The Wellness Community

The Wellness Community Nutrition Handbook

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Table Of Contents
Main Page Introduction Nutrition and Cancer - Guidelines The Three Different Stages in a Cycle of Nutrition and Cancer Nutrition During Treatment Specific Chemotherapy Agents and Nutrition Radiation Treatment and Nutrition Other Nutritional Ideas Some Important Reminders Herbs and Surgery Warnings Natural Energy Drinks Immuno-Soup Suggestions for Handling Problems During Treatment for Cancer Suggestions for Eating to Provide Maximum Immunity Dietary Fat/Omega-3 Fatty acids and Cancer Fat Content of Various Foods Digestive Enzymes Explained go

NUTRITION AND CHEMOTHERAPY

General

• Drink plenty of fluids - at least two liters total with most of it coming from clear liquids such as water, apple juice, clear broths or jello. Avoid caffeine containing liquids such as tea, coffee and colas as these are dehydrating.
• Eat small quantities of food rather than large meals for easier digestion.
• Eat crackers, Melba toast, pasta and baked potato if you feel nauseous.
• Use the concept of the "Expedient Diet" and make up for eating less healthily, if needed, when you have more strength.
• Eat avocado often as it is an excellent source of calories, essential fatty acids, potassium and glutathione, unless contraindicated (if on Procarbazine or other medication requiring a low tyramine diet)

Some Drug-Specific Nutritional Advice

Asparaginase,Elspar	Drink extra fluids. Consume extra calories.
Bleomycin, Blenoxane	Bland foods.
Busulfan, Myleran	Drink extra fluids. Eat foods rich in B vitamins.
Carmustine, BiCNU	Bland foods, avocado.
Chlorambucil, Leukeran	Drink extra fluids. Bland foods, avocado.
Cisplatin and carboplatin	Avoid purine rich foods (liver, caviar, sardines, anchovies). Eat plenty of magnesium, potassium and zinc rich foods (whole grains and nuts). Drink extra fluids.
Cladribine, 2-CdA, Leustatin	No special diet.
Cyclophosmide, Cytoxan	Drink extra fluids. Don't cut back on salt or sodium containing foods. Avoid alcohol. Eat bland and low fat foods.
Cytarabine, Ara-C, Cytosar-U	Drink extra fluids. Bland foods, avocado.
Dacarbazine,DITC-Dome	Drink extra fluids. Bland foods, avocado.
Daunorubicin, Cerubine	Drink extra fluids. Eat foods rich in B vitamins, particularly riboflavin (milk, lean meat, egg yolks, wheat germ).
Doxorubicin, Adriamycin	Drink extra fluids. Eat foods rich in B vitamins particularly riboflavin (see above).
Etoposide, VePesid, VP-16	Bland foods, avocado.
5-Fluorouracil, Adrucil	Drink extra fluids. Eat foods rich in B vitamins.
Fludarabine, Fludara-IV	Drink extra fluids.
Hydroxyurea, Hydrea	Drink extra fluids.
Idarubicin, Idamycin	Drink extra fluids.
Ifosfamide, Ifex	Drink extra fluids.
Lomustine, CeeNU	Bland foods, avocado.
Mechlorethamine, Mustargen	Drink extra fluids. Restrict simple sugars.
Melphalan, Alkeran	Drink extra fluids.
Mercaptopurine, Purinethol	Drink extra fluids, avoid alcohol. Avoid foods rich in purines (anchovies, kidneys, liver, meat extracts, sardines, beans and lentils). Eat foods rich in B vitamins like wheat germ.
Methotrexate, Mexate	Drink extra fluids, avoid alcohol, bland diet. Eat foods that produce an alkaline urine to assist excretion (almonds, milk, fruits and vegetables except cranberries, plums, corn and lentils).
Mitomycin, Mutamycin	Drink extra fluids, bland diet, avocado. Eat foods rich in folate (green, leafy vegetables, citrus fruits) and foods rich in calcium (dairy foods, broccoli).
Mitoxantrone, Novantrone	Drink extra fluids (discolored urine)
Pentostatin, Nipent	Bland foods, avocado.
Procarbazine, Matulane	Avoid tyramine containing foods (aged cheeses, yogurt, raisins, eggplant, canned figs, salami, sour cream, avocados, bananas, soy sauce, lima beans, tenderized meats, etc. - ask for a list from doctor). Maintain tyramine free diet for 14 days after treatment ceases. No alcohol.
Tamoxifen, Nolvadex	Avoid high fat foods. Exercise regularly to minimize possible weight gain side effect. Eat foods rich in calcium and magnesium (dairy foods, broccoli, nuts and seeds).
Taxol	Drink extra fluids.
6-Thioguanine, Tabloid	High fiber diet.
Vinblastine, Velban	Drink extra fluids.
Vincristine, Oncovin	Drink extra fluids, bland diet, avocado.
New Anti-Cancer Agents
Interferon-" recombinant Intron, Roferon	Drink extra fluids, bland diet, avocado.
Other cytokines	Eat plenty of protein.
Drugs used with Chemotherapy
Dexamethasone, Decadron	Low salt, high potassium diet (avocado, bananas, citrus fruits, most vegetables).Adequate chromium in diet (whole grains, brewer's yeast)
Prednisone, Deltasone,	Low sugar diet. No alcohol.
Meticorten, Orasen	Low salt, high potassium diet. No alcohol. Adequate chromium in diet (see above).
Mesna, Mesnex	Plenty of fluids.

If your oncologist is using combinations of the above medications modify the advice so that you retain the most important parts, e.g. Remember to speak with him about nutrition. Ask for a dietary consult with a Registered Dietitian or Certified Nutrition Specialist.

Here is an example of dietary advice for a combination regimen:

CMF: Avoid fatty foods. Eat small quantities of bland flavors. Avoid alcohol, highly spiced foods or very acidic foods (cranberries, pineapple, lemons, etc.). Focus on vegetables, lean meats moistened in liquids, e.g. as stews or in soups, and on whole grain cereals. Many chemotherapy regimens affect your blood cell count. If not contraindicated, a hematinic (blood building) supplement may be recommended. Check with your oncologist.

 

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