Nutritional Guidelines

By Kim Dalzell, PhD, RD, LD, Director, Holistic Nutrition Services, Cancer Treatment Centers of America, and Author of Challenge Cancer and Win!

Avoid malnutrition

As little as a five percent weight loss can reduce your ability to cope with treatment side effects and negatively affect your recovery. Research confirms that aggressive nutritional support techniques used in cancer patients have reduced complication rates of surgery and may extend survival times, so talk with a registered dietitian about which weight gain strategies may be right for you.

Achieve a healthy weight

Excessive weight can elevate serum levels of growth hormones that may prompt some cancer cells to grow and spread. Body size and fat are associated with an increased risk of several cancers, including cancers of the breast, colon and endometrium. You should lose weight safely, taking care to avoid quick weight loss, which deprives the body of valuable nutrients needed for growth and repair and may reduce the fighting capacity of your immune system.

Optimize your digestive capacity

Conventional cancer treatments may interrupt the delicate balance within the gastrointestinal tract—potentially interfering with the digestion and absorption of nutrients. Natural therapies for many GI side effects, like excessive bloating and cramping, nausea, diarrhea, and constipation, include the use of digestive enzymes, probiotics, ginger capsules, soluble fiber (beans, oats, apples) and increased fluids.

Eat a cancer-fighting diet

Foods made from hydrogenated fats, refined sugars and flours and other additives may be convenient sometimes, but take their toll on long-term health. Eating too much fat, or the wrong kinds of fat, or too much sugar, can suppress immunity and may stimulate cancer cell division and growth. A diet that emphasizes whole grains, legumes and colorful fruits and vegetables will provide your body with plant substances that may prevent cancer-causing agents from entering cells, help repair genetic damage, protect against free-radical damage, assist the liver in detoxification and inactivate enzymes responsible for tumor growth. High fiber foods may have more than one health-promoting factor. Besides assisting with detoxification, recent studies suggest that components found in grains, like folate and calcium, might have equally important chemopreventive actions. Genistein, an isoflavone found in soy beans, has also been shown to stop the growth of human bladder, breast, prostate and squamous cell cancers in several test tube studies. And deep-sea fish and flaxseed, which are sources of omega-3 fatty acids, may slow tumor growth and reduce the metastatic properties of cervical and other cancers.

Support yourself during cancer treatment

Studies have shown that certain vitamins and minerals called antioxidants and other accessory nutrients may prevent, inhibit or reverse one or more stages of the cancer process through a variety of pathways. Considerable data shows that taking dietary supplements may improve immunity, detoxify cancer-causing compounds, block cellular damage and reduce toxicity of cancer treatment. Natural therapies for side effects include the use of vitamin E for mouth sores, CoQ10 to protect against heart damage during Adriamycin treatment and vitamins A, C, and E and selenium, zinc, calcium and milk thistle to support liver health. You may also be able to fortify the immune system with vitamins and minerals, amino acids and herbs. Numerous studies also show that mushroom compounds can stimulate T-lymphocytes, macrophages and natural killer cells.

Treat side effects naturally

Poor Appetite:		Consume small, frequent meals and put smaller servings on plates. The sight of large portions can overwhelm the picky eater. Choose snacks wisely. Soy puddings, organic yogurts, buttermilk, low fat cheeses and raw nuts are easy to digest. Herbs that many stimulate appetite include fennel seeds, ginger root, ginseng, papaya and peppermint.
Nausea and Vomiting:		Try ginger capsules prior to meals and during chemotherapy. Whole grain crackers or other dry, starchy foods and olives have an effect of decreasing salivation. Avoid spicy, heavy, fatty processed or junk foods prior to and during treatment. Have meals served cold or delivered uncovered.
Fatigue:		Avoid nutrient-robbing foods like refined sugar and flour products, alcohol, fats and caffeine. B vitamins play a role in energy metabolism and support the adrenal glands during stressful situations. Ginseng may also help to combat fatigue; please seek the advice of a professional before you take ginseng if you have low blood sugar, hypertension or a heart condition.
Constipation:		Drink more water. Eat high pectin foods like apples, bananas, carrots and cabbage. Vegetable fiber and pectin are also available as dietary supplements. Eat prunes or figs—both are natural laxatives. Freshly ground flaxseed can help soften stools.
Diarrhea:		Drink plenty of potassium-rich citrus juices or take kelp. The prolonged loss of fluids can lead to dehydration and loss of necessary minerals like potassium, sodium and magnesium. Oat bran, rice bran, yogurt and other fermented dairy products provide soluble fiber and help to rebalance the gastrointestinal tract. Carob powder is high in protein and may halt diarrhea. Add to cereals, beverages or yogurt.

Use supplements wisely

Studies suggest that over 60 percent of cancer patients take dietary supplements, but many don’t seek guidance about dietary supplements from a trained health care professional. It is essential that you don’t self-prescribe because the dietary supplements you choose may interfere with your prescription medications or potentially reduce the effectiveness of chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Rather, look for a licensed or board certified health care professional in your area who specializes in nutritional therapies during cancer treatment. These individuals are trained to evaluate your medical history, current medication and treatment protocol, blood work and dietary intake so that a plan for optimal health can be formulated. Contact the American Dietetic Association at 800.877.1600 for a dietetic professional near you. You may also receive nutritional counseling through Cancer Treatment Centers of America’s Cancer Resource Center. Call 800.940.2822 for more information.

Dietary Hurdles for Eating Well

(Adapted from Challenge Cancer and Win!, 2002)

Hurdle One

Candy
Soda Pop
Diet Soda Pop
Jellies & Jams
Syrups
Popsicles
Processed Honey
Brown & White Sugar
Chocolate
Commercial Baked Goods
Commercial Cereals
Non-Dairy Creamers
Hydrogenated Oils
Margarines
Artificial Fats
Coconut & Palm Oils
Fried Snack Foods
Bacon Bits
Beef
Processed Cheeses

Hurdle Two

Fruit Juice Popsicles
Canned Fruit in Heavy Syrup
Flavored Seltzers, Teas
Sorbet & Sherbet
Fruit & Juice Alone
Raw Sugar
Sweetened Carob
Decaf Tea & Coffee
White Rice, Pasta & Bread
Ice Cream & Whipped Cream
High-Fat Cheeses
Butter
Mayonnaise
Peanuts
Roasted Seeds & Nuts
Organ Meats
Fried Fish & Poultry
Smoked Meats & Fish
Canned Meats

Hurdle Three

Frozen Juices
Commercial Juices
Fruit Spreads
Grain Sweeteners
Blackstrap Molasses
Date Sugar
Raw Honey
Unsweetened Carob
Granola
Whole Grain Muffins
Plain Cereals
Low-Fat Cheese
Whole Milk
Sweetened Yogurt
Frozen Yogurt
Canola & Olive Oils
Safflower & Sunflower Oils
Canned Legumes
Canned Vegetables
Eggs
Meat & Poultry
Frozen & Breaded Fish

Hurdle Four

Fresh Fruit Juices
All Fruit Sorbets
Dried Fruits
Frozen Fruits
Herbal Teas
Whole Grain Bread, Pasta & Cereal
Goat's Milk
Buttermilk
Low-fat Milk
Tofu & Soy
Legumes
No-Added-Fat Nuts
Frozen Veggies
Organic Eggs
Organic Meats
Organic Tuna
Fresh Salmon
Sardines

Hurdle Five

Purified Water
Free Range Meats
Fresh Veggies
Fruit w/ Skin
Lentils, Peas & Beans
Plain Yogurt
Buckwheat
Quinoa
Amaranth
Raw Nuts & Seeds
Bran
Wild Game

Make changes to your diet one step at a time. As you work your way through the hurdles, you will begin to eat fewer processed foods and consume more natural foods—ones that will provide you with cancer-fighting chemicals and nutrients to aid in recovery and optimize your health!