Monday, July 2, 2012

I would like to introduce you to guest blogger, Jillian McKee. Bringing a wealth of personal and professional experience to the organization, Jillian has worked as a Complementary Medicine Advocate at the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance since June of 2009. Jillian spends most her time on outreach efforts and spreading information about the integration of complementary and alternative medicine when used in conjunction with traditional cancer treatment. The article below is about the benefits of eating healthy during and after a diagnosis of any kind of cancer. Each different cancer has its limitations, but if one can keep a healthy body, they can have a better chance to overcome this awful disease. In-Joy!

A Couple of Changes to Supplement Your Fight

Whether just diagnosed, enduring treatment, or successfully post-treatment, one of the most important attacks any individual can make in his or her battle against cancer is eradicating poor eating habits and reforming good practices. Nutrition not only changes the lifestyle one is living, but it changes the way the body processes nutrients in general. Good nutrition fortifies the body with necessary nutrients, vitamins, and minerals to protect it for outside forces. While nutrition is not a “cure all” for cancer, it definitely makes a difference in the body’s defense mechanisms. Just as many different cancer treatments exist, no two physicians suggest the same diet to support the cancer fight. Nonetheless, making simple changes like eating a low fat diet with little animal protein can serve as the first steps toward a plan for nutrition that supports a healthy approach to fighting mesothelioma or any other cancer. (As with any other diet or exercise plan, one should always consult a doctor for specific suggestions and recommendations.) 



Low Fat


The human body is not designed to function at its prime on a diet high in fat, so it seems like maintaining a diet low in fat or at least low in saturated fat should be step taken by every individual. Concerning cancer particularly, fat is a hindrance because cancer cells need lipoproteins or LDL’s to grow. A diet lower in fat reduces LDL’s, which can help prevent tumor cells from growing. Second, fat digestion produces bile which can remain in the stomach and become a carcinogen if not processed by the body. Avoiding fat stimulates less bile production, which protects the body from an unnecessary internal cancer-developing material.

To maintain a low fat diet, focus on eating only 20% of calories from fat. For example, on a 2,000 calorie a day diet, an individual would eat no more than 45 grams of fat or 400 calories from fat. Another consideration is to not just remove fat completely from the diet but to capitalize on “the right fat.” Suggested fats include unsaturated fat, found in beans and vegetable oils, and monounsaturated fats such as olive and canola oil, and omega 3 fatty acids in fish including salmon and tuna. 


Low Animal Protein


Considering animal protein is a must when reforming a diet plan. As a general rule, foods supplied by animal sources contain higher ratios of saturated fats, hormones, antibiotics, and pesticides. Each of these is a problem because fat promotes obesity and prohibits the body from functioning properly, and the hormones, antibiotics, and pesticides are known to promote cancer.

When choosing proteins, plant-based are always the best. Look for items such as legumes: beans, peas, and peanuts; nuts including walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, and pistachios; and whole grains such as brown rice, oats, corn, quinoa, amaranth and wheat. Other sources of plant protein can be found in leafy green vegetables such as spinach, kale, collards, and swiss chard.

While these two considerations only serve as simple guidelines for a healthier, more defensive diet, they still help in the fight against cancer. Any change toward better nutrition is a positive change.

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