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Good nutrition
strengthens the body's defenses and can result in a quicker
recovery period. Researchers have found that people who eat
well during their treatment, especially those whose diets
are high in protein and calories, are better able to tolerate
side effects. A good diet helps to promote healing and maintains
strength, prevents body tissue from breaking down and rebuilds
those normal cells that have been affected by the cancer treatment.
When someone
is ill their appetite often decreases, whether the illness
is an injured ankle or a cancer-related disease. The body's
need for high calorie and high protein food is altered because
of a decrease in activity, exercise, and a change in how the
body metabolizes nutrients. The diet that is promoted to
prevent cancer, such as a low-fat high-fiber diet may not
be a desirable diet during radiation therapy treatments.
This is a time to nourish the body with all the nutrients
needed to stay strong and fight the disease.
The number
one nutrient needed is calories, and a major source of concentrated
calories is fats. Each of these terms, calories and fats,
has a bad name but they will be crucial in combating a decreasing
appetite or other problems affecting eating. No one food
can supply all the nutrients each day. Vitamins and minerals
are central dietary nutrients to your diet. The nutritonist
will help to activate, regulate and control many of the functions
that take place in the body.
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