Can You Treat Stomach Cancer By Changing Your Diet?
The stomach is the most common type of cancer that starts when healthy cells become abnormal and grow out of control. It is also referred to as gastric cancer. According to a report from the National Cancer Registry Programme in 2021, stomach cancer affects 3.4% of people in overall gastric cancer. Diet and lifestyle factors play a vital role in the treatment and prevention of stomach cancer. Following a diet plan during stomach cancer prevention and treatment can help you manage side effects.
Let’s discuss the diet plan to follow during stomach cancer prevention and treatment.
What To Eat During Stomach Cancer?
Stomach cancer is common and nutrition during stomach cancer is essential to fight against this disease. The following are some best foods for stomach cancer that aid in the fight against this cancer.
1. Eat more fruits and vegetables: Eating fresh and colorful fruits, and vegetables can help reduce the incidence of stomach cancer because they contain vitamins, antioxidants, flavonoids, and other minerals. It aids in the scavenging of cancer-causing (carcinogens) substances.
2. Quercetin-rich foods: Quercetin is a plant pigment (flavonoid) that improves intestinal barrier function, reduces inflammation, and protects the host from disease. Hence, consuming foods high in quercetin, such as apples, cherries, onions, broccoli, and citrus fruits, helps prevent stomach cancer.
3. Vitamin A, C, and E-rich foods: Eat lots of vitamin E-rich foods like almonds and spinach and obtain vitamin A from fresh carrots and sweet potatoes. Consuming vitamin C-rich foods helps to prevent stomach cancer, as it is rich in flavonoids. Citrus fruits like tomatoes, oranges, lemons, berries, tangerines, and grapefruit are rich in vitamin C. Grapefruit and its juices have to be taken with caution while taking some medication, consult your doctor because it produces harmful impacts.
4. Allicin-rich foods: Allicin contains organosulphur compounds, which are very effective against stomach cancer. It may assist in modifying the risk of cancer and slow down or prevent the development of stomach cancer. The best source of allicin is garlic, and it is also found in onions.
5. Choose Protein-rich foods: Eggs, peanut butter, dried peas and beans, almonds, pistachios, walnuts, cashew nuts, soy foods, and low-fat dairy products, including milk, yogurt, and cheese, are excellent sources of Protein. These protein-rich foods are given to stomach cancer patients because they help the body repair cells and tissues. It also aids in the recovery of your immune system after illness.
6. Higher intakes of dietary selenium: Selenium has anti-cancer properties because it can reduce DNA damage. Additionally, it strengthens your immune system and destroys cancer cells by scavenging excess free radicals and protecting the cells from harm. Brown rice, Brazil nuts, and macaroni are good sources of selenium.
7. Increase calorie intake: Stomach cancer can cause a significant loss in body weight. So concentrate on increasing body weight by consuming high-calorie foods.
8. Take vitamins and minerals: Getting sufficient amounts of vitamins and minerals is a common concern for stomach cancer patients. This could happen as a result of surgery where all or a portion of the stomach is removed, which makes it difficult to eat. Your healthcare provider may recommend taking calcium, iron, folate, vitamin B12, and other vitamin and mineral supplements.
9. Include whole grains in diet: Consume whole grains instead of processed grains, which are high in fiber. It promotes intestinal motility and gastric emptying, keeping the digestive system healthy. Oatmeal, whole wheat bread, brown rice, and whole grain pasta are good sources of whole grains.
10. Maintain a healthy weight: A healthy body weight is important for keeping your body strong and healthy. Many people lose weight as a result of stomach cancer which could harm a person’s health. So it is essential to maintain body weight through physical activity and regular exercise.
11. Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water and fluids throughout your cancer treatment. It aids your body in eliminating toxins and prevents dehydration. It is recommended to consume 2 liters or more of water or fluid each day.
Foods To Limit Or Avoid During Stomach Cancer
1. Cut down salty foods: Consuming foods with a higher salt content can harm the stomach mucosal lining and result in lesions, which increases the risk of stomach cancer. So avoid intake of more salt.
2. Limit Coffee consumption: There is no evidence that drinking coffee increases the stomach cancer risk. However, drinking a lot of coffee on a regular basis might irritate the stomach and induce acid reflux.
3. Avoid alcohol consumption: Try to limit your alcohol consumption and try to avoid it altogether. Alcohol can weaken your immune system, cause dehydration, and irritate your stomach. However, it does not provide any nourishing nutrients.
4. Avoid red or processed meat: A high intake of red or processed meat increases the risk of getting stomach cancer because it contains nitrites, which can produce carcinogenic chemicals in the body. Reduce your consumption of red and processed meats and replace them with other protein sources such as eggs, fish, shellfish, tofu, tempeh, and legumes.
Eat Right, Be Healthy And Live Well
Stomach cancer can affect our health, and the side effects of the treatment can worsen the patient’s physical and mental health. Changing the right diet can help you to treat and prevent stomach cancer. This can be accomplished by eating a diet high in nutrient-dense foods, a healthy plant based diet, reducing your intake of fats, salts, caffeine, and alcohol, and exercising regularly. With the assistance of your dietician, create a diet plan to prevent cancer. Eat right, and stay positive and strong throughout the treatment which is essential for a speedy recovery.
‘‘Stay Fit, Eat Healthy, Get Wealthy’’
