Chemotherapy Specialist Herndon VA

Healthy Solutions:The Chemo Conundrum: How to Stay Healthy when Robbed of Essential Nutrients

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By Kathy Summers

Think chemotherapy, and hair loss often comes to mind. But loss of appetite, a far more serious problem, often accompanies treatment as well. Both chemo and radiation therapy cause nausea, vomiting, altered sense of taste and smell (food sometimes tastes like metal), sore mouth and throat, diarrhea, and constipation, any one of which can suppress appetite. As a consequence, cancer patients can become underweight and malnourished, drained of the energy and strength they need to heal.

“Most people don’t realize that 40 percent or more of cancer patients actually die from malnutrition,” says Patrick Quillin, PhD, RD, CNS, a clinical nutritionist in Encinitas, California. Good nutrition and supplements can help combat this, but unfortunately, many oncologists cling to an old mindset that rejects supplements out of concern that they’ll interfere with treatment, says Charles B. Simone, MD, medical oncologist, immunologist, and radiation oncologist at the Simone Protective Cancer Center, in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. However, Simone’s recent survey of 280 peer-reviewed studies should lay many of these fears to rest. Most of the studies found that dietary supplements did not interact negatively with treatments. Along with supplying needed nutrients, many of them actually improved the effectiveness of chemotherapy and radiation, reduced appetite-suppressing side effects, and even increased survival chances. So include a cancer nutrition expert as part of your healthcare team, says Mitchell L. Gaynor, MD, clinical assistant professor of medicine at Weill Medical College of Cornell University and president of Gaynor Integrative Oncology in New York City. Based on your type of cancer and dietary habits and on blood tests that determine your levels of vitamins, heavy metal toxicity, and immune function, nutrition experts can customize a strategy to keep you well nourished. While individual needs vary, here are six of the experts’ top picks for nutritional support.

Fish Oil. If nausea or vomiting makes eating difficult, you may become deficient in omega-3 essential fatty acids, which are critical for myriad bodily functions. One type of omega-3, called EPA, may help immune cells recognize and destroy cancer cells and thus slow their spread, says Quillin. Dosage: At least one 1,000 mg capsule of fish oil daily, containing about 400 mg of omega-3 from EPA, DHA, and ALA. Better yet, up to 1 tablespoon daily of chilled liquid cod liver oil (which contains more than 3,000 mg of omega-3 oils).

Curcumin. The popular curry spice turmeric gets its yellow color from curcumin. This potent antioxidant has been shown to induce cancer cell suicide without damaging healthy cells, helping you stay vigorous throughout your treatment. Plus, a dash of turmeric spices up the flavor—and palatability—of your food. Dosage: 100 to 800 mg curcumin in capsule form daily or liberal use of turmeric in foods.

Garlic. This popular herb may improve...

Author: Kathy Summers

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