Jillian McKee:
Cancer and cancer treatments place great stresses on the body. Although a nutritious diet is important for everyone, eating healthy during cancer can mean something quite different than it does for the general population. Good cancer nutrition can be as individualized as the patient themselves, but for many people coping with cancer, a healthy vegetarian diet can help improve the immune system and provide essential nutrients depleted by the disease and its treatments.
According to the American Cancer Society, numerous studies support that vegetarians generally have a lower risk of many cancers. This is largely because a healthy vegetarian diet is rich in plant products and whole grains that provide a wide range of phytonutrients, fibers, and healthy carbohydrates. They also eliminate the relatively large amounts of saturated and dangerous fats found in meat products.
Cancer and its treatments cause many changes and stresses in the body. Rapid weight loss, a loss of appetite, nausea, and digestive issues are among these stressors that that can affect those with nearly every cancer, including mesothelioma and leukemia. Plant foods can be easy to digest while providing large amounts of vitamins such as C and E to boost immune response. In addition, the fiber and healthy carbohydrates provided by whole grains can help to regulate digestion and keep blood sugar level for added energy.
An important component of a healthy diet is protein in order to combat weight and muscle loss and improve healing from surgery. Illness places special demands on the body’s stores of energy, so getting enough protein is essential. Since a non-vegetarian diet provides protein in the form of meat, vegetarians need to meet their protein requirements from non-meat sources.
Legumes, grains, soy products and even some vegetables such as broccoli contain considerable amounts of protein. A diet rich in these foods can easily meet protein requirements. For lacto-ovo vegetarians, low-fat dairy products are best as they provide substantial amounts of protein.
Another concern is in obtaining enough B vitamins, which mainly found in meats, especially beef. Again, a balanced vegetarian diet rich in whole grains and legumes generally provides enough of these vitamins for a healthy adult, but since cancer creates a need for extra nutritional support, B vitamin supplements can be helpful. The American Cancer Society and other cancer experts advise cancer patients to consult with a qualified nutritionist to plan a diet that accommodates individual needs.
People who follow a vegetarian diet during cancer fall into one of two camps: either they are vegetarians before their cancer diagnosis, or they begin to embrace a meatless diet during their experience with cancer. A nutrition expert who understands cancer and its treatment can suggest changes or modifications to a diet depending on different needs.
-Jillian Mckee-
Read more: http://www.mesothelioma.com/blog/authors/jillian/bio.htm#ixzz1yWzknILW
Vegetarian Diets: Green Support For Cancer Patients
Cancer and cancer treatments place great stresses on the body. Although a nutritious diet is important for everyone, eating healthy during cancer can mean something quite different than it does for the general population. Good cancer nutrition can be as individualized as the patient themselves, but for many people coping with cancer, a healthy vegetarian diet can help improve the immune system and provide essential nutrients depleted by the disease and its treatments.
According to the American Cancer Society, numerous studies support that vegetarians generally have a lower risk of many cancers. This is largely because a healthy vegetarian diet is rich in plant products and whole grains that provide a wide range of phytonutrients, fibers, and healthy carbohydrates. They also eliminate the relatively large amounts of saturated and dangerous fats found in meat products.
Cancer and its treatments cause many changes and stresses in the body. Rapid weight loss, a loss of appetite, nausea, and digestive issues are among these stressors that that can affect those with nearly every cancer, including mesothelioma and leukemia. Plant foods can be easy to digest while providing large amounts of vitamins such as C and E to boost immune response. In addition, the fiber and healthy carbohydrates provided by whole grains can help to regulate digestion and keep blood sugar level for added energy.
An important component of a healthy diet is protein in order to combat weight and muscle loss and improve healing from surgery. Illness places special demands on the body’s stores of energy, so getting enough protein is essential. Since a non-vegetarian diet provides protein in the form of meat, vegetarians need to meet their protein requirements from non-meat sources.
Legumes, grains, soy products and even some vegetables such as broccoli contain considerable amounts of protein. A diet rich in these foods can easily meet protein requirements. For lacto-ovo vegetarians, low-fat dairy products are best as they provide substantial amounts of protein.
Another concern is in obtaining enough B vitamins, which mainly found in meats, especially beef. Again, a balanced vegetarian diet rich in whole grains and legumes generally provides enough of these vitamins for a healthy adult, but since cancer creates a need for extra nutritional support, B vitamin supplements can be helpful. The American Cancer Society and other cancer experts advise cancer patients to consult with a qualified nutritionist to plan a diet that accommodates individual needs.
People who follow a vegetarian diet during cancer fall into one of two camps: either they are vegetarians before their cancer diagnosis, or they begin to embrace a meatless diet during their experience with cancer. A nutrition expert who understands cancer and its treatment can suggest changes or modifications to a diet depending on different needs.
Read more: http://www.mesothelioma.com/blog/authors/jillian/bio.htm#ixzz1yWzknILW
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