Diet For People With Cancer
Cancer is a complex disease that depends on genetic and environmental components. Diet can influence the risk of developing this pathology, and supposes, on the other hand, a support to chemotherapy treatment.
When considering a diet focused on cancer patients, it is necessary to take into account a series of guidelines. It is important to restrict those foods that are involved in tumor promotion.
At the same time, it is necessary to emphasize the consumption of products that contain an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory character. This series of ingredients enhances the effects of chemotherapy and reduces its side effects.
Eliminate the intake of processed foods
The consumption of processed foods, rich in additives, simple sugars and trans fats, is related to an increased risk of developing cancer. This is indicated by an article published in the British Medical Journal .
This class of substances increases the number of mutations originated at the cellular level and represents an energetic substrate for the tumor itself, promoting its growth. For these reasons, it is essential to restrict processed products in patients who have already developed the disease.
Although in healthy individuals the cessation of intake is preventive, in cancer patients it can increase life expectancy. This is linked to the increase in the expectation of response to treatments.
The cancer diet should contain antioxidant foods
Antioxidants are substances that counteract the formation of free radicals. They fight oxidative stress and reduce the risk of DNA mutations that can trigger cancerous processes. Its habitual consumption is related to the protection against the development of this type of pathologies.
In patients who already have this disease, it is necessary to increase the intake of these products in order to stop tumor growth. Some phytonoutrients, such as lycopene present in tomatoes, could help slow tumor growth, as stated in an article published in the journal Nutrition and Cancer .
To increase the intake of antioxidants in the diet, it is essential to increase the consumption of fruits and vegetables. It is necessary to emphasize the intake of red vegetables, as well as cruciferous.
Exotic fruits, in turn, are characterized by a high content of vitamins and phytonutrients that can fulfill the objective of fighting against the products of cellular oxidation. Variety is key to the diet.
Dietary supplements for cancer
There are also some substances that when administered in the form of supplements help people with cancer. One of them is melatonin, a hormone responsible for regulating circadian sleep cycles and with a marked antioxidant power.
The effects of this supplement have been evidenced in the scientific literature. They can be found reflected in an article published in Oncotarget magazine .
However, these benefits are found in doses higher than those used today at the clinical level. Studies linking melatonin to cancer prevention or treatment use doses greater than 10 milligrams a day.
In addition, this hormone manages to reduce the side effects associated with drug treatment. In this way, the quality of sleep is improved, stress levels are reduced and the markers associated with metabolic health improve.
Diet needs to be optimized for cancer patients
Cancer is a multifactorial disease that is directly related to certain environmental components. For this reason, it is necessary to optimize the diet to prevent the development of the pathology and to help treat it.
A correct supply of nutrients is able to help stop tumor growth and enhance the effects of drug treatment. To perceive these benefits it is necessary to emphasize the consumption of fruits and vegetables. These foods contain vitamins and phytonutrients with high antioxidant capacity inside.
In addition, it is essential to restrict all those foods in the diet that cause inflammation and that have the ability to increase mutagenicity. Typical examples are processed foods. This class of substances are negative for health in the medium and long term, and are linked to the development of complex diseases.
