Cancer treatments can leave patients with side effects such as changes in taste, mouth sores, fatigue and loss of appetite. All of these side effects can make it difficult to eat and can result in weight loss. Nutritional supplements can help cancer patients gain and maintain weight. However, always talk with your doctor before starting any supplement.
Fish Oil Supplements
According to Medline Plus, fish oil supplements have been found to prevent weight loss that can be caused by cancer treatments such as chemotherapy. Fish oil is high in omega 3 fatty acids which has been shown to improve mood and behavior associated with depression. Taking 7.5 g of fish oil supplements a day has been found to slow the weight loss in some cancer patients. Scientists are not sure if patients' weight loss slows because because mood improvement.
Nutritional Drinks
Nutritional drinks, such as Ensure, contain fat and protein that help people to gain or maintain weight. An 8 oz. serving of Ensure contains 250 calories, 6g of fat and 9g of protein. Ensure contains 24 vitamins and minerals along with omega-3 fatty acids. Ensure comes in dark chocolate, vanilla, milk chocolate, strawberries and cream, butter pecan and coffee latte.
Flaxseed
Flaxseed comes from the flax plant and can be in two forms, seeds or as an oil. Flaxseed contains fiber, protein, omega-3 fatty acids, alpha-linolenic acid, which is another type of fatty acid, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Flaxseed oil contains 9 calories per gram, which is a lot of calories for a small amount. This calorie dense food can be mixed in with any type of food. You can add it to smoothies or yogurt, sprinkle it on a casserole, or mix it with mashed potatoes.
Effects of Weight Gain Supplements
To fully reap the benefits of weight gain supplements, they should be consumed as snacks in addition to your regular meals. Cancer patients can find eating difficult, so drink products like Ensure when you have to. Always consult with your doctor before taking any type of supplement.
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