MEDICAL BLOGS:NUTRITION AND PROPER DIET FOR CANCER PATIENTS (Part -1)

The importance of proper balanced diet cannot be over emphasized as Cancer itself and the side effects of treatment directed against cancer both affect ones appetite.

Proper diet while one undergoes treatment is important for:

·      Retaining ones strength and energy.

·      Maintaining weight and body’s store of nutrients.

·      Ability to better tolerate treatment and the the side effects

·      Proper healing and faster recovery.

·      Lowering the risk for infection.

PROTEINS:

                                               

Proteins are required for growth, to repair body tissue and to have a healthy immune system. Cancer patients therefore need more proteins in their diet.

·      When the body doesn’t get enough protein, it might break down muscle for the fuel it needs.

·      Good sources of protein include fish, chicken, lean red meat, eggs, low-fat dairy products, nuts and nut butters, dried beans, peas and lentils, and soy foods.

FATS:
                                                          

Fats and oils are made of fatty acids and serve as a rich source of energy for the body.The body breaks down fats and uses them to store energy, insulate body tissues, and transport some types of vitamins through the blood. Prefer monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats more often than saturated fats or trans fats.
Carbohydrates are the body’s major source of energy for physical activity and proper organ function.
Water and liquids or fluids are vital to health. All body cells need water to function. If you don’t take in enough fluids or if you lose fluids through vomiting or diarrhea, you can become dehydrated (your body doesn’t have as much fluid as it should).
Antioxidants include vitamins A, C, and E; selenium and zinc; and some enzymes that absorb and attach to free radicals, preventing them from attacking normal cells. If you want to take in more antioxidants, health experts recommend eating a variety of fruits and vegetables, which are good sources of antioxidants. Taking large doses of antioxidant supplements or vitamin-enhanced foods or liquids is usually not recommended while getting chemo or radiation therapy. Talk with your doctor to find out the best time to take antioxidant supplements.
Phytonutrients or phytochemicals are plant compounds like carotenoids, lycopene, resveratrol, and phytosterols that are thought to have health-protecting qualities.
Herbs have been used to treat disease for hundreds of years, with mixed results. Many of these products are harmless and safe to use, but others can cause harmful side effects. Some may even interfere with proven cancer treatments, including chemo, radiation therapy, and recovery from surgery. If you’re interested in using products containing herbs, talk about it with your oncologist. Tell your cancer care team about any over-the-counter products or supplements you‘re using or are thinking about using.
For instance, eat breakfast foods for dinner if they appeal to you.

·      Monounsaturated fats are found mainly in vegetable oils like olive, canola, and peanut oils.

·      Polyunsaturated fats are found mainly in vegetable oils like safflower, sunflower, corn, and flax seed. They are also the main fats found in seafood.

·      Saturated fats are mainly found in animal sources like meat and poultry, whole or reduced-fat milk, cheese, and butter. Some vegetable oils like coconut, palm kernel oil, and palm oil are saturated.

·      Less than 10% of your calories should come from saturated fat.

·      Trans-fatty acids are formed when vegetable oils are processed into solids, such as margarine.

·      Sources of trans fats include snack foods and baked goods made with partially hydrogenated vegetable oil or vegetable shortening.

·      Trans fats are also found naturally in some animal products, like dairy products. Avoid trans fats as much as you can.

CARBOHYDRATES

                                         

·      The best sources of carbohydrates – fruits, vegetables, and whole grains – also supply needed vitamins and minerals, fiber, and phytonutrients to the body’s cells. (Phytonutrients are chemicals in plant-based foods that we don’t need to live, but that might promote health.)

·      Whole grains or foods made from them contain all the essential parts and naturally occurring nutrients of the entire grain seed. Whole grains are found in cereals, breads, flours, brown rice & barley.

·      Fiber is the part of plant foods that the body can’t digest. There are 2 types of fiber.

·      Insoluble fiber helps to move food waste out of the body quickly, and soluble fiber binds with water in the stool to help keep stool soft.

·      Other sources of carbohydrates include bread, potatoes, rice, spaghetti, pasta, cereals, corn, peas, and beans.

WATER

VITAMINS & MINERALS
                                                                

Most are found naturally in foods. They help the body use the energy (calories) found in foods. A person who eats a balanced diet with enough calories and protein usually gets plenty of vitamins and minerals. But it can be hard to eat a balanced diet when you’re being treated for cancer, especially if you have treatment side effects that last for a long time. In this case, your doctor or dietitian may suggest a daily multivitamin and mineral .

·      Some people with cancer take large amounts of vitamins, minerals, and other dietary supplements to try to boost their immune system or even destroy cancer cells.

·      But some of these substances can be harmful, especially when taken in large doses.

·      In fact, large doses of some vitamins and minerals may make chemotherapy and radiation therapy less effective.

·      If your oncologist says it’s OK for you to take a vitamin during treatment, it may be best to choose a supplement with no more than 100% of the Daily Value (DV) of vitamins and minerals and one without iron (unless your doctor thinks you need iron).

ANTI OXIDANTS

PHYTO-NUTRIENTS

                                                      

·      They’re found in plants such as fruits and vegetables, or things made from plants, like tofu or tea.

·      They are best taken in by eating the foods that contain them rather than taking supplements or pills.

HERBS

WHAT TO EAT & HOW TO EAT:

Don’t be afraid to try new foods. Some things you may never have liked before may taste good during treatment.

·      Choose different plant-based foods. Try eating beans and peas instead of meat at a few meals each week.

·      Try to eat at least 2½ cups of fruits and vegetables a day, including citrus fruits and dark-green and deep-yellow vegetables.

·      Colorful vegetables and fruits and plant-based foods contain many natural health-promoting substances.

·      Limit high-fat foods, especially those from animal sources.

·      Choose lower-fat milk and dairy products.

·      Reduce the amount of fat in your meals by choosing a lower-fat cooking method like baking.

·      Try to stay at a healthy weight, and stay physically active. Small weight changes during treatment are normal.

·      Limit the amount of salt-cured, smoked, and pickled foods you eat.

·      During cancer treatment your body often needs extra calories and protein to help you maintain your weight and heal as quickly as possible.

·      If you’re losing weight, snacks can help you meet those needs.

·      During treatment you may have to rely on snacks that are less healthy sources of calories to meet your needs.

·      Keep in mind that this is just for a short while – once side effects go away you can return to a healthier diet.

·      Eat several small snacks throughout the day, rather than 3 large meals.

·      Eat your favorite foods at any time of the day. 

·      Eat your biggest meal when you feel hungriest. For example, if you are most hungry in the morning, make breakfast your biggest meal.

·      Try to eat high-calorie, high-protein foods at each meal and snack.

·      Exercise lightly or take a walk before meals to increase your appetite.

·      Drink most of your fluids between meals instead of with meals. Drinking fluid with meals can make you feel too full.

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THE IDEAL DIET FOR CANCER PATIENTS

An ideal diet plan can be the key to any treatment. A well planned diet is very important as the treatments often result in side-effects like nausea and the taste changes leading to a loss of appetite. So, the choice food should be suitable to the body and should not cause any adverse effects. One should not have too many dietary restrictions.

A good diet for a cancer patient contains a mix of vegetables and meat with lot of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals. They should strictly avoidextremely sweet and oily foods.

Ideal cooking methods for them should be steaming, boiling, and stir-frying. Don’t do any deep frying, grilling, barbequing and baking items.

A balanced diet should be of

·        1. Proteins (which helps to build tissues, prevents infection, heal wounds and helps to maintain a healthy immune system);

·        2. Carbohydrates and Fats (helps in gaining energy - removes weakness);

·        3. Vitamins and Minerals (helps for proper growth, body functioning) and;

·        4. Have plenty of Water and Liquids to avoid dehydration.

Foods to Include In Your Diet:

These are some of the food which should be included in the diet of patients and help them overcome the pain with a strong body.

Proteins:

• Lean meat, fish, poultry, and eggs.

• Dairy products, nuts, dried beans, dhal and chickpeas.

• Fish and soy(especially for prostate cancer).

   

Carbohydrates: 

• Rice, chapatti, wholegrain bread,healthy pasta and noodles.

• Potatoes, oats, wholegrain crackers,corn, beansand dairy products.

• Honey (should be consumed in limited quantity so that its anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties will possibly help in preventing infections).

   

  

Vegetables:

• Carrots, peas, tomatoes, pumpkin and turnips (vitamins and fibre).

• Parsley (especially good for prostate cancer), tomatoes and tomato puree.

• Cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli and cabbage contain certain chemicals that will help to convert bad oestrogen into good oestrogen, and hence diminish cancer risk as well as the risk of deterioration.

• Asparagus and Brussels sprouts for detoxification.

• Bitter gourd (helps in lowering the blood sugar levels).

• Green leafy vegetables (calcium and iron).

   

Fruits:

• Oranges (vitamin C).

• Bananas, mangoes, kiwi, peaches, pears and strawberries (vitamins and fibre).

• Guava, apricots,avocadoes, figs, prunes and raisins (helps in regaining energy).

    

   

Foods to avoid:

• Grilled, barbequed, deep fried, baked meats (since exposing animal protein to high heat creates carcinogenic by-products called heterocyclic amines and causes damage to system).

• Excessive consumption of sugar, saltand extreme oily foods.

• Red meat and processed meats such as ham, sausages, bacon.

• Preserved foods like pickles, kiamchye (salted mustard green), jams and century eggs (contains nitrites which are carcinogenic).

• Minimise alcohol consumption.

   

Furthermore, patients must avoid unbalancedconsumption of vitamin supplementsas they act as antioxidants and may hinder with chemotherapy treatment when taken in large doses.

Thanks for reading and please keep visiting our blog to discover and appreciate more Yoddhas. 
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Author- Yamini Koneti

Giloy herb: A possible cancer cure!

Tinosporacordifolia, which is known by the common names Heart-leaved Moonseed, Guduchi and Giloy in the tropical areas of India, Myanmar and Sri Lanka.

Giloy is one of the most important herbs to exist in Ayurveda. It is also known as Indian Tinospora or (Giloya/Guduchi) in Hindi. It is used for a variety of purposes, especially when it comes to treating diseases. “Guduchi” is known for its immense application in the treatment of various diseases in the traditional ayurvedic literature .Giloy is anti-arthritic, anti periodic, anti pyretic , digestive, anti inflammatory , blood purifier and has number of uses.

Giloyis very helpful in building up the immune system and the body's defense against infecting organisms. In a scientific study conducted using human WBC (white blood corpuscles), the Ayurvedic herb helps in enhancing the killing ability of macrophages (the resistant cells which are responsible for fighting foreign bodies as well as microorganisms).

How Giloy Is Used Along With Several Diseases?

There are a lot of researches going on Giloyworldwide because of its healing properties and benefits in healthcare. The Giloy creeper which grows on Neem tree is said to posses more medicinal values than growing on its own because Neem itself being bitter in taste and having excellent blood cleansing properties, it enhances the efficacy of Giloy in Cancer and other blood disorders.

 Important Uses of Giloy and Benefits of Tinosporacordifolia:

1. The stem juice or stem powder of the twine is used for many types of Cancers. It is known as immuno-modulatory herb. It helps the immune system to understand the cancer cells and control them. Giloysatv or the herbal extract of tinosporacordifolia is also used.

2. The cancer responds very well to Guduchi powder or GuduchiSatva. The latest research of GiloySatva on Cancer proved that the effects were similar or better than the modern chemotherapy drug – doxrubicin.

Other uses of guduchiare :

1. Cancers

2. Arthritis

3. Gout

4. Inflammatory conditions

5. Fevers of Unknown origin, chronic fevers, low grade fevers, unexplained weakness and tiredness 6. Liver diseases – liver cancer, hepatitis,jaundice

7. Skin diseases­ very effective in Psoriasis, Eczema,Ringworm, Lichen planus, acne,

8. Auto­immune disorders – Nephrotic syndrome, Rheumatoid arthritis, Ankylosing spondylitis

9. Low Immunity – Blood cancers,Malignant tumors, low immunity conditions.
10. Blood pressure

11. Giloy can be used along with castor oil to relieve gout.
12. It can be used along with ginger to treat rheumatoid arthritis.
13. Giloy is used with sugar to treat skin and liver related diseases.
14. It is also used with ghee to treat arthritis.
15. Giloy is used with jaggery for treating constipation.

1.Blood Cancer:

Consuming a concoction prepared by blending an aloe Vera leaf with wheatgrass and Giloy stem proves effective in the treatment of blood cancer and reduces the painful side effects of chemotherapy.

2. Boosts Immunity:

Giloy has ability to boost immunity. It acts as a rejuvenating agent too. Giloy contains antioxidant properties that improve health and fight dangerous diseases. Giloy also removes toxins from both the kidneys and the liver and makes sure to flush out free radicals. In addition to all this, Giloy even fights bacteria that cause disease and also combats liver diseases and urinary tract infections.

3. Treats Chronic Fever:

Another benefit of Giloy is that it treats chronic fever and diseases. Since it is anti-pyretic in nature, it can reduce signs and symptoms of several life threatening conditions. It increases the count of your blood platelets and alleviates symptoms of dengue fever as well

4. Boosts Digestion:

Giloy can also take care of your digestive system. This Giloy herb is popularly known for treating ailments of several kinds. In fact, you can use this simple remedy at home in order to maximize the results. Take half a gram of Giloy powder along with some amla regularly. Giloy juice can also be taken along with buttermilk in order to maximize the results. This remedy can be used for patients suffering from piles as well. Giloy relaxes the mind and prevents indigestion

5. Diabetes:

If you suffer from diabetes, Giloy would definitely be effective for you. Giloy acts as a hypoglycaemic agent. It can lower the levels of blood pressure and lipids. This makes it very easy to treat type 2 diabetes. Diabetic patients can also take Giloy juice in order to reduce high levels of blood sugar.

6. Herb:

Giloycan reduce both mental stress as well as anxiety. Giloy is often combined with other herbs to make an excellent health tonic. It will boost memory and help you pay attention at work . It can clear all brain toxins too. Giloy has often been called an anti-aging herb.

7. Asthma:

Asthma causes chest tightness, shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing etc. It is very difficult to treat such a condition. Giloyhas often been used by experts to treat asthma patients.

8. Gouty Arthritis:

Giloycontains anti-flammatory as well as anti-arthritic properties that take care of arthritis and its several symptoms, including joint pains.

9. Eye Disorders:

Giloy can also be used to treat eye disorders. It boosts clarity and helps you see better without spectacles. In some parts of India, people do apply Giloy to the eyes. Just boil some of it in water, let it cool down and apply all over the eye lid.

11. Reduces Signs Of Aging:

Giloy can also be used to treat signs of aging. It contains anti-aging properties that reduce dark spots, pimples, fine lines and wrinkles. It keeps your skin bright, young and beautiful.

Is Giloy Safe For Kids?

Giloy is safe for children who are aged five years and above. However, doses shouldn’t be given for more than one to two weeks.

Giloy in Cancer treatment:

This wonderful Ayurvedic herb helps in raising the efficiency of protective WBC (white blood cells) and builds up the body's own protection mechanism known as immune system. It is used as an immunity booster in certain ailments like jaundice, hepatic fibrosis and seasonal fevers. Giloy has proved very effective in preventing fibrous changes and promoting regeneration of the liver. It is a very good and helpful diuretic agent that helps removing renal stones and reducing urea from the blood. Giloy has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic, and anti-allergic actions.

Causes of cancer and Treatment Prevention of Cancer with Giloy:

Cancer starts with the damage in your DNA. DNA tells your cells how to grow and divide. Normal cells also suffer damage in their DNA but either they are able to repair themselves or they die. But there are certain damages that cannot be repaired. This causes the cells to grow and such cells become cancerous. The mutations also increase the life of the affected cells and they live beyond their normal life span. This causes the accumulation of the cancerous cells.

Many studies have now established that about 80 to 90 percent of cancer in humans is caused due to environmental factors. Some of the important factors contributing to cancer are smoking, infectious diseases, diet, chemicals and presence of radiation near the places of our residence or work.

 Giloy is an Indian herb which has been used since ages by the masters of Ayurveda for the treatment of various diseases including cancer. It is said to increase the life of the human beings by preventing the body from many disease. It is antihelminthic, anti periodic, anti arthritic, blood purifier, anti pyretic, digestive, carminative and expectorant. It gives strength to the heart and is an excellent diuretic. 

Recent studies have confirmed that the fresh juice of the plant is very beneficial in the treatment and prevention of cancer. The important chemical compounds found in the plant are tinosporin, palmarin, tinosporon, tinosporol, perberillin, berberine and heptaconsoltinosporic acid. The fresh stem bark contains giloinin, giloin and gilosterol. But recently phenolic lignin and hypoglycemia agent have also been isolated from the plant. The above bio active phytochemicals have been found to have ability to prevent various diseases including cancer and other immunological disorders.

Based on the historical evidence of the use of Giloy or Tinospora in the treatment of various diseases including cancer and in the light of the recent researches many studies have been done to verify the claim that the fresh plant juice cures and prevents cancer including the liver cancer.

Though more scientific studies are required but the studies so far have revealed the anti cancer and radio protective activities of the herb. The encouraging results only support the wisdom of the ancient masters of Ayurveda. 

It is used in cancer prevention, cancer treatment support, high cholesterol and liver protection. It is used as strong anti-aging factor. It has been used to treat convalescence from severe illness, arthritis, food allergies and anemia. According to some herbalists, Tinospora has adaptogen effects, a term that indicates it helps the body to adopt to stress. In children it is used in general debility, digestive disturbance, loss of appetite and fever.Giloy is popular for its role in cancer and even many trials are going on for its immunomodulatory capacity in treatment of AIDS patients.

How to use Giloy in Cancer­:

Taking 500 mg to 1000 mg dosage, twice daily in case of cancers. In case of blood impurities, skin diseases, gout, the dosage can be 500 mg twice daily Buy 200 gram Giloy sat and make 400 equal dosages and wrap them in paper to make sachets. Each sachet will contain about 500 mg powder. Consume 1 sachet twice daily or 2 sachets twice daily.

In recent years many Indian herbs that have been used since long for various medicinal purposes, have received considerable attention and various scientific studies have been made on them. These medicinal herbal plants contain many phytochemicals like vitamins, terpenoids, carotenoids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, alkaloids, enzyms and minerals etc. All these phytochemicals have antioxidant properties which help in the treatment of many diseases including cancer.

Giloy is one such medicinal plant which helps in the treatment of cancer, perhaps the most important genetic diseases.

Thanks for reading and please keep visiting our blog to discover and appreciate more Yoddhas. 
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Author- Akshay Shaligram

Choosing the Right Hospital

When you know that you are diagnosed with Cancer you need to get the best possible medical treatment. Every patient has a dilemma in choosing a hospital and doctor. This is the most important decision that has to made. There are Hundreds of hospitals hospitals in India, but how to decide which one ?

Here are some suggestions given by the members of  Yoddhas patient support group-

About 80% of the patients agree that the primary aspect should be considered is the doctors of the Hospital.

But, How can one know the doctor is good enough of any specific hospital?

Stay away from doctors who hide facts and avoid questions. Best doctor is one & only preference who can take any bold decision if needed. The doctor should be easy to approach and must have full knowledge about your treatment every time you visit.

The success rate ,reputation and experience of the doctor should also be considered.

Choosing a Good Hospital

It is important that the hospital is equipped with modern and advance technology. The administration and the nursing staff is also a deciding factor.

It is always a good choice to select a hospital which that has experience in treating your type of Cancer. Most big and reputed hospitals have more experience with different kinds of cancer and offer more services to the patient.

The following hospitals are shortlisted based upon the positive reviews given by the patients –

Tata Memorial Hospital

Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Hospital

Medanta Medicity Hospital, Gurgaon

Prince Aly Khan Hospital

Omega Hospitals ,Hyderabad

Christian Medical College & Hospital ,Vellore

Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital ,Pune

BLK Super Speciality Hospital

Shirdi Sai Baba Cancer Hospital

Apollo Hospital, Bangalore

Fortis S.L. Raheja Hospital, Mumbai

Army Hospital Research & Referral

All India Institute of Medical Sciences Delhi

 Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research

 Omega Hospitals

Max Hospital, Saket

Manipal hospital, Bangalore

Apollo Gleneagles Hospitals,Kolkata

Basavatarakam Indo-American Cancer Hospital and Research Institute

 Ruby Hall Clinic, Pune, India

 Indraprastha Apollo Hospital,Newdelhi

Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital , Mumbai

Action Cancer Hospital ,New Delhi

Yashoda hospital . Secunderabad

Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital pune

Narayana Healthcity

Max Hospital Patparganj

Cmc Vellore, Tamil Nadu

Jehangir Hospital, Pune

Fortis Hospital, B.G Road, Bangalore

Hinduja Hospital ,Mumbai

Mahaveer cancer and research center,Jaipur

Saifi Hospital,Mumbai

Leelavati Hospital, Mumbai

Nanavati hospital

Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta

Kailash Cancer Hospital Muni Seva Ashram,Gujarat

Fortis Hospital,Gurgaon

Hinduja Hospital

INS Ashwani,Mumbai

Sahyadri Hospital,Pune

Inlaks & Budhrani Hospital

Rashtra Sant Tukdoji Regional Cancer Hospital & Research Centre, Nagpur

Arthemis Hospital ,Gurgaon

Aditya Birla Memorial Hospital (ABMH)

Dharamshila Hospital and Research Centre

Yashoda Hospital, Ghaziabad

Appolo Hospital

Disclaimer:                                                                                        

The above information was extracted based upon the reviews given by the Patients of Yoddhas support community.Please take your choice wisely.

Thanks for reading and please keep visiting our blog to discover and appreciate more Yoddhas. 
Feel free to contact the Yoddhas team at team@yoddhas.com 

Lastly,

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Cheers!

 Author- Akshith Vijay Kumar