Good nutrition is important for cancer patients.
Nutrition is a process in which food is taken in and used by the body for growth, to keep the body healthy, and to replace tissue. Good nutrition is important for good health. Eating the right kinds of foods before, during, and after cancer treatment can help the patient feel better and stay stronger. A healthy diet includes eating and drinking enough of the foods and liquids that have the important nutrients (vitamins, minerals, protein, carbohydrates, fat, and water) the body needs.
When the body does not get or cannot absorb the nutrients needed for health, it causes a condition called malnutrition or malnourishment.
Cancer can change the way the body uses food.
Some tumors make chemicals that change the way the body uses certain nutrients. The body's use of protein, carbohydrates, and fat may be affected, especially by tumors of the stomach or intestines. A patient may seem to be eating enough, but the body may not be able to absorb all the nutrients from the food.
Cancer and cancer treatments may affect nutrition.
Cancer and cancer treatments may affect taste, smell, appetite, and the ability to eat enough food or absorb the nutrients from food. This can cause malnutrition (a condition caused by a lack of key nutrients). Malnutrition can cause the patient to be weak, tired, and unable to fight infections or get through cancer treatment. Malnutrition may be made worse if the cancer grows or spreads. Eating too little protein and calories is a very common problem for cancer patients. Having enough protein and calories is important for healing, fighting infection, and having enough energy.
The goal of nutrition therapy for patients who have advanced cancer is to help with the patient's quality of life.
The goals of nutrition therapy for patients who have advanced cancer include the following:
- Control side effects
- Lower the risk of infection
- Keep up strength and energy
- Improve or maintain quality of life
At IHS we recognize these issues and consider them in the development of our supplement protocol for our clients with early, late and remissional cancers.
Lymes & Co-Infections
Lymes disease refers to the Borrellia Burgdorferi or Borrellia Stari bacteria that infects Deer, Pacific Black legged and Cone Star ticks.
Other Lymes infections include:
Ehrlichia & Anaplasmosis
These are some of the most common parasites and bacteria to infect the human body from a tick bite. When these are aquired together we call them co-infections. Currently there are more than 15 different tick born pathogens with new ones still being discovered continually. Unfortunately commercial test are not available for all tick borne diseases. This challenges new research and developement in alternative medicine to find new ways to mange undetected and unresponsive parasites and bacteria we call Lymes.
Chronic Pain & Illnesses
Our case load covers patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia to headaches, heart palpitations, and gerd.