Mesothelioma and Nutrition: What You Need to Know

After a mesothelioma diagnosis, patients and their families often search for things they can do and changes they can make to support the best possible outcomes. One of the most significant ways to support the health and wellbeing of mesothelioma patients (as well as the effectiveness of any treatment regimen) is also one of the most basic: diet and nutrition.

Why is Diet and Nutrition Important For Mesothelioma Patients?

Nutrition is fundamental to our well-being, and the body can use food to promote healing, tissue repair, and immune system health. This is especially important when dealing with a serious disease like mesothelioma.

Eating a nutritious diet can provide your body with the essential support it needs to deal with the stress of mesothelioma and mesothelioma treatment.

The right food can improve a patient’s quality of life and support the effectiveness of treatments while helping to mitigate side effects.

What is the Best Sort of Diet for Mesothelioma Patients?

There is no one set diet for mesothelioma patients, as each patient has specific nutritional needs as well as treatment and care goals. Always consult with your mesothelioma care team about the type of diet that will work best for you.

However, overall, mesothelioma patients usually benefit most from the following characteristics in a diet:

Eat Foods Low in Bad Fats, and High in Good Fats

Not all fats are created equal. Bodies need certain types of fats to absorb vitamins and minerals, maintain healthy cells, nerves, and muscles, and help with blood clotting and with inflammation—all of which is especially important for mesothelioma patients.

Monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats (including omega-3 fatty acid) are “good fats” that mesothelioma patients should incorporate into their diets. They usually come from plants and vegetables, nuts, seeds, and certain types of fish. Foods rich in good fats include:

Olive oil, which also has high levels of antioxidants and vitamin E.
Other non-hydrogenated oils, including peanut oil, canola oil, and high-oleic safflower and sunflower oils.
Avocados
Walnuts and Brazil nuts, as well as most other nuts.
Flaxseeds
Fatty fish, such as salmon and mackerel.
Shellfish

Fats to Avoid With Mesothelioma

Unless otherwise instructed by their mesothelioma care teams, patients should avoid trans fats and saturated fats. These fats can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and inflammation.

“Bad” fats are most commonly found in fried and fast food, shortening, red meats, animal fats, and hydrogenated vegetable oil.

Eat Lots of Lean Proteins

Protein is an essential nutrient that is needed by the body to maintain many crucial functions, such as metabolizing food into energy, circulating oxygen throughout the body, creating antibodies to strengthen the immune system, and both creating and protecting new, healthy cells.

It also helps mesothelioma patients undergoing treatment to keep on weight, which can be difficult due to the side effects of certain types of treatment.

Good sources of protein for mesothelioma patients include:

Fish
Poultry
Lean beef or pork (in moderation)
Eggs
Dairy products
Legumes, like beans, peas, or lentils
Tofu
Nuts and seeds
Turkey
Cooked eggs (any style)
Full-fat Greek yogurt
Cheese
Hummus
Avocados
Chickpeas
Peanut butter

Proteins to Avoid With Mesothelioma

In general, mesothelioma patients should try to avoid sources of protein with too much animal fat, such as non-lean red meat or bacon. They should also limit or avoid processed meats and cold cuts, which contain nitrates that can complicate lung health.

Nutrient Dense Fruits and Veggies

Fruits and vegetables should make up a significant portion of the diets of mesothelioma patients. There are several types of fruits and vegetables that are especially good for supporting the health of patients with lung cancers like mesothelioma, including:

Blueberries: Are a highly nutritious source of antioxidants called anthocyanins, which have been shown to protect lung tissue and may contribute to slowing the rate of decline in lung functioning.
Apples: Contain an antioxidant called quercetin as well as flavonoids and high rates of vitamin C, which may be linked with reduced rates of lung decline and protection against lung damage (especially in those who eat 5 or more apples per week).
Beets: Beetroot and beet greens are packed with vitamins and minerals that reduce blood pressure and help lung function and oxygenation. Beet greens have added potassium, magnesium, vitamin C, and carotenoid antioxidants, all of which lay a foundation for healthier lungs. Potassium also helps reduce water retention and improve digestion.
Leafy Greens: Bok choy, spinach, kale, and chard also provide carotenoids and other antioxidants, as well as iron, potassium, calcium, and other vitamins. Swiss chard is especially high in magnesium, which protects against inflammation and tends to relax the bronchioles—the small airways in your lungs—to facilitate easier breathing.
Pumpkins: Contain specialized carotenoids (specifically carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin) that are powerful antioxidants that help the body’s anti-inflammatory defenses, especially when it comes to the lungs.
Tomatoes: As a nutrient-dense food, tomatoes contain lycopene (a carotenoid associated with improved lung function and reduced airway inflammation), as well as potassium.
Peppers: Are one of the best sources of water-soluble vitamin C, and consuming just one medium-sized sweet red pepper can deliver over 150% of a person’s recommended minimum daily vitamin C intake. It’s especially important for patients with lung conditions like mesothelioma to maintain higher levels of vitamin C, which makes peppers a great addition to a mesothelioma patient’s diet.

Fruits and vegetables can provide unparalleled bang for your buck as far as nutrients go, so mesothelioma patients should incorporate as many fresh or frozen fruits and veggies into their diet as possible.

Many fruits and veggies are powerhouses of antioxidants, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, B Vitamins, Vitamin K, iron, potassium, fiber, manganese, thiamine, folate, and other nutrients that are essential for mesothelioma patients.

Balance Carbs and Sugars (and Avoid Sodium)

Choose complex carbs over simple carbs. Mesothelioma patients should get lots of fiber in their diets (around 20-30 grams per day), which is where complex carbohydrates can come in handy.

Dietary fiber can help regulate blood sugar and the digestive system, which can facilitate better oxygenation and overall functioning. Mesothelioma patients should opt for complex carbs like whole-grain bread and pasta over simple carbs like white bread, white table sugar, candy, cake, and non-diet soft drinks.

Simple carbs take more work to digest and therefore take more work for the lungs to metabolize them.

Mesothelioma patients usually benefit from a low-sodium diet. Sodium causes fluid retention, which can negatively affect lung functioning and breathing.

Many common items at the grocery store contain high levels of sodium, so be sure to read labels and try to opt for low-sodium versions of staple products, aiming for no more than 300 mg of sodium per serving.

Keep Your Calories Up Throughout the Day

Mesothelioma patients often have trouble eating, especially during treatment. Both cancer and chemotherapy can cause severe nausea and other unpleasant side effects, which can make people want to eat less or skip meals.

However, it is absolutely essential for mesothelioma patients to maintain their body weight—or to come as close as possible—during their treatment. In order for the body to be able to withstand treatment and heal, it has to be healthy, with reserves of muscle and healthy nerves. Consuming a sufficient number of daily calories is essential to keep your body in fighting shape.

Try to eat and drink continually throughout the day, having five to seven small meals or snacks rather than three large meals. Keep a beverage on-hand and try to encourage as much hydration as possible. This will keep your body steadily supplied with calories and nutrients.

You should also be ready to combat the unique issues that mesothelioma and other cancer patients face when attempting to eat. Patients often experience side effects in addition to nausea that may make it difficult to eat. Each of these need a work-around.

For example, taste often changes with chemotherapy, and foods may suddenly taste bitter or overly sweet. To combat this, add new spices or sauces, or combine foods into different textures until you find something new that tastes better. Add salt to food that tastes too sweet and sweeten suddenly bitter-tasting food with juices and nectars. You can also chew gum, suck on hard candy, and try sour or tart foods to kickstart your taste buds.

As always, it’s essential to consult your doctor about any changes you intend to make to your diet.

If you or a loved one is suffering from mesothelioma and have questions, call us at 855-385-9532, locally 502-589-5600, or contact us online to arrange a free initial consultation with a Satterley & Kelley PLLC lawyer.