Cancer Side-Effects and Managing them with Food

Cancer Side-Effects and Managing them with Food

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People who are undergoing cancer treatment might end up facing a few side-effects as part and parcel of the drugs induced to kill cancer cells. These drugs, unfortunately, will not only kill harmful cells but also end up affecting healthy cells as well, hence the severe side effects! Relieving these symptoms is an important part of cancer care in terms of food, body and mind.

This article discusses a few of these side-effects and their management with food or nutrition.

1. Mucositis- is the painful inflammation and ulceration of the mucous membranes lining the digestive tract, usually as an adverse effect of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. This can reduce appetite further and if left untreated can cause pain, restrict oral intake of food, and increase the use of antibiotics, length of hospitalization and malnutrition.

 

Few tips to manage Mucositis:

• Ensure adequate hydration
• Oil pulling-

Start your day with oil pulling using extra virgin coconut oil as described:

Here are the simple steps to oil pulling:

• Measure one tablespoon of coconut oil.
• Swish it around in your mouth for 10mins, being careful not to swallow any. (Start with 5 minutes).
• Spit the oil and rinse your mouth well using water before eating or drinking anything. Oil pulling can help kill harmful bacteria in your mouth, reducing the Mucositis, inflammation and help treat the dry mouth.

• Encourage good oral hygiene practices to promote comfort, enhance taste and stimulate appetite. A basic regime of oral care, including gentle teeth brushing, flossing and rinsing is essential to minimize the risk of developing oral complications.
• Encourage the use of bicarbonate rinses (½ tsp. baking soda dissolved in 2 cups of water), before and after meals.
• Discourage intake of known irritants such as:

Tart or acidic foods or fluids

Spicy, salty or very sweet foods or fluids

Dry or rough foods

Tobacco, alcohol, alcohol-based mouthwashes, alcohol-based liquid

• Alter the consistency and temperature of foods to suit individual tolerances (for example cool or lukewarm temperature, soft solids, mashed solids, pureed solids, baby foods, thick or thin liquids).
• Recommend dunking or moistening dry foods in liquid.
• Recommend small, frequent energy and protein dense meals or snacks.
• Cryotherapy, which involves sucking on ice chips during chemotherapy administration, has shown some effect in preventing Mucositis caused by 5-FU (fluorouracil) chemo treatments.

1. Weakness or fatigue-is another common side-effect. You may have muscle aches and pains, get worn out quickly, have difficulty concentrating or find it difficult to do daily activities. People with cancer might describe it as feeling very weak, listless, drained, or “washed out” that may decrease for a while but then comes back with every cycle of the treatment.

Few nutrition tips:

 

• Eat protein rich foods. Sources of protein include fish, chicken, dairy products, nuts, seeds, beans and lentils. Have a protein-rich food at all meals and snacks to keep your energy levels up and to preserve muscle.
• Have some healthy fat such as avocado, olive oil, nuts or seeds with each meal and snack. This will give you a stable supply of energy.
• Consume chicken, fish, eggs or beans at each meal.
• Use Greek yogurt or blended cottage cheese as a dip for vegetables.
• Add nuts or seeds to salads, smoothies, and yogurt.
• Make hard boiled eggs and add them to salads or have as part of snacks.
• Add beans to soups, salads.
• In smoothies, add nut butter, nuts or seeds, Greek yogurt.
• Stay hydrated.
• Eat colorful fruits and veggies.
• Eat a balanced diet.

1. Nausea-

It’s one of the most common side effects of chemotherapy although not everyone one experiences it. Over a long period of time this can hinder a person’s food intake thereby causing malnutrition. The same can be managed in a better way by following the tips mentioned below.

 

• Have ginger concoction, ginger p Ginger is known to help relieve nausea.
• Eat small meals often throughout the day.
• Eat more of the foods that appeal to you.
• Eat in a place that is comfortable. Stay away from stuffy places that are too warm or have cooking odors.
• Drink a half hour before or after meals but not with your meals.
• Drink slowly or sip liquids throughout the day. Use a straw if necessary.
• Eat your food at room temperature or cooler, rather than hot.
• Don’t force yourself to eat foods you normally like to eat because it may cause you to dislike them later when you feel better.
• Rest after you eat, but don’t lie down. Stay upright for at least 1 hour after eating.
• Wear loose-fitting clothes.

1. Anemia-

Anemia can be the side-effect of cancer itself such as leukemia or the treatment.  Anemia is when your body’s level of red blood cells drop below normal.

When you do not have enough red blood cells, all parts of the body don’t get enough oxygen. This could be one reason why you might face fatigue or weakness as the consequence.

Management with nutrition:

 

• Eat iron rich foods like-

Cereals: like quinoa, millets, brown rice, oats, etc.

Pulses and legumes: lentils, peas, chickpeas, kidney beans and lima beans chickpeas, soybean and others.

Green leafy vegetables: like spinach, fenugreek leaves, kale, drumstick leaves, shepu (baby dill leaves), broccoli, micro greens and others.

Lean meat: skinless chicken, fish, eggs.

Nuts and seeds: almonds, walnuts, pistachio, cashew nuts, pine nuts, pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, poppy seeds, brazil nuts, macadamia nuts, pecans etc.

Dry fruits: Raisins, apricot, dried figs, prune, and dates (in limit)

Fruits: pomegranate, strawberries, watermelon, fresh figs etc.

Note:

*Include vitamin c rich foods like kiwi, lemon, sweet lime, tomatoes, orange etc. to increase the absorption of iron.

*Do not consume coffee or tea as a part of a meal, as tannin from tea and caffeine from coffee respectively hinders iron absorption.

• Include folate rich foods: like greens, broccoli, asparagus, chickpeas, kidney beans etc.

1. Poor gut health- cancer treatment can kill the beneficial belly bacteria and this can destroy the integrity of our gastrointestinal tract, causing symptoms like gas/ acidity/ indigestion issues/ diarrhea/ constipation etc.

Besides, there is evidence suggesting that if your gut health is not on par, then it can directly have an impact on your mental health. Therefore taking care of your gut should be also one of the utmost priorities while undergoing treatment.

Improve your gut health with these tips-

• Take probiotics- live beneficial bacteria. Example, fermented foods like curd/ yoghurt / sauerkraut/ kombucha/ kimchi etc.
• Consume prebiotics- food for bacteria. Eat colorful fruits and veggies every day.
• Reduce stress levels. (mind and gut is interlinked).
• Be physically active.
• Have a good sleep.
• Stay hydrated.
• Maintain good oral hygiene.
• Avoid refined and processed food items.

1. Weight loss-

Weight Loss  is a side-effect that almost all cancer patients experience. It’s associated with side-effects of chemotherapy that can sometimes interfere with your ability to eat or drink and affect your ability to maintain healthy weight. Excessive loss of muscle can also decrease your immunity.

Management with nutrition:

• Eat protein rich foods. Sources of protein include fish, chicken, dairy products, nuts, seeds, beans and lentils. Have protein-rich foods at all meals and snacks to keep your energy levels up and to preserve muscle mass.
• Have some healthy fats such as avocado, olive oil, nuts or seeds with each meal and snack. This will give you a stable supply of energy.
• Have chicken, fish, eggs or beans at each meal.
• Use Greek yogurt or blended cottage cheese as a dip for vegetables.
• Add nuts or seeds to salads, cereal, yogurt.
• Make hard boiled eggs and add them to salads or can be consumed as a part of a snack.
• Add beans to soups, salads or make a bean dip.
• In smoothies, add nut butter, nuts or seeds, Greek yogurt.
• Stay hydrated.
• Eat colorful fruits and veggies.
• Eat a balanced diet.

1. Depression/ anxiety/ stress/ demotivation-

Apart from physical side-effects, a person suffering from cancer can also have a negative impact on his/ her mental health and can end up facing various issues. Read below and learn how to manage these side-effects effectively.

Anxiety: amino acids from protein such as eggs, zinc from lean meat, mineral magnesium from greens, B vitamins from whole grains, omega-3 fatty acids from fish, and antioxidants from colorful fruits and veggies. Furthermore, research suggests that consumption of fermented foods that contain probiotics may serve as a low-risk intervention for reducing social anxiety. Example- curd/yogurt, sauerkraut, kefir, etc.

Depression: Low dietary intake of beneficial omega-3 fatty acids is linked to depressed mood, hostility and impulsive behaviour. Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids help in fighting depression. Examples: oily fish like Salmon and Mackerel, flax seeds, almonds, walnuts, chia seed, pumpkin seeds, etc.

Stress: Some specific nutrients play a very important role in reducing the levels of cortisol and adrenaline in the body and also the stress chemicals that activate fight and flight response. They are complex carbohydrates, proteins (tryptophan, phenylalanine and tyrosine, theanine) Vitamin C, Vitamin B, Magnesium and Selenium. These nutrients play a very specific and important role in stress management. Food examples are- dark chocolate, fatty fish, eggs, pumpkin seeds, turmeric, yoghurt, banana, nuts, citrus fruits, whole grains, greens etc.

Take away- taking care of these symptoms effectively will help in managing the efficacy of the treatment better. Remember to inculcate food, body and mind therapies in order to fight against the treatment odds.

CARER also has specially created a Cancer Recipe Book that provides over 80+ recipes that manage various side-effects of cancer treatment. (link to recipe book)

Tags: Cancer, Cancer treatment and side effects, nausea, weight loss, mucositis, oil pulling, cryotherapy, constipation, diarrhea, depression, anxiety, stress, gut health, gut and mental health, fatigue/ weakness, anemia, iron rich foods, folate rich foods, vitamin c rich foods, protein rich foods, probiotics, prebiotics, nutrition,recipe book