Cancer NutritionWhy cancer patients need nutritional support?

Cancer & NutritionCancer is a war of attrition

Cachexia is the loss of muscle mass due to cancer signals

Cachexia can be reversed with the right diet

Nutritional quality is more important than quantity

Cancer & Nutrition

>70% die from malnutrition

Up to 80% of patients have below optimal levels of albumin

up to 40% die to due malnutrition not cancer itself

Reasons cancer patients need nutritional support?

Cachexia

Cancer cells produce cytokines that:

weight loss esp muscles

weakness

loss of appetite

poorly reversed by increasing caloric intake

Cancer & Nutrition

Poor Appetite

Weak Elimination

Weak Digestion

Cancer & Nutrition

Macro- and micronutrient deficiencies

Protein (albumin)

Essential Amino acids

Fatty Acids (Essential)

Vitamins and Minerals

Number of patients who die of cancer with good nutritional status?

ZERO

Wouldn’t it be more logical to nourish the body ?

Cancer & NutritionFoods for cachexia

Calorie-dense*

High in protein and fats

1-2grams/kg of protein

Omega 3 fatty acids

branched Amino acids *foods having 225-275 cal/100 grams

Cancer & NutritionProtein*

Vegetable source such as nuts, beans

Whey

Egg albumin

*branched amino acids (leucine, isoleucine, valine)

Cancer & NutritionOmega 3 fatty acids

dose is at least 1.5 g of EPA/day

Increase muscle mass

provide much needed calories

decrease inflammation

Cancer & Nutrition

Cancer patients who are not eating well:

blended foods

Nasogastric tube/Gastrostomy

TPN

Cancer & Nutrition

Eating not Pill popping

5-6 small frequent meals

Higher protein content esp in the morning

Cut sugar to as low as you can

Cancer & NutritionChoose:

Nuts and beans

healthy oils

Brassica family (Kale)

Sea-weed

Rainbow colors

Cancer & NutritionRecap:

Cancer is a metabolic disease

Nutritional support should be the primary focus of treatment, not secondary

Cancer can be prevented, reversed, and even cured with the right nutrition.

“He who takes medicine and neglects to diet wastes the skill of his doctors.”

– Chinese Proverb