Russ Chiropractic's Wellness Blog

The following is a guest blog written by Leroy Templeton, a recent college graduate and health nut looking to make a difference, about cancer and how to deal with the effects of chemotherapy should you decide to pursue that avenue of treatment.

A cancer diagnosis certainly does mean changes in lifestyle for the patient before, during and after treatment. Maintaining a healthy diet is essential, however exactly what the cancer patients needs to stay healthy and able to endure the process of chemotherapy and other treatments is slightly different than the required intake for the population at large.

Preparing For Chemotherapy

This form of treatment affects all of the body’s systems, and the result of chemo is often a lack of appetite, a disruption in metabolism and changes in the efficiency of digestion and absorption. It is therefore necessary to have the body in good overall condition before treatment begins, and one of the most effective ways to do this is to undertake a daily food regimen that is loaded with proteins, vitamins and foods that are otherwise easy to digest. The need for protein usually increases during chemotherapy, and since the body needs a certain amount of complementary proteins as well as complete proteins from meat and fish, combining foods rich in protein material and yet are easy on the digestive system is highly recommended. These would include eggs, dairy products and legumes, especially protein-laden beans.

Weight Loss During Cancer Treatment

Weight loss is a notorious symptom of cancer in many patients. However undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatment often increases this reduction in weight, so patients are often encouraged to pack on the calories before treatment begins. This can actually mean an increased amount of fat intake, combined with foods that are again rich in proteins. However it is vitally important to make sure that every calorie counts – avoid empty calories like soda pop – and instead go heavy on the meat, fish, starches such as potatoes and rice, and remember to also get a good amount of fiber. A bowl of oatmeal that contains brown sugar as a sweetener is fine, but instead of relying on sugar alone, try out foods that are naturally sweet such as berries. These often have more protein and a greater amount of usable carbohydrates than many fruits such as apples or oranges.

Plentiful Amounts of Water

Both before and during chemotherapy treatments it is essential to increase the water intake. Most forms of cancer treatment put a strain on the kidneys and it is important not to tax them further. Hydrating the body fully also helps to reduce nausea symptoms from chemotherapy, not to mention reducing pain that is often felt as a result of undernourished cells. Extensive intake of water has also been noted to help prevent and limit the effects of many respiratory cancers including lung cancer and papillary mesothelioma. Also, many patients perspire more during cancer treatment, have diarrhea or watery discharges, so replacing this lost fluid is vital.

Always follow the advice of the physician in charge of treatment and recovery. After being treated it is always recommended that a healthy diet and plenty of exercise, even during the initial recovery period, be undertaken to reduce lingering symptoms and help regain lost body mass. Exercise in combination with diet will tone the muscles, which are often weakened during cancer treatment.

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Leroy brought up quite a few very good points in this very informative post. One thing I will add the most people don’t know about is that chiropractic is often used in conjunction with chemotherapy and/or radiation treatment to help relieve pain, improve lymphatic drainage, and enhance the nervous system. If you or anyone you know is undergoing therapy for cancer be sure to include chiropractic in your treatment plan. For any questions please visit Chiropractor Wilmington NC.