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Although chemotherapy has therapeutic goals, it significantly weakens the body and changes its nutrient requirements. Especially since the side effect of chemotherapy is often a loss of appetite. Meanwhile, proper nutrition during therapy is extremely important for its success. See what a chemotherapy diet should look like to support recovery.
The material was created in cooperation with Nutramil Complex
The term “chemotherapy” is most often used in the context of anti-cancer treatment using cytostatics. The essence of the action of cytostatic drugs is the destruction of cells in the body that differ from normal cells in the way they grow and renew. It is cancer cells that have a larger growth fraction. Unfortunately, cytostatic drugs are not selective and, although to a lesser extent, also destroy healthy cells of the body, especially those that divide quickly, such as bone marrow cells, digestive tract cells, cells of the reproductive organ or hair follicles. It is not indifferent to the body, and the side effects of cytostatics can be very bothersome. However, the effectiveness of chemotherapy in the fight against cancer is very high and is often the only hope for a complete cure.
Side effects of chemotherapy
Cytostatic drugs have a wide range of action. They affect the entire body, destroying the disease, possible metastasis of cancer, but also healthy cells, causing numerous side effects. Side effects can vary widely and vary in intensity depending on the type of medication you are taking. They also depend on the individual response of the organism.
Since cytostatic drugs act on cells with a high growth fraction, they have the most negative effect on the bone marrow. As a result of their action, myelosuppression may occur, i.e. the limited ability to produce the necessary cells just produced there. Red blood cell deficiency results in anemia, i.e. anemia, which is manifested by weakness and a feeling of constant fatigue. Equally dangerous is the decrease in the number of white blood cells, i.e. neutropenia. White blood cells are responsible for fighting various types of infections in the body, and their deficiency can lead to the development of serious diseases. Bone marrow dysfunction caused by cytostatics may also reduce the number of thrombocytes responsible for blood clotting.
Since cytostatic drugs also adversely affect cells in the mouth and digestive tract, they can cause very troublesome ailments from these organs, such as: loss of taste, mouth ulcers, diarrhea, nausea, flatulence or constipation. All these ailments largely hinder normal food intake, which in turn results in malnutrition.
The role of diet in chemotherapy
Proper nutrition is one of the basic factors that have a huge impact on the success of cancer treatment at every stage of the disease, both during active treatment, convalescence and in the palliative stage of the disease. It should be noted here that the optimal proper diet should be introduced as soon as possible. A large number of cancer patients are severely malnourished at the time of diagnosis, and the problem becomes even more severe as the disease progresses. An optimal diet, individually tailored to a given patient, aims to maintain an appropriate body weight, prevent or supplement nutrient deficiencies, and minimize the side effects of medication. In particular, it must provide the body with the right amount of energy that will give the patient the strength needed not only to function normally, but also to fight the disease. It is estimated that the energy demand of an oncological patient is 20%. higher than in a healthy person. The diet must also contain an adequate amount of wholesome protein, even twice as high as in a healthy person, needed to regenerate damaged tissues and ensure the increased work of the immune system. The diet of chemotherapy must also include the right amount of carbohydrates that will ensure the proper metabolism of proteins, and antioxidants supplied with food are necessary to neutralize the harmful effects of free radicals. The diet should contain adequate amounts of vitamin E, C, beta-carotene, but also selenium, zinc, copper, magnesium, iron, coenzyme Q10 and phytosterols. It should also contain an appropriate amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids.
Not all diets are healthy and safe for our body. It is recommended that you consult your doctor before starting any diet, even if you do not have any health concerns.
When choosing a diet, never follow the current fashion. Remember that some diets, incl. low in particular nutrients or strongly limiting calories, and mono-diets can be debilitating for the body, carry a risk of eating disorders, and can also increase appetite, contributing to a quick return to the former weight.
Diet with chemotherapy and during convalescence
How to provide the body with all the necessary nutrients when eating is not a pleasure, and often quite the opposite? Changes in taste and smell, lack of saliva, dry mouth and even anorexia are often difficult barriers to overcome. Even if some food is swallowed, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are sometimes present. Depending on their severity, all of these symptoms may cause a permanent or only temporary resignation from eating certain foods.
There are a few things to keep in mind in your chemotherapy diet. First of all, we eat it in small portions, every 2-3 hours, as soon as we feel hungry. It helps to avoid highly flavored and spicy foods. Food is usually best served warm, but not hot. The consistency is also important, because the irritated digestive system reacts better to pasty foods, such as soups, creams or purees. Food should be easy to digest, but at the same time nutritious. You should ensure proper hydration of the body, giving up carbonated drinks, coffee or juices. You should also give up nuts and fried foods, as well as whole grains, rich in fiber, because it does not have a beneficial effect on irritated intestines.
With so many difficulties, it is very difficult to provide the body with the right amount of nutrients. That is why medical foods such as Nutramil Complex are extremely helpful in nutrition during chemotherapy and during convalescence. High-value concentrates of various compositions, taking into account the increased energy or protein requirements, are an alternative to normal eating or a perfect supplement. The preparations are composed in such a way as to provide all the necessary nutrients – proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals – and at the same time they are residue-free, i.e. free of fiber. In addition, the preparations are available in various flavors, so that each patient can choose a preparation that he will simply eat with pleasure.
The material was created in cooperation with Nutramil Complex