Why Nutrition can Play a Key Role when Dealing with Mesothelioma ...

We?ve all heard the old adage ?you are what you eat.? This tired ? but true ? saying has never been more applicable than when it?s used in reference to cancer patients.

It?s a simple concept. Eat healthy food, create a healthy body. But what exactly is healthy when you?re dealing with a disease like mesothelioma?

For your body, ?healthy? could mean a reduced number or lower intensity of symptoms, or it could mean an actual change in the growth rate of your tumors.

For your diet, ?healthy? should mean whole foods and nutrient-dense foods. The vitamins, minerals and macronutrient ratios provided by such a diet can play a key role in a mesothelioma patient?s fight to heal themselves.

Mesothelioma Nutrition

Mesothelioma patients have different dietary needs than healthy people. Initially, their caloric intake will need to be adjusted.

Mesothelioma?s symptoms and side effects of treatment ? like appetite loss, nausea and diarrhea ? can make it difficult for the body to take in and retain enough calories to support recovery. However, patients need the calories for energy. When the body is working hard to attack the cancerous cells, it uses more energy than it did when it was healthy.

Even when it is difficult, patients should strive to add calorically dense healthy foods to bulk up their diet. Try peanut butter, avocadoes and whole grains (like brown rice or quinoa) when looking to add healthy calories to a meal.

Protein is also a key macronutrient that mesothelioma patients will need to prevent loss of muscle mass. Cancer patients should strive for protein sources that don?t come from animals since animal protein has been linked to an increased risk of cancer. Aim for several daily servings of the following:

• Dark leafy greens
• Nuts
• Beans
• Tofu or tempeh
• Whole grains

With the increase in calories comes an opportunity to deliver more nutrients to the body. Fresh fruits and vegetables should be a significant presence on a mesothelioma patient?s plate. Produce is packed with essential vitamins that the body can use to fight the disease.

Studies have shown that vitamins A, B, C and K can strengthen the body?s response against cancer. The antioxidants and phytochemicals contained within foods like leafy greens and berries have the ability to boost a mesothelioma patient?s immune system and potentially impede the cancer?s growth.

Author bio: Faith Franz is a writer for the Mesothelioma Center. She combines her interests in whole-body health and medical research to educate the mesothelioma community about the newest developments in cancer care.

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