Diet and nutrition for mesothelioma patients is a critical part of their healthcare plan. When a patient has good nutrition, it can help them live with a better quality of life and maintain other aspects of their overall health, such as their muscle strength and immune system. Additionally, a proper diet can ease chemotherapy side effects and can help manage malnutrition.
How Does Proper Diet and Nutrition For Mesothelioma Help Mitigate Treatment Side Effects?
Diet and nutrition for mesothelioma patients can help mitigate side effects from their cancer treatment. Consuming the right foods can help patients improve their appetite, eat more comfortably, and maintain their metabolism. A good diet can also help ease discomfort caused by nausea and sore throat, common side effects of chemotherapy.
Other chemotherapy side effects include:
- Difficulty Chewing
- Difficulty Swallowing
- Changes to Taste
- Mouth Sores
A nutritionist can help your oncologist determine the right diet plan for you or your loved one. Since cancer treatment affects each patient differently, it’s important to find the nutrition plan that works best for you.
Foods That May Help
Diet and nutrition for mesothelioma patients mitigate treatment side effects. Typically, these types of food consist of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. However, depending on the patient and the extent of their treatment, a nutritionist may recommend certain high-calorie or fat-rich foods to help them maintain healthy body weight.
The specific foods that have been shown to help patients, and their benefits, are listed below:
- Vegetables: Leafy greens such as spinach and kale contain folate, which helps with DNA repair. Other vegetables, like sweet potatoes or carrots, contain carotenoids, which help to decrease inflammation.
- Berries and fresh fruits: These are high in vitamins and antioxidants.
- Healthy fats: Healthy fats from foods such as nuts, salmon, and plant/fish oils can improve inflammation and cell development.
- Whole Grains and Fiber: This food group can help patients maintain a healthy metabolism. Foods include bran, fruits, oats, and vegetables.
- Protein and calories: Mesothelioma patients may not get enough protein or calories due to a lack of appetite or nausea. Protein-rich foods such as tofu, eggs, or nuts, can help stave off malnutrition. High-calorie foods like peanut butter or avocados can help patients maintain a healthy weight.
Patients should work with their doctor to develop an appropriate plan of diet and nutrition for mesothelioma to account for allergies, personal preferences, and accessibility.
Foods to Avoid
Before and after treatment, patients may be advised to avoid certain types of food, such as red meats, alcohol, and trans or saturated fats. This is because these kinds of foods can impede the body’s ability to fight cancer and even increase the risk of cancer development. Diet and nutrition for mesothelioma patients are important for helping the body stay strong.
Foods that mesothelioma patients may want to avoid include:
- Alcohol: Alcohol can damage DNA and cause complications with certain medications.
- Unhealthy Fats: Trans fats have been linked to diabetes and can negatively impede a patient’s treatment options.
- Red Meat: Red and processed meats can increase inflammation, leading to cell division and DNA damage.
Additional Resources
Fortunately, there are a variety of nutrition and diet resources available for mesothelioma patients. The most important thing to remember is always to get counseling from a certified health professional. They can tailor your health plan to your specific case and needs.
Get Mesothelioma Help with Shrader Law
If you’ve developed mesothelioma as a result of working with asbestos, you may be owed compensation for the expenses related to your illness as well as the pain and suffering you’ve endured. Don’t hesitate to reach out to our office with your questions right away.
Contact the experienced team here at Shrader & Associates L.L.P. to learn more about how we can help with your case. Call us at (713) 787-3733 or fill out the online contact form to get in touch with an attorney today.