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Nutrition and Cancer

Do you know what goes into your mouth on a daily basis? Sadly, few people do, and this lack of knowledge can have some very grave consequences. In fact, according to the National Cancer Institute, at least 35% of all cancer cases are related to poor nutrition. Because we can control our diet, that iss a large number of deadly cancer occurrences that could have possibly been prevented. If you are concerned about your health, as everyone should be, learning about cancer's relationship to nutrition could help to save your life.

First, it is important to eat a balanced diet to prevent cancer and other health problems. Although there is some debate as to exactly which foods are best in certain quantities, the basic guidelines for a healthy diet are simple. Stay away from junk food and eat everything else in moderation.

According to national standards, there is no one "set" pyramid that everyone can look to as a food guide. The foods you should be eating depend on your age, weight, height, and health. It is important to eat the most nutritious calories possible, rather than ingesting calories from fast food, candy, and processed foods. In general, you should be eating the most from the whole grain and protein categories, supplementing with milk, fruits, and vegetables.

In many cases, no matter how well you eat, cancer may still develop for a multitude of reasons. If this happens to you, continuing to eat a healthy diet is crucial to your overall condition. Vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, and proteins all play a role in your health. If you don't eat the right nutrients, your body cannot effectively fight cancer. In addition, malnutrition causes your body to be weakened against infections. Many cancer patients do not die from the cancer itself, but rather a medical condition stemming from a weakened condition.

If you have been diagnosed with cancer, one of the first steps should include a nutritional plan with your doctor. This can be as important as radiation, chemotherapy, or other forms of cancer treatment. With the right nutritional plan, chances of survival greatly improve. For information about nutrition during cancer treatment, please see "Proper Nutrition during Chemotherapy" and "Proper Nutrition during Radiation."

In addition to improving your chances of survival, proper dietary care can help relieve the painful or uncomfortable symptoms of cancer. Of course, this depends on the type of cancer, but by improving the symptoms you can improve quality of life - even if your cancer is severe.

One of the most common side effects of cancer and cancer treatment is nausea. There are a number of dietary changes you can make to help this problem. Dry grain products like crackers and toast can help calm an upset stomach. Bland foods will also help with nausea, as well as acid reflux problems. The same is true of greasy foods.

Another common characteristic of cancer patients is low white blood cell count. This increases the chance of getting an infection. To avoid this, there are a number of changes you can make in the foods you ingest. However, in this case, it is most important to avoid bacteria, which is common in foods that are damaged or not prepared well. Avoid buffets when eating out, wash your hands before preparing meals, avoid raw meats and fish (like sushi), and throw away any foods that are bruised or damaged.

For many people, avoiding certain foods can not decrease the chance of developing cancer. Cancer is a complex medical condition, with many factors playing various roles. But a look at your diet could help prevent cancer in many cases. In addition to eating a balanced diet, use the following tips to help prevent cancer:

• Avoid alcohol in excess amounts.
• Monitor weight carefully, not only being sure to stay trim, but also being sure the avoid becoming too thin.
• Learn about safe food preparation techniques.
• Cut the "bad" fats from your diet, opting instead for "good" fats, such as olive oil.
• Choose fruits and vegetables often.
• Avoid processed foods, like prepackaged meals.
• Make healthy choices when eating out, opting for low-carb or vegetable-based meals when possible.
• Monitor the types of fish you eat, choosing species low in mercury.
• Buy products that are organic.
• Stay away from fast food.
• Cut tobacco products out of your life.
• Take a multi-vitamin every day.
• Include adequate amounts of fiber in your diet.

Be sure to talk to your doctor to learn about more ways to decrease the risk of developing cancer. Positive changes in your diet and other areas of your life (such as your physical activity) will help prevent cancer. If you do develop this medical condition, at the very least, these changes will allow you to fight the cancer more readily.

Sources:

1. http://www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/pdq/supportivecare/nutrition
2. http://www.mypyramid.gov

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