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Eating more protein and fewer whole grains is important for mesothelioma patients. Protein helps make the immune system stronger and can repair tissue damaged by mesothelioma. Healthy diets full of protein, vitamins and minerals may also reduce the side effects of treatments.
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Parekh, T. (2023, November 16). Mesothelioma Diet & Nutrition. Asbestos.com. Retrieved December 5, 2023, from https://www.asbestos.com/treatment/nutrition/
Parekh, Tejal. "Mesothelioma Diet & Nutrition." Asbestos.com, 16 Nov 2023, https://www.asbestos.com/treatment/nutrition/.
Parekh, Tejal. "Mesothelioma Diet & Nutrition." Asbestos.com. Last modified November 16, 2023. https://www.asbestos.com/treatment/nutrition/.
Diet and nutrition for mesothelioma impact weight, immunity and general health. Many mesothelioma patients should consume more protein and limit whole grains. Proteins may boost the immune system and restore tissue damaged by mesothelioma.
Nutrition supports the body’s immune system and maintains energy levels. Patients should consume a balanced diet rich in protein, vitamins and minerals. A healthy diet can also reduce the side effects of cancer treatment.
Common diet concerns for people with mesothelioma include eating too little protein and too few calories. Both are essential to aid recovery, support immunity and fight fatigue.
Before dietary changes are made, all patients should consult with their mesothelioma doctor.
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Some foods contain nutrients that may support recovery after mesothelioma treatment. Also, some foods can negatively interact with chemotherapy and other mesothelioma drugs. Speak to your doctor about possible interactions.
While antioxidants are generally considered part of a healthy diet, they neutralize free radicals. Many chemotherapy drugs use free radicals to attack cancer cells. Chemotherapy patients may be advised to avoid foods and supplements high in antioxidants.
Speak with your doctor about adding the following foods to your diet.
Nutritional and herbal therapies usually are less well-researched than mainstream medications. This makes it even harder to predict what problems they may cause when combined with chemotherapy. Even traditional supplements doctors may recommend can have harmful interactions with mesothelioma therapy. For example, vitamin B6 supplements can interact negatively with cisplatin.
Supplements may provide relief from certain symptoms or side effects. Some mesothelioma patients may experience a decrease in appetite. You may have difficulty digesting food due to cancer or treatment. Your provider may recommend protein powder, nutritional shakes or meal replacement bars.
Dietary supplements can interact with cancer drugs. These interactions may make them less effective or cause harmful side effects. High levels of vitamin C or E can interfere with radiotherapy. St. John’s wort, ginseng and garlic supplements may also interfere with chemo drugs.
Other supplements can have potential benefits for cancer patients. Omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil may help reduce inflammation and improve heart health. This property can benefit patients with a higher risk for heart problems. Ginger supplements may also help relieve nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy.
Discuss any supplements you are considering with your provider before taking them. They can provide guidance on which supplements are safe to take. They’ll also tell you which ones to avoid during mesothelioma treatment.
Meal planning can alleviate the stress associated with food shopping. Meal prepping will also make crafting and following your mesothelioma diet easier.
As a caregiver, stock up on the patient’s favorite foods when food shopping. Buy items essential for meeting their nutritional needs. This can reduce the need to shop often.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture retired the Food Guide Pyramid years ago and replaced it with My Plate. However, My Plate isn’t designed to give people with cancer information about their specific nutrition needs before, during and after treatment.
The Harvard School of Public Health created the Healthy Eating Plate — a better starting place for designing a healthy diet for people with mesothelioma. The effects of cancer and treatment can make it challenging to eat.
You’ll need to adjust the Healthy Eating Plate guidelines during cancer therapy to find the best mesothelioma diet for you.
Replace green vegetables, salads and other lower-calorie foods with starchy vegetables such as potatoes and sweet potatoes. For most mesothelioma patients, it’s helpful to increase the protein portion of the plate and decrease whole grains a bit. Sometimes, you may need to add a high-protein, high-calorie liquid nutrition supplement.
Rarely, mesothelioma may also cause hypoglycemia, a form of low blood sugar that can be controlled through medication and diet. In 2021, a case study was reported on a 77-year-old man who developed nonislet cell tumor hypoglycemia associated with malignant mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is responsible for 8% of NICTH cases.
Eating enough and getting proper nutrition can be challenging if you have mesothelioma. Here are some tips to help you get more from your meals:
Patients with mesothelioma may have difficulty eating and require additional nutrients to maintain their weight and strength. Here are some tips for adding protein:
Mesothelioma patients often struggle with maintaining a healthy weight due to the side effects of treatments. Adding extra calories to meals can be challenging, but patients must get the necessary nutrients to help their bodies fight cancer. Here are some tips to increase the calories in your meals:
Prepare meals in advance and freeze them in meal-sized portions that are easy to heat. Talk with a dietitian if you want assistance planning your meals or preparing a grocery list.
Mesothelioma treatment can affect your ability to eat as you usually do. You can take proactive measures to meet nutritional needs for each type of treatment.
Certain surgeries can complicate eating. Some peritoneal mesothelioma patients may receive nutrition intravenously shortly after abdominal surgery.
If you are underweight, you may need to gain weight before surgery. A healthy weight before mesothelioma surgery can improve wound healing, reduce infection risk and aid recovery.
Proper nutrition after your surgery will also replace blood loss and increase your energy level. Post-operative care and nutrition are essential considerations for patients returning to normal health.
Chemotherapy affects chewing and digestion because the treatment kills cells in the mouth, hair follicles and digestive tract. Cool or lukewarm soft foods may reduce chewing if mouth sores develop from the treatment.
Some patients receiving cisplatin experience extreme cold sensitivity. If this happens, avoid handling or eating icy or frozen foods.
Chemotherapy also may cause nausea, decrease appetite or change how food tastes. Alterations to your diet and eating habits can help you cope with these side effects. For example, eating with plastic or wooden utensils can help if the food tastes metallic.
Receiving radiation therapy around the chest can impact swallowing. It is rare for peritoneal mesothelioma patients to receive radiation around the abdomen, but this can cause digestive issues such as nausea, vomiting, cramps, bloating and diarrhea.
Immunotherapy unleashes the immune system to recognize and destroy cancer. Because the treatment removes the usual restrictions on immune cells, they can attack normal tissue, too.
Side effects of immunotherapy may include diarrhea, vomiting, trouble breathing, cough, rashes and vision changes. They require immediate attention from your oncologist. Doctors may use steroids and other medications to reduce immune attacks on healthy tissue.
Certain pain medications can decrease appetite, cause nausea and contribute to constipation. Increasing dietary fiber and water can help lessen constipation.
Always drink plenty of water when increasing fiber because, without adequate fluids, constipation may worsen.
Eating enough during treatment is always the goal but often times easier said than done. I find making small changes can make a big impact on your nutrition plan.Tejal ParekhRegistered & Licensed Dietitian
For people undergoing mesothelioma treatment, food safety is crucial. Cancer therapies like radiation and chemotherapy often weaken the immune system. A weakened immune system may not correctly fight bacteria, parasites or other potentially dangerous organisms in food.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services outlines four critical steps to ensure food safety: clean, separate, cook and chill. Avoid raw or undercooked meat, poultry, seafood and eggs. Unpasteurized or raw milk and cheeses should also be avoided.
Foodborne illnesses or “food poisoning” can cause serious adverse effects. Food poisoning side effects can include:
Paying attention to reports of food recalls and food-related disease outbreaks can also help prevent health complications. Avoid any contact with or consumption of suspected foods.
For example, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service issued a public health alert in December 2022 for ground beef that tested positive for E. coli. That same month, the Kraft Heinz Company recalled approximately 2,400 pounds of ready-to-eat ham and cheese loaf because of possible cross-contamination with under-processed products.
Mesothelioma doctors recommend that cancer patients eat foods rich in nutrients such as eggs, fruit and salmon. Also, patients should have a diet high in protein with starchy vegetables and plenty of water to counter the effects of mesothelioma treatment.
A registered dietitian can assess your nutritional needs and help develop a personalized nutrition plan. They’ll base a program on your needs, preferences and health status, including mesothelioma. A registered dietitian can also help you navigate any dietary restrictions or challenges that may arise during your treatment.
Yes, some foods may interact with chemotherapy drugs, which can impact their effectiveness or cause side effects. Supplements may also interfere with cancer treatments. A registered dietitian can guide you on potential interactions. Discuss any supplements or dietary changes with your health care team.
While no mesothelioma cure exists, a healthy diet can offset the adverse effects of cancer therapy and improve the treatment outcome. Eating the right foods can make treatment recovery more manageable and improve prognosis.
A healthy diet and exercise are essential for lowering mesothelioma risks and other cancers. A healthy eating pattern will control your weight through various fruits, vegetables, fiber sources and low-calorie foods. Limiting your intake of red meats, sugar-sweetened beverages and highly processed foods will also lower your risk of cancer.
Unexplained weight loss is one of the signs of advanced mesothelioma. Weight loss can also be due to a lack of appetite or persistent nausea, which are symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma.
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