Mesothelioma and the importance of good nutrition

Mesothelioma and the importance of good nutrition

Everyone knows and recognizes that the key component to maintaining a healthy lifestyle is incorporating good nutrition into your diet, especially if you have mesothelioma cancer or any other health-damaging disease. Individuals with mesothelioma can benefit greatly from a nutritious diet, which will undoubtedly fluctuate as they progress through their treatment protocol and will require a wide variety of nutritious and healthy foods.

In general, maintaining a health-conscious diet that consists of all the necessary nutrients that the human body requires can be an overwhelming challenge. However, people suffering from mesothelioma and other cancers may find it even more difficult to stick to a healthy eating plan. A balanced diet is especially important for people with mesothelioma, even though they may struggle with nausea and loss of appetite, because foods help maintain energy, boost the immune system and ward off free radicals that can cause cancer. Additionally, proper nutrition is crucial to reducing the harmful side effects that can occur with some mesothelioma treatments.

Mesothelioma victims struggle with various nutritional needs as cancer treatments can cause side effects related to diet. For example, a patient receiving chemotherapy or radiation therapy may regularly have difficulty eating, as these types of treatments are recognized as causing intense nausea. Post-operative patients are also generally weak and therefore find it difficult to eat proper foods. Other side effects of cancer treatment that could sabotage an ideal eating plan include general pain, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, difficulty swallowing, anorexia, bulimia, anxiety, depression, and mouth pain.

It is important to maintain a nutritional diet before, during and after cancer treatments because malnutrition can cause weakness and fatigue and make a patient vulnerable to infections. Common nutritional issues faced by many cancer patients are not consuming enough calories and protein, which is crucial to promote healing, fight off infection and maintain energy levels. A balanced and healthy diet can lead to a better outcome for the patient.

Here are some dietary suggestions to combat mesothelioma and maintain health while adhering to cancer treatment protocol.

– Keep your body thoroughly hydrated to eliminate harmful toxins associated with certain cancer treatments

– Discuss with your nutritionist an optimal diet plan tailored specifically to your needs

– Consider a low-carbohydrate diet while incorporating large amounts of healthy protein-rich foods, which help restore tissue compromised by surgery or other various mesothelioma therapies and strengthen the immune system

– If you have difficulty swallowing or nausea, consume softer types of foods or liquids rich in vitamins. Create healthy fruit smoothies or consume ready-made liquid supplements if solid foods are intolerable for you

– Include healthy fats in your diet to maintain energy levels and stave off depression

– Avoid extreme weight loss by eating high-calorie foods like real cheese, milk, and butter when you have a loss of appetite

– Consult your healthcare provider to ensure you are getting enough of the essential nutrients your body needs