Guest Author - Adelle Ottavini
The one main key to ‘healthy cancer’ is to try and maintain the weight you had during the onset of cancer. Whether you were under weight, over weight, or just right – one should try keeping the scale to that number. As cachexia is found amongst 60% of patients with advanced cancer, it is not always as easy as it seems. Certain chemotherapy chemicals that enter the blood stream speeds up the metabolism, depleting the body of calories at a much more rapid pace. The nausea that some chemotherapy drugs induce can also result in weight loss. Loss of appetite and especially mouth sores also interferes tremendously with a patients’ nutritional intake. The psychological effect of ‘wasting away’ during cancer is most probably the worst enemy. This is why one should fight weight loss as much as you can.
Weight loss is linked to inflammation in the body – and one should try reducing inflammation at all cost. It has been found that vitamins C, D and vitamin Bs all aid in this. Intravenous aspirin has also shown some positive results. When it comes to food intake – focus on the higher intake of calories and protein. It is very helpful to see a nutritionist, as cancers, treatments and situations varies from person-to-person. There are some general diet tips to combat weight loss that you can follow:
. Always eat when you feel hungry – don’t wait.
. Never take fluids just before or during a meal.
. Eat whatever you like – just eat!
. Take in up to 1000 EXTRA calories a day.
. Make your main meal in the morning.
. Add peanut butter, bananas, and milk products like ice cream, soup and raisins to your diet.
. Get some liquid meal replacements, and take them often.
. If meat is not your thing at the moment, add any-and-all types of beans to your diet.
. A little alcohol like beer or wine can increase your appetite.
. Light exercise will also increase your appetite.
. Marinol (FDA approved marijuana) helps with appetite.
. Always have fluids between meals to combat dehydration.
. Sugar (except for fruits) is a bad calorie – rather go for chocolates with added milk.
It is very important to remember that now is a time for healing, not dieting. When you ‘allow’ yourself to loose unnecessary weight, you starve your body. It is very important to realise that your body absolutely relies on what nutrition you give it. See the food as ammunition to fight the cancer. Stay away from people with flu, stomach ailments or any other contagious diseases. The last thing your body needs now is yet another virus to combat. This could actually be ‘fun’ – no more eating salad for lunch – go out and have a waffle-and-cream with milkshake! And remember to take those vitamins!!
