Cancer itself may not be problematic;
in fact many types of cancer can continue to grow in the body without
any warning signs at all, until it is quite widespread or starts causing
other organs to malfunction. For this reason, it is important that all
screening test schedules be adhered to. However, even with proper
screening there are times when the cancer can grow without notice. In
most cases of cancers that are deemed treatable there are three courses
of action which may be taken individually or in some combination with
one another. These are: surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.
The side effects of both chemo and radiation can make a patient
miserable and may seem like they are worse than the cancer itself. These include: nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea,
anemia, hair loss, fatigue, mouth ulcers and sores, yeast infections,
depression and anxiety, insomnia and pain. All of these problems by
themselves can be hard enough to handle, but they often all come at the
same time.
In addition, you get these side effects while you are trying
to cope with cancer and recovering from surgery or other treatments as
well. The last thing that people who are going through this
want to do is to eat, however, solid nutrition will be what gives your
body and mind the strength to fight back and get back to better health.
While each patient
should follow individual recommendations from their doctor for their own
care, it is generally agreed that those who are undergoing chemotherapy
or radiation treatments for cancer care need to have increased
nutrition which includes:
- Whey and other protein supplements for health and caloric boost
- Glutamine, an amino acid found in proteins
- Antioxidants
- Green tea
Whey Protein, Protein Supplements and MCT
The reasons that most cancer patients lose a lot of weight are simple:
a lack of appetite, nausea and vomiting as well as diarrhea which are
common side-effects and finally, the fact that a large portion of the
foods that are eaten will not be absorbed properly by the body because
of the chemotherapy. These three factors working together can make the
chemo patient weaker and weaker and may leave them susceptible for a
number of infections and other problems at their worst moment.
MCT – MCT is a highly absorbable, high calorie oil containing a fat which is a medium chain triglycerides.
There are a number of different products which contain MCT, available
from your health care professional who can also recommend how much of
the product you should use.
Mexican pharmacy optimmune
Whey Protein– Whey protein is easily absorbable and boosts the immune system in a number of ways,
first by supplying immunoglobulins. Whey protein also helps to boost
the optimal intake of other proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and
minerals for overall health. Glutathione is increased by whey protein.
Glutathione is an antioxidant which is necessary for a healthy immune
system. (See the antioxidant section for more information) Glutathione
also lowers the risk of some infections and may inhibit the growth of
some tumors. (Source: Badger)
Whey protein is
an optimal source of amino acids, necessary for a number of the body’s
functions. The whey protein isolate has 90% protein but less lactose,
especially beneficial for those who are lactose intolerant (Source:
Segounis). In addition, whey protein is also important to prevent muscle
breakdown which may be a problem in the presence of lowered caloric
intake. The body, needing energy will use up the energy reserves and
will then turn to the muscles for more energy, breaking them down and
leaving the body even weaker.
Protein Supplements — A lack of appetite can be a major problem.
If there is a moment when you do feel hungry, you should have a snack
that is handy to have when you are ready. Protein snacks and supplements
include shakes, bars and liquid protein supplement shots. Protein bars
should have a high amount of protein but limited sugars because the
sugar, can depress an already stressed immune system.
Supplements
like the liquid protein shot, is a good choice because it is portable
(it comes in a virtually non-breakable plastic tube) small enough to be
carried anywhere, and can be consumed in only a few seconds (it is 2.9
fluid ounces). It gives a full 25 grams of protein per serving as well.
Glutamine — Glutamine
is an important amino acid, one of many that is synthesized by the
human body on its own. Adding a supplement of this amino acid can
protect the cells which line the intestinal tract and can be damaged by
chemotherapy or radiation treatments. (Source: Gottlieb, 2000). Before
adding any type of supplement however, speak to your doctor who may have
other suggestions or may disagree with their use.
Amino acids are important, and are the building blocks that many functions are built upon.
The body makes a number of amino acids beyond glutamine, however, it
cannot make eight of them. The eight amino acids not made by the body
must come from the foods that we eat- both from animal and plant based
sources.
Animal proteins are complete, meaning that they have all eight of these amino acids.
Plant proteins are not complete because they typically are missing one
or more of the amino acids. The only exception to this is soy protein
which is complete. The eight essential amino acids are: threonine,
isoleucine, leucine, valine, methionine, phenylalanine, tryptophan and
lysine. In children, histadine is also needed from food sources.
Antioxidants — Antioxidants are meant to prevent the damage of free radicals in the body.
Free radicals also multiply in the body because of sun damage, smoking,
poor diet and other factors. Whether antioxidants are good for cancer
patients or not is a serious debate. Chemotherapy generates free radicals to destroy the cancerous cells.
On one side of this debate are the doctors who believe that since
antioxidants seek out and neutralize free radicals, then those who are
using chemo should avoid antioxidants or at the very least not add
extras to their diet. However, there are doctors who think that
antioxidants not only boosts the effectiveness of the chemo or radiation
treatment, but also lessens the worrisome side effects! (Source:
Gottlieb, 2000)
Your own doctor may be on the opposite side of the antioxidant debate
than you yourself are. You may want to present your side of the issue
and work out a discussion together. Your best care depends on everyone
being on the same page, working as a team.
Green Tea — Green tea, as well as other teas can help people to feel better.
It also is beneficial for its anti-cancer properties. You can drink
several cups of green tea per day, either hot or cold depending on
taste. In addition, you can use green tea supplements as well. Again, before starting any supplements, discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.