No one doubts that poor nutrition can play a decisive role in the onset of cancer. Therefore, there must be a special diet that contributes to the recovery of patients affected by a cancerous tumor. World-renowned physician Professor Richard Doll claims that one-third of cancerous tumors are triggered by malnutrition.
Oncological damage and its therapy are a completely different situation, and the cancer patient needs a special diet. Food products should supply the body of a sick person with the vitamins, macronutrients, amino acids and proteins he needs. Diet for oncology helps maintain the immune system.
Is it possible to use non-traditional methods of diet in the presence of a cancerous tumor?
Nutritional contraindications for cancer are very extensive. Therefore, special nutrition systems offered by doctors of alternative medicine can play a negative role.
The oncology diet based on starvation is especially scary, or the one in which the consumption of ordinary products is replaced by herbal drinks or urine therapy.
It is impossible to stop the process of tumor growth by starvation. Malnutrition will lead to a sharp exacerbation of health. Nutrition in oncology should be complete and high-quality.
Systems based on selective consumption of products should also be avoided. Such advice will not bring any good.
Diets with limited protein intake are harmful, as this is fraught with the development of amino acid deficiency. This approach does not help fight the tumor, but, on the contrary, accelerate its proliferation.
The importance of vitamin therapy
Diet after removal of oncology involves the use of vitamins. They play a huge role in the treatment of cancer patients. In such patients, there is often a reduced assimilation of the elements necessary for life.
Avitaminosis cannot be attributed to a specific symptom of cancer. Even with complete exhaustion of the body in patients with cancer, there will not be such manifestations as pellagra or scurvy.
The idea of treating cancer with vitamin therapy, which has become very popular, has not been scientifically confirmed.
It should be noted that with radiation therapy it is recommended to reduce the consumption of fruits and vegetables. They do benefit, but high doses of the vitamins they contain can reduce the effectiveness of anticancer treatments.
With great care, vitamin E should be taken, since it belongs to the group of antioxidants.
We can say that in the treatment of cancer patients, nutrition should be supplemented only with those vitamins that the body lacks.
The need for minerals
The issue of the use of minerals is also very important in oncology. Fruits, vegetables, meat products and fish are rich in these elements, but cancer treatment includes many components, and therefore requires control of the mineral content in the body.
With puffiness, doctors recommend reducing the intake of sodium contained in sodium chloride, and replace it with potassium. If the patient thinks the food is fresh, it is recommended to introduce pickled foods into the diet. However, this approach is not used for all forms of cancer.
If after chemotherapy the patient has vomiting and diarrhea, then sodium intake should be increased.
This once again proves that when choosing a diet, a variety of approaches are used. In each case, a specific diet is required.
Proper fluid intake for cancer
In the vast majority of cases, patients are not recommended to reduce the usual level of fluid intake. If the patient has swelling or the presence of parallel diseases of the genitourinary system, then fluid intake should even be increased due to the introduction of fermented milk products. During chemotherapy, fluid intake doubles.
Breast Cancer Diet
A properly selected diet for breast cancer helps prevent secondary complications such as cancer re-development, diabetes mellitus, obesity and hypertension.
The absence of excess weight to a greater extent suspends the recurrence of the disease and improves the quality of life of a woman. Since patients undergoing radiation treatment or chemotherapy tend to increase weight, it is recommended to refrain from increasing the amount of food until the end of therapy.
With excess weight, a gradual decrease is recommended. It is proved that with a decrease in body weight by 5-20% for 2 years, the risk of developing secondary diseases decreases, the indicators of insulin, cholesterol, as well as parameters related to the development of cancer are normal.
General recommendations
The diet for breast cancer implies the following rules:
- Calorie content corresponds to body weight. The more weight, the fewer calories consumed.
- Preference is given to fruits and vegetables.
- Wholemeal foods are consumed.
- Fat intake is reduced.
- Soy intake is limited.
- In order to maintain the bones in good condition, the inclusion of 2-2.1 g of calcium per day is recommended. You also need to monitor your vitamin D content and bone density.
- Do not drink alcoholic beverages.
- The use of convenience foods is reduced.
- Foods such as sugar, canned and red meat are limited .
Consumption of Omega-3 and Omega-6
Diet for oncology involves the use of Omega-3 and Omega-6. Among the products that are rich in these acids, fatty fish (mackerel, salmon, halibut, etc.) should be noted. In addition, Omega-3 is found in walnuts, flaxseeds and cereals.
Omega-6 is also needed for the full functioning of the body. The substance is found in sunflower and corn oil.
However, it should be noted that omega-3 intake should be higher, and omega-6 should be reduced.
The benefits of Omega-3 exposure are not scientifically proven. On the other hand, many doctors note that the substance helps to lower triglycerides in the blood and acts as a prevention of the development of heart diseases. Therefore, it is recommended that you consume oily fish at least once a week. This recommendation is not applicable to patients who use drugs that reduce clotting.
Flax Seed Consumption
Diet (breast cancer requires a certain amount of nutrition) includes the consumption of flax seeds. Scientists have not established to what extent flaxseeds contribute to a reduction in the development of a cancerous tumor. According to the American Research Association, their consumption does not pose any danger to women who do not have cancer. The same can be said about women who use Tamoxifen or other hormonal drugs. Moreover, the seeds themselves are preferable to oil based on them. The amount of seeds consumed should not exceed 30 g per day.
Increased consumption can provoke diarrhea and impair the absorption of beneficial elements and drugs by the intestines. In addition, they inhibit the effects of drugs such as Coumadin or Aspirin.
Diet after gastrectomy
After surgical removal of a significant part of the stomach, a certain diet is required to restore gastrointestinal function. During this period, it is difficult for patients to consume food in the usual way. Therefore, they resort to injections containing protein and amino acids.
Based on blood tests, the body's need for a number of nutrients is determined.
What is the diet after resection of the stomach? The recommendations are diverse. After resection of the stomach, fasting for two days is recommended. On the third day, the patient can consume rosehip juice, weakly brewed tea, unsweetened fruit compote without fruits and berries 5-6 times a day in a volume of 20-30 ml. In case of congestion in the stomach, the use of drinks is prohibited.
It is acceptable to use baby protein nutrition. It is administered with a probe in a dose of 30-40 mg 2-3 days after surgery.
The diet is based on the phased load on the stomach and intestines, as well as the inclusion of an increased amount of protein.
On the fourth day, the patient is allowed to use soups, mashed fish or cottage cheese, as well as soft-boiled eggs.
On the fifth day, mashed cereals, steamed omelettes and a small amount of vegetable puree are included. With each subsequent day, the portion is increased by 50 ml. On the seventh day, it is 250 ml, and on the tenth - 400 ml.
Thus, in the early period, the patient receives a sufficient amount of protein in an easily digestible form.
Diet 2 weeks after surgery
Diet after resection of the stomach (oncology) involves the consumption of certain foods two weeks after surgery. This diet is adhered to for 4 months.
If the patient has complications such as gastritis, peptic ulcer or anastomositis, then he should adhere to this diet longer.
The main goal in the preparation of the diet is to stop the inflammatory process and prevent dumping syndrome.
Patients are recommended to consume meat and fish with a high level of protein, as well as the optimal amount of complex carbohydrates found in cereal products, vegetables, cereals and unsweetened fruits.
At the same time, the intake of easily digestible carbohydrates (sugar, flour products, fruit drinks, juices, fried foods) should be limited.
It is also unacceptable to use fatty and hot soups, cereals with sugar based on milk, tea. Such products stimulate the pancreas and contribute to the occurrence of dumping syndrome.
All food should be consumed in pureed form and be steamed. The meat is finely chopped or chopped through a meat grinder.
Vegetable salads, fresh fruits, gray bread are excluded from the diet . Instead of sugar, saccharin can be used.
During this period, you can not eat pork, lamb or beef fat.
Approximate diet
- Wheat crackers or yesterday’s bread, low sugar cookies. A month later, the use of white bread is allowed, but not earlier.
- Mashed soup based on vegetables or decoctions of cereals without cabbage and millet.
- Meat or fish (low-fat chicken or turkey, beef veal, rabbit meat with removed tendons). Of the fish, zander, common carp, cod, bream, carp, hake should be noted. Meat and fish are consumed in minced form. Dishes are cooked without steaming fat or boiled.
- Scrambled eggs. Steamed omelet.
- Dairy. Milk can be added to tea. Kefir can be eaten 2 months after surgery. The patient is allowed to consume non-acidic mashed freshly prepared cottage cheese.
- Vegetables and greens. Boil and rub. It is allowed to use only boiled cauliflower with the addition of oil. Pumpkin and zucchini are also useful. It is permissible to use mashed potatoes from beets or carrots.
- Berries and fruits are consumed in limited quantities. They must be fresh and natural.
After resection of the stomach, such a diet is followed for 2-5 years, even in the absence of signs of the disease.
The diet should be diverse and compiled on the basis of the tolerance of certain products. In any case, you should adhere to the recommendations of your doctor.
Diet for patients with bowel cancer
With intestinal oncology, it is imperative to adhere to a certain diet.
The diet for intestinal oncology includes the following products:
- sea fish;
- fresh products of plant origin, including fiber and substances that contribute to the normalization of the digestive tract;
- liver;
- oil from sunflower seeds or olives;
- sea kale;
- sprouted wheat;
- cereal.
This diet should be followed not only by people who have been diagnosed with colon cancer. Consume fried foods and convenience foods - cause conscious damage to your body.
Diet in the presence of intestinal oncology is aimed at reducing the variety of foods consumed.
Food rules
Eating is carried out in accordance with the following rules:
- Serving meals. The patient should eat a little 6 times a day.
- Food should be soft or liquid, which makes it more easily digestible.
- Food should not be consumed cold or hot. The optimum temperature is considered close to the temperature of the human body, so as not to cause irritation of the gastric mucosa.
- During the day, the use of 15% protein, 30% fat and 55% carbohydrates is recommended.
Featured Products
The following power system is recommended:
- Meat, poultry, fish, pork and beef, cooked in a double boiler in crushed form.
- The use of milk, alcohol, seasonings and spices is excluded.
- You should consume no more than 1.5 liters of water per day. Any liquid is considered, including soups.
Recovery for intestinal cancer
Food should only be fresh. Dishes should include easily digestible foods that contain enough minerals and vitamins.
During the rehabilitation period, the use of large quantities of meat is not recommended. Sour-milk products should be added. Doctors recommend the use of yogurt, cottage cheese, which contribute to the restoration of intestinal microflora.
The diet should include fresh vegetables and fruits, cereals and cereal bread. In a small amount, you can consume boiled fish.
Overeating and skipping meals is strictly unacceptable.
Diet for colorectal cancer
Already in the preoperative period, the further nutritional scheme should be reviewed, since it is extremely important for the rapid recovery of the body.
The high level of the necessary elements is contained in the following products:
- seafood (sea fish and cabbage);
- beef liver;
- unprocessed rice;
- green herbs;
- broccoli cabbage;
- hawthorn;
- dried apricots and raisins;
- legumes (beans, soy).
It is very important to organize nutrition in such a way as to ensure the rapid assimilation of food. It is recommended to avoid the use of products that contribute to increased gas, constipation or indigestion.
What foods should not be used for colorectal cancer?
The following products are limited to:
- fatty meats;
- fried, salted and smoked products;
- pastries, muffins and sweets;
- drinks containing gas;
- strong tea, coffee and chocolate.
Post-operative nutritional rules
What is the diet after rectal surgery ? Oncology is a diagnosis that requires compliance with dietary restrictions. Food should be thermally processed, mashed, close to body temperature. All this will help reduce fermentation.
At the same time, the diet should be diverse, give the patient energy to fight the disease.
The list of allowed products should include:
- pureed soups;
- cottage cheese without fat;
- cereals of medium viscosity;
- jelly from fruits, berries, jelly and mashed potatoes;
- mashed fish dishes.
Meal is divided into 4-6 receptions. Food is consumed in small portions. Gradually, the diet expands. The rehabilitation period after resection of a rectal tumor lasts 2 years.
Conclusion
Any cancer requires a strict diet. It should be noted that the principle of compiling a diet for various oncological lesions of the body is not the same.
What should be the diet for oncology? The advice of an oncologist and nutritionist will be essential. Specialists will help in drawing up the right diet.
Diet for oncology is an important part of patient therapy. Without proper nutrition, restoration of the body is impossible.