Stomach Cancer: Do’s and Don’ts for diet
Have you or your close ones recently been diagnosed with stomach cancer? Concerned about what to eat? Cancer is a disease which everyone is afraid of, and rightfully so! Whenever we encounter any disease our first thought is about “what kind of diet should I take?” In this blog, we’ll talk about stomach cancer diet and do’s and don’ts!
With proper information, you can fight any disease!
What is Stomach Cancer?
Stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer, is one of the most common cancers in the world, primarily affecting older men. The stomach is a part of our digestive system that is in charge of digesting food after it has been mixed with stomach fluids.
A cancer diagnosis can be a life- changing experience. Maintaining a healthy diet for cancer patients is an important part of treatment in this case. Eating a well-balanced diet before and after cancer treatment can help you feel better, stay strong, and recover faster.
A cancer patient’s diet should include a variety of proteins, fats, vitamins, calories, and minerals to help them recover faster. While eating can be difficult, getting enough nutrition is an important part of gastric cancer treatment and recovery.
Stomach cancer: How it affects the diet?
Symptoms of gastric cancer or stomach cancer do not usually appear in the early stages. However, as a symptom of stomach cancer, one can lose a lot of weight. A lack of appetite or feeling full before finishing a meal causes this. Other symptoms that may have an impact on the quality of dietary habits include:
- Pain and discomfort in the stomach
- Feeling sick and vomiting feeling.
- The passage of blood in the vomit or faeces.
- Heartburn
- Sleep deprivation
- Bloated stomach as a result of fluid accumulation
People with stomach cancer frequently experience difficulties eating and digesting meals. This is because of many reasons, such as:
- Cancer-related surgical removal of whole or part of the stomach.
- The removal or injury of secretory glands in the stomach can potentially impact food digestion.
- Any damage or loss of the sphincter muscles, which guard the entry and departure of food into the stomach, may have an impact on digestion and eating patterns.
- Cancer treatments may also change the taste of your mouth, influencing your diet.
Stomach cancer can affect your dietary habits, not just for the treatment duration but for the rest of your life too.
What to eat for stomach cancer?
Numerous research investigations have revealed that those who eat a Western diet are more likely to get stomach cancer. Individuals who followed a diet similar to the Prudent pattern were shown to have a lower risk of cancer. If you have stomach cancer, you should follow the following dietary habits:
- Avoid consuming animal products – Research indicates that red and processed meats containing nitrite food preservatives increase the risk of stomach cancer. Scientists have discovered that red meat contains significant amounts of heme-iron, which elevates the risk of stomach cancer.
- Consume more fruits and vegetables – Diets high in fruits and vegetables are useful in lowering the risk of stomach cancer. Consumption of citrus fruits, cruciferous vegetables, and high lycopene intakes or blood levels have been shown to have anti-cancer effects. This is due to higher levels of vitamins, antioxidants, flavonoids, and other nutrients.
- Whole grains – Consuming whole grains rather than processed grains that are high in fibre promotes gut motility and gastric emptying, keeping the digestive tract healthy.
- Reduce salty meals – Eating foods heavy in salt can harm the stomach mucosal lining and produce lesions, increasing the risk of stomach cancer.
- Maintain a healthy body weight – Many people lose weight as a result of stomach cancer, which can worsen an individual’s health if not treated. Overweight persons are also at a higher risk of being diagnosed with stomach cancer, according to research.
- Increased dietary selenium intake – Research suggests that selenium is like a bodyguard against stomach cancer. It protects the DNA, boosts the immune system, and fights cancer cells by tackling harmful substances in the body. Selenium is found in foods like brown rice, Brazil nuts, and macaroni.
- Low-dose vitamin supplements – Numerous research studies have provided solid evidence that people who use low-dose multivitamins have a lower risk of stomach cancer.
Just like any disease, cancer also comes with its own set of limitations and things to take care of. If you follow doctor’s orders, have strong will power – you can fight it!
Conclusion
More research is needed to determine the influence of food in gastric cancer. Despite the fact that several research studies have indicated that patients who consumed diets heavy in animal fat and protein, as well as nitrosamines, had a higher chance of developing stomach cancer than those who ingested a lot of vegetables, fruits, nuts, and dairy products.