Nutrition of a patient receiving cancer treatment is very important. This is the period when the body needs the most support. There are three basic nutritional goals in individuals with cancer. These are: 1) maintaining a healthy weight; 2) choosing healthy foods that will provide the energy and nutrients needed for healing and repair; 3) to prevent the recurrence of cancer or the development of a different cancer.
Proper and adequate nutrition is part of your treatment and is extremely important. Foods can be grouped into five groups in terms of their nutritive value. If you choose one or a few foods from each group for each meal and adjust the amount of food you eat according to your needs as recommended to you, you will have an adequate and balanced diet.
Group 1 includes meat, chicken, fish, eggs and legumes such as dried beans, chickpeas and lentils. Foods in this group contain good quality protein. Low-fat meats should be preferred and boiled, grilled and oven-cooked methods should be used.
Group 2 includes milk, yoghurt, cheese, cottage cheese and similar foods. Foods in this group are rich in protein and calcium. Reduced fat or skimmed milk, yoghurt, low-fat cheeses should be preferred.
Group 3 includes cereals, bread, rice, bulgur, pasta and the like. They are the main energy source. Foods in this group contain vegetable protein and B group vitamins.
4. The group includes vegetables and fruits. These foods are rich in vitamin C. Especially green leafy vegetables contain vitamins A and C. The vitamins and minerals contained in vegetables and fruits help strengthen the body’s defense system. In addition, vegetables and fruits help the digestive system in terms of the fiber they contain.
Group 5 includes fats and sugars. Foods in this group provide energy. Prefer liquid oils. Prefer molasses from sugary foods.
In addition;
– During the treatment, individuals should aim to reach and maintain their healthy weight.
– At least 8 glasses of water should be consumed daily.
– Prefer whole grain products (wholegrain, rye breads, etc.).
– Limit the consumption of refined carbohydrates (sugar, jam, honey, etc.) and processed meat products (salami, sausage, sausage, etc.).
You may experience various side effects that may affect your nutrition during or after treatment. Below are nutritional recommendations to reduce the side effects and effects you may encounter.
In addition, it is useful to mention some foods that are underlined and wondered in various sources:
– Carrot juice, pomegranate juice, tomato, homemade yogurt, cheese, apricot, black grapes, broccoli, red and white cabbage, cauliflower, maitake mushroom, lettuce, purslane, turnip juice, hot pepper, flaxseed, black cumin, banana, pineapple Onions and especially garlic protect against cancer.
– If people with a family history of breast and colon cancer consume vegetables and fruits, vitamins and minerals that prevent cancer before the age of 20, they can be protected from this disease between 33 percent and 53 percent. We especially recommend them to take the maitake mushroom as a prophylactic.
– The rate of protection from stomach cancer with diet increases to 60 percent. So, consume broccoli, cauliflower slaw, shiitake mushrooms, dandelion, white cabbage, zucchini and tomatoes every day.
The protective effect of lycopene and selenium in tomatoes has been proven in prostate cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer and stomach cancer. We recommend our patients to eat 4-5 tomatoes a day. Lycopene can also be taken externally as a pill.
One of the most important factors causing cancer is obesity. It creates a great risk especially in large intestine and breast cancers. Therefore, it is necessary to cut red meat and feed it with fats such as white, olive oil and soy.
Minerals health resource
– Omega 3: Omega 3, which is especially abundant in North Sea fish, is one of the substances that has been found to be protective against cancer. It provides a protective effect, especially in breast cancer, prostate cancer and colon cancer. It is recommended to consume Omega 3 regularly every day to prevent cancer. It is stated that eating fish 3 times a week is sufficient to consume enough Omega 3.
– Selenium: Selenium plays an effective role in the prevention of many cancers, especially prostate cancer. Studies have shown that it reduces prostate cancer by 40 percent.” Apart from this, selenium has been found to be protective in the body, especially in uterine cancer, stomach cancer, mouth, head and neck cancers.
– Vitamin C: Vitamin C, which is one of the most abundant vitamins in fruits and vegetables, is used successfully both in cancer prevention and in cancer treatment by preferring high doses. Vitamin C has been used for years to treat cancer or to prevent cancer.
Normally, the daily requirement of people is around 2 grams per day. But in high doses, if you want to cure cancer, it can be recommended to increase up to 10 grams. Because the human body does not make vitamin C and therefore it has been shown that vitamin C taken from outside prevents cancer and stimulates the immune system.
Carrot Prevents DNA Damage
Carrot has a preventive effect on DNA damage with its betacarotene content. Beta-carotenes increase the body’s resistance to cancer. There is a substance called “Vesibretrol” in the seed and skin of black grapes. This substance directly protects the body against cancer.
Studies show that thyme, black cumin and flaxseed are also effective in preventing cancer. Ginger is used against nausea during cancer treatment. Chamomile, on the other hand, has a preventive effect on the mouth wound of cancer patients.
Milk thistle flower can treat liver cancers and shrink tumors. Nettle has been used in cancer treatment for years. But only the root is useful. The name of the fragrance is called Nettle. Herbal medicines should not be used during drug treatment.