This note for cancer patients couldn't be more important: eat well

Stay Strong!

I always get confused whether it’s “feed a fever, starve a cold” or the other way around. But one thing I know for sure. Whether you feed a fever or a cold, you definitely want to feed yourself when you’re fighting cancer…and a LOT.

I know it’s MUCH easier said than done. Loss of appetite is one of the most common symptoms of cancer. But when you’re in the fight of your life, you’re going to need quality fuel–even if you don’t particularly feel like fueling up.

When my dad was fighting leukemia, I remember his doctor saying, “You just need calories. I don’t care what you eat but you have to force yourself to eat.”

And he was at least half right.

An Associated Press report underlines just how important it is for doctors to monitor their cancer patients’ dietary habits and closely watch for sudden changes in appetite.

For many patients, their cancers AND their treatments may prompt a number of conditions that affect appetite, including nausea, diarrhea, constipation, difficulty swallowing, sores in the mouth, etc.

But not getting enough fuel in your body leads to cachexia –-a condition characterized by reduced vitality, weight loss, and decomposition of muscle. In fact, cachexia is the actual cause of death in about three out of four cancer patients.

Colleen Doyle, nutrition chief at the American Cancer Society, told the AP: “Patients who are well-nourished as they’re going through treatment have shorter hospital stays, are better able to tolerate treatment.”

They also have higher quality of life, which helps to bring an immediate sense of purpose to their fight.

Primed with protein

The AP report notes that cancer patients generally need twice as much protein and about 10 percent more calories compared to the average healthy person.

But in addition to needing protein and calories, there’s another problem: Tumors prompt production of inflammatory compounds that can also contribute to cachexia.

This is where taking in high levels of omega-3 fatty acids can be very beneficial.

In 2006, a University of Iowa study tested nutritional therapy on 200 patients with cachexia. Subjects were given a daily high-calorie/high-protein supplement, enriched with vitamins C and E, and about 2 grams of omega-3 fatty acids.

The results showed a significantly higher rate of weight gain, increased lean body mass, and improved quality of life compared to subjects who received a similar supplement, but without the added vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids.

In another study from the same University of Iowa team, cancer patients with moderate to severe malnutrition were given high doses of omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil supplements.

More than half the subjects stabilized their weight, and six subjects either achieved their normal body weight or gained more than 5 percent of their pre-study weight. Among these patients, quality of life scores improved as well.

But this isn’t the first time we’ve written about cachexia. This disorder is featured in Dr. Spreen’s book “Tomorrow’s Cancer Cures TODAY.”

In addition to cancer issues like cachexia, Dr. Spreen discusses 25 highly effective cancer treatments that most conventional doctors have never heard of. [Katie: Melissa has the link, which should go with both highlighted chunks.]

To Your Good Health,

Jenny Thompson

Sources:
A Taste of Help to Keep Cancer Patients’ Pounds Up” Lauran Neergaard, Associated Press, 5/18/09, ap.org
“Phase II Study of High-Dose Fish Oil Capsules for Patients with Cancer-Related Cachexia” Cancer, Vol. 101, No. 2, 7/15/04, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
“Fish Oil Helps Some Cancer Patients with Wasting” Anne Harding, Reuters Health, 8/6/04, reutershealth.com