Lung cancer occurs when cancerous cells form in your lungs and may spread rapidly throughout your body. Although family history and exposure to toxic substances, such as asbestos, may contribute, people who smoke are 10 to 20 times more likely to develop and die from lung cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In addition to avoiding tobacco smoke, a healthy diet may help prevent lung cancer and improve your wellness once you have it.
Relationship
The foods you eat on a regular basis may influence your risk for lung cancer. A diet high in cholesterol or alcohol, for example, may heighten your risk for lung cancer. And although research is ongoing, certain foods, such as fruits and vegetables, may lower your risk for the disease. However, any dietary benefits are minor compared to the significant negative risk that smoking creates, according to the CDC. Once you have lung cancer, eating a well-balanced, nutritious diet may guard against complications, improve your physical strength, and increase your chances for full recovery. Eating well when faced with cancer may also promote enjoyment.
Protective Foods
To lower your potential risk for all forms of cancer, the American Cancer Society recommends eating a nutritious, balanced diet that emphasizes plant sources, including at least five servings of various fruits and vegetables per day. Fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and whole grains provide antioxidants, such as vitamin C, beta-carotene and selenium, which may help reduce the cancer-causing effects of toxins known as free radicals. Fiber-rich foods, such as beans, lentils, oats, bran muffins, sweet potatoes, berries, artichokes, broccoli and peas, promote appetite control, which may enhance weight management. A study published in the "American Journal of Epidemiology" in 2000 involving 412 smokers and 412 nonsmokers showed a positive correlation between obesity and an increased risk of lung cancer.
Management Foods
Once you have lung cancer, eating foods rich in iron and B-vitamins, such as whole grains, kale and spinach, may reduce your symptoms. To lower your risk for infections, consume antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables, such as berries, tomatoes, broccoli, citrus fruits, bell peppers and squash. Starches, such as breads, pasta, cereal and rice, provide glucose, your body's main dietary source of energy. Whole-grain starches are your most nutritious options. If your doctor has suggested a low-fiber diet to reduce digestive problems associated with chemotherapy or radiation, stick to low-fiber starches, such as white bread, enriched pasta and instant rice. Healthy fats, which provide energy and help your body absorb fat-soluble nutrients, such as vitamins E and K, are found in nuts, seeds, avocados, vegetable oils and oily fish, such as salmon. Protein in fish and other foods, such as meat, eggs, dairy products and legumes, promote tissue repair and physical strength.
Food Supplements
Supplements provide valuable options if you have difficulty meeting your nutritional needs through food alone, due to reduced appetite or other factors. The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends daily probiotic supplements, containing lactobacillus acidophilus, for maintaining digestive health and immune system function. Probiotics can also be found in cultured dairy products, such as kefir and yogurt, that contain live, active cultures. Omega-3 fatty acid supplements, in the form of fish oil or ground flaxseed, may help reduce inflammation. Supplementing beverages, soups and cereals with powered milk or fortified protein powder can help prevent undesirable weight loss, which may stem from chemotherapy or radiation side effects. A daily multivitamin may help fill nutrient gaps. For best results, seek guidance from your doctor or dietitian.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Lung Cancer - Risk Factors; February 2011
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Lung Cancer; Steven D. Ehrlich, NMD; June 2010
- American Cancer Society; Nutrition and Physical Activity Guidelines for Cancer Prevention; October 2008
- "American Journal of Epidemiology"; Relation Between Body Mass Index and Lung Cancer Risk in Men and Women Never and Former Smokers; Garth H. Rauscher, et al.; September 2000
- American Cancer Society; Low-Fiber Foods; March 2011
