The Importance of Fruits and Vegetables during Cancer Treatment

Author bio: Kaitlyn Teabo is a writer for The Mesothelioma Center. She combines her interests in writing, cancer research and emerging scientific technology to educate the mesothelioma community about asbestos and its related diseases.

If you have been diagnosed with cancer, one of the most important things to include in your treatment regimen is good nutrition. Whether you are undergoing surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy or other cancer treatments, making fruits and vegetables a regular part of your diet can have a significant impact on the success of your treatment.

Many fruits and vegetables contain a number of cancer-fighting compounds that may improve your response to treatment and help you fight off cancer. Incorporating plant-based foods into your diet may also help you manage treatment-related side effects.

Fruits and Vegetables to Eat during Cancer Treatment

Plant-based foods, such as fruits are vegetables, play an important role in the treatment process. Here are some that may help in your fight against cancer:

 

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  Apples are a good source of fiber, which can help treat constipation, a possible side effect of cancer treatment. They are also a great source of vitamin C — which can help protect against cancers of the esophagus — and phytochemicals that show antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may be directly toxic to cancer cells.

  
  


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  Berries such as blueberries, strawberries and raspberries are also a great source for vitamin C and fiber. All berries contain the phytochemical ellagic acid, which may help fight against cancers of the skin, lung, bladder, esophagus and breast by reducing the reproduction rate of cancer cells.

  
  


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  Broccoli is rich in vitamins and minerals that may be helpful during treatment. It is a good source of vitamin C, but also a great source of folate, potassium, fiber, magnesium and beta-carotene.

  
  


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  Cherries are a good source of vitamin A, vitamin C and fiber. They may also help relieve pain, a major side effect of cancer treatment.

  
  


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  Corn is a vegetable relatively high in carbohydrates, which may help increase your energy during treatment.

  
  


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  Garlic, when crushed, diced or minced, release the anti-cancer agent, allicin, which can block the formation of cancer-causing substances. Garlic may also slow tumor growth.

  
  


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  Grapes, especially their skins, are rich in resveratrol, a phytochemical that demonstrates antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and may inhibit the growth of cancer cells.

  
  


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  Tomatoes contain lycopene, a phytochemical that may help fight against prostate, breast and lung cancers.

  
  

Nutritional needs vary from person to person and depend on many factors including the type and stage of cancer and how your body reacts to certain types of treatment. An oncology nutritionist can help you determine the best nutritional plan that is right for your individual needs. Eating fruits and vegetables during treatment is just one of many ways to improve your health during cancer treatment. 

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Benefits of Exercise With Cancer

I am pleased to have Melanie Bowen as a guest blogger for this post.

 Melanie Bowen joined the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance in 2011 as an awareness advocate for natural health and cancer cure initiatives. You will often find her highlighting the great benefits of alternative nutritional, emotional, and physical treatments on those diagnosed with cancer or other serious illness. Melanie also assists in social media outreach in her efforts to spread awareness. In her spare time, you can find Melanie trying new vegan recipes, on her yoga mat, or spending time with her family.

*Thanks Melanie for your Guest appearance and all you do to spread the word.

Benefits of Exercise With Cancer

by: Melanie Bowen

A fitness program is necessary for every cancer patient. Do you have one?
If not, make plans to talk with your doctor about developing your exercise
regimen. Patients can expect improved energy levels, decreased recovery times,
and more strength in their bodies overall. Here are some other benefits you can
expect from physical fitness and cancer.

1. Increase Energy Balance
With exercise, you will increase your health and energy balance. Physical activity,
weight, and diet all play a role in how energetic you will be. People who have
cancer feel better about having autonomy and control over their lives. Many people
feel defeated when they get cancer because they have to depend upon others to
complete every day tasks. When you exercise, your mood improves, your energy
levels improve, and you will recover faster. If you want an improved energy balance,
you should exercise as often as possible. Even one hour of walking per week will
improve energy balance.

2. Engage in Moderate-Intensity Exercise
Experts recommend engaging in 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise on five
or more days per week. If you engage in vigorous-intensity physical activity, you can
exercise for 20 minutes for three or more days per week. The Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends jogging, walking, aerobics, yoga, and
Pilates as options for physical activity.

3. Weight Control
Exercise helps people to control their weight. People often gain weight with cancer
medication. Weight gain can contribute to development of diabetes and high blood
pressure. Cancer has enough complications without adding complications from
high blood pressure, diabetes, and other conditions. Exercise will reduce the risk of
premature death.

4. Improve Psychological Well-Being
Exercise improves psychological well-being by releasing endorphins into the system.
When endorphins are released, people feel happier. Happy people heal faster. A
compromised immune system can often lead to complications, so it is important to
have a good outlook in order to heal faster. You will also make it more pleasant for
people helping you when you are pleasant to be around.

Physical Fitness Can Improve Cancer Patients Prognosis
Physical fitness can improve any patient’s prognosis, but keep in mind that you
will be weak during this time. Just make sure you exercise as much as you can to
create new red blood cells. This will alleviate the symptoms from anemia and cancer
treatments from breast cancer all the way to mesothelioma. Soon, you will be back
to your old self and able to interact in the world as you normally would!