Cancer pain, cancer depression and the side effects of cancer treatments such as nausea and loss of appetite contribute to cancer malnutrition. Overcome the emotional, psychological and mental aspects of cancer that contribute to your cancer weight loss.

Severe malnutrition changes body and mind

According to the National Cancer Institute, an astounding 20-40% of Cancer patients die from Cancer related malnutrition and not from the cancer itselfclick here.

In fact, malnutrition is very common amongst Cancer patients, affecting between 31% and 87% of patients.

Anorexia is the most common cause of malnutrition in cancer patients. Some may develop Anorexia soon after diagnosis but Anorexia can also occur later when the tumour grows and spreads.

In severe cases, malnutrition can progress to Cachexia, a specific form of malnutrition characterised by loss of lean body mass, muscle wasting and impaired immune, physical and mental function.

The current scientific consensus is that cancer Cachexia results primarily from an underlying metabolic imbalance induced by the Cancer which causes the body’s metabolism to speed up. The malignancy generates the production of low grade inflammatory molecules that break down lean muscle and can disrupt immune functioning.

Cancer can cause great changes in how the body metabolises protein, carbohydrates and fat. This in itself can be a major cause in the reduction of lean body mass – mostly muscle.

Cancer Cachexia is also associated with poor response to therapy, increased susceptibility to treatment related side effects, as well as poor outcomes, quality of life and reduced survival.

A recent study has shown that Cancer patients who are malnourished experience significantly greater levels of Psychological distress than those who are adequately nourishedclick here.

What contributes to cancer malnutrition?

It is not just severe cancer malnutrition that can impact your health. Even relatively small degrees of under-nourishment are associated with a markedly increased risk in hospital admissions and death.

It is certainly not unusual to lose your appetite...

... and certain drugs and treatments may make you nauseous, too tired to eat, or may even change your sense of taste. One cause that is overlooked is tumour location. Head and neck tumours can impact upon swallowing whilst gastro-intestinal tumours can affect the digestion and absorption of food.

Some supplements can harm cancer patients

Cancer malnutrition is a complex subject and recently has received more focused research attention. Some anti-inflammatory and appetite stimulating drugs are used with limited success. Some food supplements such as fish oils are thought to help people with Cachexia.

However, research into other supplements such as antioxidants, vitamins and minerals show their efficacy to be mixed at best and damaging at worst.

For many people, the taking of antioxidants, vitamins and supplements is considered “par for the course” and that these products fill the gaps in their diets and thus improve their health.

A new review of studies found no evidence that the nutritional supplements extend life. Worse, the review suggests that some antioxidants, including Vitamin A, E and Beta-carotene could increase the risk of deathclick here. A systematic review of the effects of antioxidants on Cancer suggests mixed resultsclick here.

Overall, antioxidant supplements did not reduce the risk of Cancer.

Beta-carotene supplementation was actually found to increase the rate of smoking related Cancers as well as Cancer mortality. The authors say that Beta-carotene should be avoided, especially by smokers. Vitamin E appeared to have no beneficial or harmful effects. Selenium was found to lower the risk of Cancer in men and not women, but the numbers of trials were few and more evidence is required.

More recently it has been shown that neither Vitamin C nor E is associated with a reduced rate of Prostate Cancer, or other Cancers click here.

Folic Acid supplements have been linked to a higher rate of Prostate Cancerclick here. Even natural products need to be used with caution. Green tea, praised for its health benefits has been shown in a recent study to interfere with the therapeutic action of the drug “Velcade”, which is used to treat Multiple Myeloma and Mantle Cell Lymphoma, rendering it completely ineffective in treating Cancerclick here.

The authors strongly advise that patients undergoing treatment with “Velcade” must avoid green tea and in particular all of its concentrated products that are readily available from health food stores. (The same authors are studying the effect of Green Tea on another well established Chemotherapy drug. So far they have seen an encouraging beneficial outcome which is more in line with the common expectation).

It is important to check the compatibility of complementary treatments and supplements with your medical treatments, no matter how well established their benefits are believed to be. What can be beneficial in the treatment of one cancer may be detrimental to the treatment of another.

Testing for malnutrition

There are tests available for malnutrition.

For example a programme called the “Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST)”, which is available from GPs and other healthcare professionals.

Current professional advice recommends a “healthy balanced diet” and a qualified Dietician can help you fine tune your nutritional needs.

Change your life today … Live, don’t just survive

At The Naked Gene Juggler, we believe that there are a number of steps that you can take to alleviate some of the causes of malnutrition.

Simply dealing with your side effects, particularly nausea and loss of appetite, pain, depression and psychological distress can go a long way to helping your metabolism and immune system function.

Take the opportunity to be the director of your own life

Ready to make a change?

To find out more and book your initial constulation, visit our consultancy sitetoday.