Nutritional advice for liver cancer patients

The liver is one of the organs involved in the process of digestion and absorption of nutrients. When the liver is damaged, liver function is severely reduced, affecting the metabolism.

Liver cancer patients often feel mentally and physically tired. This leads to loss of appetite and physical weakness. Over time, this can lead to weight loss and malnutrition in liver cancer patients.

Illustration

At this time, the diet for people with liver cancer needs to have all the necessary nutrients, prioritizing foods that help increase the effectiveness of cancer treatment and improve the immune system.

For example, patients who consume foods rich in antioxidants will improve their immune system and limit infections. Maintaining a balanced diet, prioritizing appropriate protein sources will also prevent muscle loss and muscle weakness in patients.

In addition, other health benefits of a liver cancer diet include providing enough energy for patients to stabilize their health.

Control appropriate weight, maintain good physical condition to optimize treatment methods. Improve mental health. Reduce the risk of secondary diseases such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, metastatic cancer...

Diet for liver cancer patients before treatment should be built according to nutritional principles as follows: patients need to eat well.

Balance the 3 main groups of nutrients including starch, protein and good fat. At the same time, add fiber, vitamins and other minerals to each meal.

Diversify your sources of fresh food. Do not eat strange foods or foods that your body cannot tolerate. Simplify your cooking methods, use few spices, and use basic spices.

Divide your meals into several small meals. Drink enough water and exercise daily.

Good foods for liver cancer patients according to Dr. Tran Thi Tra Phuong, Tam Anh General Hospital , Hanoi , include lean protein, fruits, whole grains, ginger, good fats, and filtered water.

Foods that are not good for health and liver function that people being treated for liver cancer should avoid include:

Foods high in salt: Overly salted processed foods, take-out foods, and canned/processed foods are all high in salt.

In addition, it also contains preservatives and other flavoring agents. All of these will adversely affect the liver, causing pressure and aggravating liver cell damage.

Alcohol: Alcoholic beverages are inherently harmful to the liver and other organs. Not only people with liver cancer, but healthy people should also not drink a lot of alcohol. This is a drink that people with liver cancer should absolutely avoid, regardless of the stage of treatment.

Foods high in sugar: Foods such as desserts, sweets, soft drinks, etc. contain a lot of refined sugar, along with preservatives that are not good for the liver. The energy provided by sweets is almost non-existent, so patients should not eat foods high in sugar while being treated for liver cancer.

In addition, after surgery, patients are still weak and easily affected by many external factors.

According to recommendations, people need to temporarily eliminate some foods related to changes in CLD oxygen demand index, which are life-threatening, including cruciferous vegetables; sweet potatoes, carrots, cauliflower, and fish mint.

Patients should discuss with their doctor about the diet for cancer patients after surgery to receive appropriate nutritional instructions.

The diet for liver cancer patients during treatment needs to ensure enough food to keep the general condition stable, while speeding up the body's self-recovery process. Because patients during chemotherapy will easily become exhausted due to the immune system being affected.

Due to weakness, patients often lose their appetite, however, it is necessary to maintain a minimum food intake of 50% of normal to ensure health, as well as ensure response to treatment.

Prioritize protein sources such as fish, chicken, milk, etc.; flexibly take in nutrients from food and drinks such as milk, yogurt, etc. to make the patient more comfortable when eating.

It should be noted that functional foods and vitamin supplements must be approved by a doctor before use.

Patients are encouraged to combine light exercise and moderate exercise to increase treatment effectiveness. Nutritional regimen for liver cancer patients after treatment

After treatment, patients should maintain the same cancer diet as during chemotherapy.

However, it is necessary to gradually return to the diet necessary for the body. Increase the variety in food choices to optimize metabolism and nutrient absorption.

Chemotherapy will damage the immune system, and the patient may experience some unwanted side effects.

In addition to rest, you can choose foods that help reduce post-treatment symptoms. Foods that help prevent side effects of chemotherapy include:

Ginger: Anti-nausea and anti-vomiting. Ginger can be made into ginger tea or added to main dishes. Ginger also helps relieve indigestion and bloating that often occurs after chemotherapy for cancer treatment.

Yogurt: This is a food rich in probiotics, which can help rebalance the internal microflora, enhance immunity, and limit digestive problems.

Fruits rich in vitamin C such as guava, grapefruit, orange: Help strengthen the immune system and resistance. Prevent or alleviate high fever after cancer treatment.

Antibacterial foods: Garlic, lemongrass, perilla leaves... are antibacterial foods, suitable for conditions of weakened immune systems due to chemical exposure. Adding these foods to your daily diet will help reduce the risk of infectious diseases.

Nutrition is one of the core factors to improve the quality of life after liver cancer treatment. The menu for liver cancer patients in the recovery stage does not need to be too restrictive, but must ensure that it meets the correct nutritional principles.

Diet for liver cancer patients during the recovery phase includes: Following nutritional principles for liver cancer patients.

Prioritize easily digestible foods and liquid foods to reduce pressure on the liver. Maintain a healthy weight, limit the risk of uncontrolled weight loss, and combine with moderate exercise to prevent cancer recurrence.

Do not drink alcohol. Regularly check your health to detect early signs of abnormalities and intervene promptly.

Have regular check-ups to check your recovery progress after liver cancer treatment. Also, consult your doctor about your diet.

Liver cancer treatment is a long-term regimen that greatly affects the patient's physical and mental health. Maintaining a nutritional regimen for liver cancer patients is essential to keep their overall health stable and ensure the effectiveness of the treatment.

Nutrition does not directly help fight liver cancer, but is a core factor in maintaining health, minimizing the risk of cancer in healthy people and reducing the severity of clinical symptoms and the level of damage in liver cancer patients.

The most important thing in treating liver cancer is to maintain a positive spirit, a suitable exercise plan and a scientific diet for liver cancer patients, thereby increasing the effectiveness of treatment.

Patients need to try to maintain a sufficient diet to provide energy for the body to repair damage and regenerate damaged liver cells.

At the same time, having the health to exercise, prevent prolonged physical weakness, affecting the quality of life. Diversifying foods in each meal not only increases appetite, reduces anorexia but also helps the body absorb nutrients better.

A proper diet for liver cancer patients contributes to increasing the effectiveness of treatment. However, to be able to set up a suitable menu, patients should discuss with a nutritionist and a treating physician.

Appropriate nutrition for liver cancer patients will help patients build a good foundation for overall health, supplement enough energy, maintain an optimistic spirit, and not be affected much by the side effects of chemotherapy.

Source: https://baodautu.vn/loi-khuyen-dinh-duong-cho-benh-nhan-ung-thu-gan-d229722.html