While stating that diet can "cure" lymphoma is somewhat of a misnomer, an effective dietary strategy can help you stack the odds in your favor against this brutal disease. While there is no one specific diet tailored strictly for fighting lymphoma, there are a number of proven dietary strategies that can help optimize your body's condition, drastically improving your chances of fighting off lymphoma.
Lymphoma and Diet
Lymphoma is a type of cancer that begins within the immune system, gradually spreading throughout the body. Unfortunately, lymphoma is the most common type of cancer affecting the blood in the United States. Your probability of developing lymphoma is partially related to your age--the risk increases between the ages of 16 and 34, and again when you pass 55. Diet is also related to your risk of developing lymphoma--those who eat excessive amounts of meat and saturated fats are at a higher risk, along with individuals who are obese.
Diet for Lymphoma
The American Cancer Society recommends optimizing your chances against lymphoma with strict adherence to a diet that is high in fruits, vegetables and whole grains, while correspondingly low in meat consumption, saturated fats and trans fats. Frequent meat consumption has been linked to the emergence and development of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, especially in women. Regardless of your gender, you should consider cutting back on your overall consumption of red meats such as beef, pork and lamb. Consume quality fruits and vegetables. Good choices include leafy green vegetables such as spinach and lettuce, along with cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower. Good sources of whole grains include oats, whole wheat items (breads and pastas) and brown rice.
Doctors at freemd.com recommend limiting fat intake to no more than 30 percent of your total daily calories while increasing your overall fiber intake to between 20 to 30 g daily. Eliminate consumption of alcohol while battling lymphoma, as alcohol increases your general risk factor for disease.
Do whatever is necessary to maintain your weight while battling lymphoma. Unplanned weight loss increases your risk of succumbing to the disease, so attempt to keep your caloric intake high, even if it means occasionally varying from the dietary principles outlined. Good ways to add additional calories to your diet include adding spoonfuls of powdered milk to your drinks, investing in a quality protein powder or snacking on calorie-dense foods like peanut butter or nuts.
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