Myths and realities of nutrition in cancer patients.

Hello dear friends of the Steemit community.

In this opportunity I am going to tell you about the myths and the realities inherent in feeding cancer patients.

While it is true that both patients and family to learn of the diagnosis immediately are a series of questions, among the most frequent is, what I ate that hurt me ?, What should I eat and should not eat now ?.

We also know that the Internet becomes the first reference on your illness, sometimes it takes you to a path that can be very useful and at other times totally full of myths that can affect you in a negative way until you get to cause obsession, anguish, anxiety.

We can not fail to mention some important aspects regarding cancer treatments, whether chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or brachytherapy, any of these causes undesirable adverse effects that can be intensified with inadequate nutrition.
Generally the oncological patient during medical treatments can be: Anorexic (symptom that describes lack of appetite), asthenic (weakness, fatigue, exhaustion), and may have adynamia (decreased physical activity due to muscle weakness), caused by medications that lowers the normal defenses of the body, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, if the patient for having a bad information is not fed with the right nutrients, or simply obvious from his diet what he believes is bad can take him to a state of gravity that is not appropriate.

We are in a world of basic, simple, empirical overinformation, which patients often prefer to follow, this is easier to understand and act accordingly. For cultural reasons we are often waiting for the miraculous food that heals everything, and we are afraid of scientific explanations due to psychological instinct.

The first thing they have to know is that there is no miraculous food that can be scientifically proven.
Science is a practical method to find answers, it is not infallible and that is why it constantly reviews its results and approaches. For all that I have said, we must base our decisions on scientific evidence rather than on anything.
So dear readers of Steemit because scientific knowledge is provisional, and on food there is much to investigate, as long as doctors do not tell us otherwise of the foods that are consumed, do not give up on consuming a safe, sufficient, balanced diet , sustainable, pleasant and practical.

Let's talk about the foods that are within the Myths group, I will try to be the simplest and simplest when explaining them.
Red and processed meats
Perhaps these are the most mystified, many patients tend to eliminate them completely from their diet because of the close relationship they have with colon rectal cancer. In fact, according to epidemiological studies carried out in Argentina by the IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer), they classify processed meat as carcinogenic, and red meat as probable carcinogen. However, there is no scientific consensus that recommends removing them completely from the diet, proteins are necessary for the growth and development of body tissue as well as to maintain optimal immune system, as they are rich in B vitamins, zinc, iron, so necessary to recover from the side effects of therapies to the patient with cancer.
That recommend, eat them only twice a week moderately.

Dairy products.
The origin of this myth may be due to the alleged relationship of dairy fats with breast cancer.
Recent studies indicate that dairy products such as milk, yogurt or cheeses are not associated with an increased risk of any type of cancer, on the contrary they are necessary to avoid cancer due to calcium, vitamin D and lactoferrin. they contain.
In conclusion, unless the patient presents obesity, or other pathology associated or not cancer can consume yogurt every day, low salt cheeses and fat, and skim milk to avoid saturated fat that if they harm any organism .

Sugar.
It is believed that cancer cells eat sugar, there is no scientific evidence about it, however, glucose is necessary to conserve energy in the systems, so moderate consumption will not cause any cancer. it is completely eliminated from the diet, we could cause nutritional deficiency and cellular damage to the organism, loss of muscle mass, and possible malnutrition.
What is recommended is to limit foods with added sugar such as soft drinks, sweets, etc.

Chocolate.

It is related as bad for food because of its high content of fats and sugars.
Both in laboratory studies and in humans it has been shown that dark chocolate is beneficial for health, producing many benefits in the cardiovascular system, attacks oxidative stress, causes pleasure by releasing serotonin.
Recommendations to consume dark chocolate moderately.

Generally these are the three myths most commented by cancer patients.

General recommendations of what cancer patients should eat.
Patients with cancer should follow the recommendations of their doctor and nutritionist, eat a variety of foods that allow your diet to be balanced, it is necessary that you consume:

Proteins
Carbohydrates
Suitable fats
Vitamins and minerals (fruits, vegetables, vegetables).
Water
Keeping all these foods in your diet will allow you to:

Feel better, because they have a high level of energy.
Tolerate side effects related to the treatment.
Reduce the risk of possible infections.
Heal more quickly

References:
http://ico.gencat.cat/web/.content/minisite/ico/ciutadans/documents/arxius/Mitos-y-crecias-sobre-la-alimentacion-durante-el-tratamiento-del-cancer.pdf
https://www.cancer.org/es/tratamiento/supervivencia-durante-y-despues-del-tratamiento/bienestar-durante-el-tratamiento/nutricion/nutricion-durante-el-tratamiento.html
Internet images.