Supporting Cancer’s Side Effects With Proper Nutrition during and after treatment and surgery.

This article is dedicated to my very special friend, Edith who is working with her body and her doctors to rid herself of cancer.  From Edith and I, we dedicate this article to all of you, each and everyone, in the spirit of love and healing. I am featuring a guest writer.  I hope you enjoy her work.

It is critical to remember that nutrition provides the foundational building blocks of the body.  Cancer patients can do a great deal to support their health and healing before, during and after treatment and surgery by adopting appropriate dietary changes for their specific condition and needs.  There are several books written about cancer and the importance of nutrition to cancer patients as well as many scientific studies, published and on-going, that support good nutrition for cancer patients.  There are professionals, like myself, who can guide and coach you to better, more supportive nutrition as walk this path.

Be aware, that as a cancer patient, you may get resistance from your oncologist regarding diet and dietary changes.  One oncologist told a client of mine to make absolutely no dietary changes to their daily junk food diet of burgers, wings, pizza and soda from fast food restaurants.  This individual ate no vegetables or fruit that weren't pasted with tomato sauce, ketchup or mustard to a pizza or burger.  Surely, our gut tells us that a diet of healthy vegetables, fruits and lean proteins has to be more supportive of the body than that!  We know instinctively that a good, wholesome diet can do no harm while a "trash" diet can.  No-one needs to tell you this, you know it to be true deep within yourself.   

Some foods and nutrients can alter the effects or effective dosage rates of chemo drugs by augmenting the effect of the medication. Many oncologists are concerned that a patient will go hog wild supplementing with nutrients that can affect the doctor's ability to control the medication doses, so they prefer to tell you to make no changes than to take chances. I know great oncologists who fully support good nutrition for their patients with the proper support and guidance of a knowledgeable professional like myself or a nutritionist or dietitian. I know oncologists who make a nutrition program an integral part of the treatment plan.   Please use your common sense.  You must realize, that eating whole foods, that contain no colorants, preservatives, antibiotics, hormones or artificial ingredients is going to boost your body and help it meet it's needs during these stressful times. Most importantly it will reduce the strain on the body of having to filter out "junk" you're putting into your system.  Your body is already under stress and assault, don't stress it and assault it further by putting junk in your mouth.  Please feed your body helpful, healing, whole foods and become very sugar conscious. Become very aware of added sugars in the diet.  Limit, restrict or best of all go sugar free. You will need energy and sometimes fast energy, but you can get it from eating fruit, good whole grain breads and other sources without loading your body and feeding your cancer with refined sugar.  Consider smoothies and juices as a way to get powerful, action packed nutrition in a palatable, digestible and enjoyable form.


Realize that the people who support you lovingly and with care, are under stress too.  They should also be caring for themselves with a good, clean, healthy diet and perhaps some supplements to support a stressed system like vitamin B or other blended supplements that help support the immune system and combat the effects of stress on the body.


I hope you find this article helpful and if you need any further support or guidance you can contact me at Nature and Nurture Nutrition.  My e-mail is drcoen@natureandnurture.co and my phone number is 315-945-4565




Supporting Cancer’s Side Effects With Proper Nutrition during and after treatment and surgery by JILLIAN McKEE

Going through cancer treatments can be rough. The side effects of medication, radiation, chemotherapy and surgical interventions can cause a wide variety of issues that lead to malnutrition. Proper nutrition is important before, during and after treatment. Choosing the right foods can help cancer patients like those with mesothelioma feel better, increase their energy and gain the strength they need to cope with their side effects. In addition, eating foods that supply adequate amounts of protein, carbohydrates, fiber and essential fatty acids can help fight infection, keep weight steady and give patients a better chance at recovery.

Certain tumors will change the way the body uses particular nutrients. This is especially true for those fighting stomach or intestinal cancers. When digestion is affected, consuming enough nutrients can be difficult. While it may appear the diet is adequate, the body might not be absorbing certain macronutrients due to inflammation. As a result, the side effects of treatment can cause malnutrition. Vomiting, diarrhea, trouble swallowing or anorexia can lead to weakness, exhaustion and an inability to emotionally make it through treatment.

Paying attention to good nutritional principles can help support cancer patients during this difficult time. It can help the body to heal, decrease side effects and improve a patient’s quality of life. Those fighting cancer have special dietary needs. They need a higher protein intake, plenty of nutrient-dense foods and adequate liquids. The emotional impact of surgery or other cancer treatments also play a major role in appetite. With over one-half of all cancer patients undergoing some form of surgery, the side effects of chewing, swallowing and taste difficulties can add to a person’s load.

When side effects become a major problem, a liquid or soft-foods diet that can settle the stomach might be the best approach. While a liquid diet isn’t nutritionally adequate, it can be helpful for short periods of time when side effects need some additional support. The National Cancer Institute has made suggestions for those who need these temporary measures:

•                   pulp-free citrus juices or lemonade
•                   strained vegetable broth or juices
•                   tea or sports drinks
•                   fruit ices
•                   honey or jelly
•                   milkshakes
•                   fresh or frozen yogurt
•                   soft puddings or baked custards
•                   potatoes pureed into soup
•                   very thin fruit purees

Full liquids are highly suggested and are easy to pour or can be sucked through a straw. When made from whole foods such as fruit, yogurt or potatoes, they can be more nutritious than tea or strained juices. Keeping calorie intake up while experiencing side effects is extremely important so the body receives everything it needs to heal and survive.