Out of all cancers, lung cancer ranks as the second most common and causes the most cancer deaths in the U.S. A loss of appetite is common in cancer patients, especially among those undergoing chemotherapy. However, getting the nutrition that you need can help you to stay strong and retain energy. Below are some of the foods to add to your diet if you are a lung cancer patient.
Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables are essential to your diet and are rich in antioxidants. Some fruits and vegetables are referred to as healing foods, or natural chemotherapy. Antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables eliminate the chain reaction that produces free radicals in our bodies. Free radicals are caused by oxidation, which damages our cells. Green tea, garlic, onions, tomatoes, soy, broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage are high in antioxidants and should be part of your regular diet. Green tea contains many antioxidant chemicals and has 500 times the effect of vitamin C. Garlic and onions can help limit the production of cancer-causing chemicals. Tomatoes contain antioxidants called lycopene, which help prevent some types of cancer. Fruits such as watermelon and papaya also contain lycopene. Green, leafy vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage contain sulforaphane, which boosts production of Phase II Enzymes. These enzymes remove carcinogens from cells.
Healthy Fats
Bodies require healthy fat to function, so it is important to identify the good fats in order to include them in your diet. Healthy fats and oils help regulate the nervous system as well as blood pressure, heart rate, blood vessel constriction and blood clotting. They also have many other benefits, including carrying fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamins A, D, E and K from your food into your body. Healthy fats include olive oil, flaxseed oil and essential fatty acids such as Omega-3. Essential fatty acids aid in preventing cancer cell growth. Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in salmon, shrimp, walnuts and raw tofu, but they may also be taken in pill form.
Eating the proper foods and getting the proper nutrients is important to help fight lung cancer. All of the foods mentioned above should be included for a well-balanced diet. Consult your doctor before you start any diet or exercise.
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