Although no one food can prevent or treat lung cancer , your dietary choices can strengthen your body and help you feel better during treatment.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762939bf8de4-1ca9-418e-92ba-24e971187154 It is not uncommon for people with lung cancer who are undergoing treatment to experience uncomfortable digestive changes such as nausea and vomiting, says Kerry St. Pierre, RD , the secretary of the cancer interest group at the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. Lung cancer treatment can also affect taste, smell, and bowel habits, which can make eating well a challenge.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629ceb21cd2-4cd4-419c-b37b-08c66f1f59ff Diet can never replace medical treatment for lung cancer, but certain foods can help curb nutrient deficiencies , which can affect how well treatment works, as well as overall quality of life.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629d93ce3ec-746e-42bc-a5a1-485d13573651 In general, try to get all of the essential nutrients daily, including protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and water.
Spinach Spinach and other leafy greens like kale, broccoli, and romaine lettuce are packed with folate. A vital type of vitamin B , folate may help your cells repair themselves and protect them from some carcinogens.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762976c7be8d-ee32-4b5b-9f40-8670d3280724e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762938de909e-40d9-4753-a00c-edfff1fa3758 Beyond folate, spinach and kale offer fiber, iron, potassium, and vitamins A, C, E, and K.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976293f0ef732-a061-42ac-a6ce-48180b4d29c7 These micronutrients keep your body functioning well and help you use the energy you get from food.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629aa3dd64a-7124-4177-b4ef-f5968e54a777 They also contain carotenoids, which are natural pigments that work as antioxidants and may slow cancer progression.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629f8c39856-d389-4971-ad29-58be58fffd7f Spinach
Blueberries Blueberries have a pigment called anthocyanin, which protects your cells during cancer treatment. This phytonutrient lowers inflammation and is a strong antioxidant .e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976290b374e56-fc2d-4520-a07a-10c4883ee3dce60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629459a6087-7999-4b83-a80a-e7f2d66c9307 Many phytonutrients can protect against cancer growth, and colorful fruits are full of them.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762938de85a6-c19d-4443-8e70-dee67d0160fa St. Pierre recommends that people with lung cancer consume “an abundance of chemoprotective dietary polyphenols — another phytonutrient type — especially from sources high in anthocyanins such as blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and plums.” e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976295f1a570e-0d3b-4124-a77d-43a98e309b01 Although more research is needed, anthocyanins have also shown potential for altering tumor metabolism by making them more sensitive to chemotherapy agents.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976297e318a27-1d4a-4390-95f0-ba2e4def7a37 Blueberries
Cauliflower Cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower contain a phytonutrient called sulforaphane, which experts believe is one of the strongest cancer-fighting compounds found in food. Other veggies that contain this protective powerhouse include broccoli, cabbage, bok choy, and Brussels sprouts.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629f3ce92c5-194e-484b-9b40-294e31868a58e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629da067ddf-5796-4602-aa01-28b567462635 In addition to sulforaphane, cauliflower creates a compound known as indole-3-carbinol (I3C) during digestion. Because I3C quickly repairs cell damage from cancer-causing compounds, e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976292ac646ef-18ba-454b-86e8-35b78c7a2b76 it may prevent cells from mutating and turning into cancer.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629f3ce92c5-194e-484b-9b40-294e31868a58 More research is needed to determine how I3C may help with cancer prevention. Cauliflower
Oatmeal Oatmeal may not fight cancer cells, but it makes a great meal during cancer treatment, when food may not be appealing. In general, soft, bland foods rich in soluble fiber can offer nutrition without worsening side effects like nausea and diarrhea.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629a37dc9e0-3cdd-4260-9bbd-ceff52254ed7 Oatmeal also carries a healthy portion of vitamins and minerals, including magnesium, copper, thiamine, and zinc.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976291048f602-a1c0-4df0-a4b9-c6109c5c6808e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629211c946e-afb5-47d9-a8c2-a06539625fc1 Research suggests that zinc may help preserve the sense of taste and help relieve mouth sores and inflammation from chemotherapy treatments.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976297d81d05d-479a-4f2c-a44f-f3ce9965f3a2 Oatmeal
Sunflower Seeds Most seeds and nuts are loaded with nutrients that will support your body during cancer treatment,e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629562c1eea-fd0a-438f-b6b2-83801354f944 but sunflower seeds also contain chlorogenic acid, which may slow lung tumor growth.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976292bab81b4-e2e5-4f3e-8b80-52fa3f3940f1 “Researchers have observed the ability of chlorogenic acid to disrupt tumor angiogenesis — one of the processes that fuels tumor growth,” says St. Pierre. In addition to sunflower seeds, sunflower oil may also protect against cancer growth, as opposed to vegetable and animal butters, which can promote it.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629c3c0a51c-0842-4645-85e8-78e49130ad6a St. Pierre also recommends other foods and drinks that contain chlorogenic acid, including coffee, tea, carrots, apples, and pears.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629d6757dd0-5478-4622-b409-e6c516110e25 Sunflower Seeds
Ginger Ginger has been an herbal treatment for nausea and vomiting for centuries, and it may help ease the side effects of chemotherapy.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762919df4aef-7cda-4d37-a503-deda13d4e758 St. Pierre recommends ginger to her patients with lung cancer because it contains the compounds shogaols and gingerols, which may help prevent metastasis , although more studies are needed to prove this.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629b784a575-fd8f-43c3-af0e-ad13b396ddcc St. Pierre suggests adding ginger to meals and snacks. “Ginger can effectively be incorporated into hydrating teas and soups as well as smoothies,” she says. You can also keep ginger lozenges on hand for nausea in between meals and snacks. Ginger
Roasted Chicken Roasted chicken is an excellent source of lean protein , which is vital for cancer recovery, especially after lung cancer surgery.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629d0927f0f-1a70-4f07-956c-bbacfc4e510a Protein also prevents muscle loss during other cancer treatments, and it can help you recuperate faster.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762933f4603d-6c6c-4459-a555-e125ee034d88 Even though you may not always feel like eating when you’re in cancer treatment, losing too much muscle can weaken you and prevent you from performing basic daily tasks. Getting enough protein can keep up your strength and improve surgical wound healing.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629bced9c0f-c6ed-4034-9a58-b5934c868093 If chicken isn’t appealing, you can opt for protein shakes or other low-fat proteins like nut butters and beans.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629f8a532fc-bcf5-40d0-8f3a-3a44ff856cd6 Roasted Chicken
The Takeaway Diet alone can’t prevent or treat lung cancer. But your food choices can help you feel better during cancer treatment and improve your overall well-being. Foods like spinach, oatmeal, and ginger can help repair and protect cells, improve the effectiveness of treatments, and alleviate unwanted side effects such as nausea and diarrhea. Even if you don’t always feel like eating when you’re undergoing lung cancer treatment, foods high in protein can help you retain muscle and keep up your energy levels.
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