even more important when you have cancer. A healthy diet can improve your energy levels, boost your immune system, prevent weight loss, help your body heal faster from radiation treatments and improve your overall prognosis, according to the National Cancer Institute.
Calorie Requirements
Cancer can increase your metabolism, which causes your body to burn more energy. As a result, you will require additional calories to nourish your body. People with cancer require between 11.4 to 16 calories per pound of body weight per day. A registered dietitian is trained to assess an individual's nutritional status and calculate nutritional requirements. A registered dietitian will also take into consideration any other medical conditions that may affect your nutritional needs. If you need to increase the calories in your diet, try eating three meals plus three snacks daily. Add extra butter, gravy, shredded cheese or sauces to the foods you are eating for additional calories.
Protein Requirements
Cancer also increases a person's protein requirements. Increasing the amount of protein in your diet can prevent muscle wasting and can also help your body heal faster from radiation therapy. To meet your body's protein needs, people with cancer should consume between 0.55 and 0.68 grams of protein per pound of body weight per day. This recommendation could vary if you have additional medical conditions. Good sources of protein include meat, poultry, fish, eggs, nuts, seeds and dairy products such as milk, cheese and yogurt.
Healthy Diet
While undergoing radiation therapy, eat a healthy diet that includes a variety of foods. Whole grains, fruits, vegetables, dairy products and protein foods should be eaten daily to give your body the energy and nutrients it needs. If, however, you develop side-effects from radiation therapy that makes it difficult to eat certain foods, it is okay to omit these foods from your diet on a temporary basis until your symptoms resolve.
Vitamin Supplements
It is very important to discuss any vitamin or mineral supplements with your physician before taking them. Radiation therapy works through a process called oxidiation. Some vitamins are categorized as antioxidants. While antioxidants have been proven helpful in the prevention of cancer, research from the Tufts School of Medicine indicates that antioxidant supplements taken while undergoing radiation therapy may actually interfere with the effectiveness of radiation therapy. Additional research on the subject is needed.
References
- Medline Plus: Diet - Cancer Treatment
- Krause's Food, Nutrition, and Diet Therapy; L. Kathleen Mahan, et al.; 2000
- National Cancer Institute: Overview of Nutrition in Cancer Care
- "The American Society for Nutritional Sciences"; Antioxidants and Radiation Therapy; Carmia Borek; November 2004
- National Cancer Institute: Radiation Therapy for Cancer
