"All foods are allowed": Nutrition for cancer patients

With a disease such as cancer, the question of the "right" diet always takes center stage for those affected. It plays an important role alongside the therapy. "Nutrition is often the only way for affected people to participate in the entire treatment process themselves," says Jelina Linder. She is a BSc SVDE nutritionist and therapist and supports patients at the ZIO. The topic of nutrition is also important for loved ones and relatives of cancer patients, as they can provide their loved ones with concrete support and guidance, she says.

Nutritional advice is primarily intended to help people with cancer to meet their nutritional needs and improve their quality of life. Individual advice and support is the best way to find out how the person concerned can achieve these goals with their diet.

Strengthen therapy, reduce side effects

Even though it is not a stand-alone form of therapy, nutritional advice is a very important element in holistic care and therapy. "Nutritional measures can have a significant impact on the success of cancer treatment and help to alleviate undesirable side effects," says Linder.

In addition, cancer and often also cancer therapy increases the need for nutrients. "The immune system is working at full speed. That's why the body needs more nutrients in most cases, especially more proteins," says the nutritionist. "If this additional requirement is not met, many sufferers lose weight and muscle mass. This has a negative impact on their well-being, but also on the success of their treatment." It is not uncommon for malnutrition to develop, which means that cancer treatment has to be interrupted.

There are no reliable general recommendations for nutrition in cancer. This is precisely why Jelina Linder advises people not only to find out about the topic online, but also to seek individual advice. The only motto that is important to Linder is: "All foods are allowed." It's always about quantity and frequency.

"It is always important to find out together with the patient what makes sense and is good for them. Both from a medical and a personal perspective."

Jelina Linder, nutritionist and nutritional therapist BSc SVDE

"You can't starve cancer"

The nutritionist repeatedly encounters the myth that sugar "feeds" cancer and therefore sugar should be avoided altogether. Recommendations on the internet range from avoiding granulated sugar to completely avoiding all carbohydrates, i.e. sugars such as starch, fructose or lactose.

"You can't starve cancer - not by fasting and also not by deliberately cutting out sugar," says Linder. On the contrary, it is not advisable to give up carbohydrates completely. "Strictly speaking, all body cells feed on sugar," she says. This is probably where this nutrition myth comes from. In other words, if you go without carbohydrates for a long time, you also starve the body's healthy cells. "But weakening the healthy body is obviously not what we want, especially in the case of cancer. Instead, we want to strengthen the healthy part." It is true that blood sugar levels are important. In the nutritional consultation at the ZIO, this is always scrutinized and optimized where possible. This optimization can also include fasting periods or a reduction in carbohydrates. However, this is also approached individually and sugar and carbohydrates are not completely eliminated.

Advice and dietary changes are also individualized. For many, three meals a day with wholesome carbohydrates, a high proportion of vegetables and a protein component are important. Depending on the clinical picture, stage, life circumstances and individual needs, snacks in between meals or intermittent fasting can also be useful. "It's always important to find out together with the patient what makes sense and is good for them. Both from a medical and a personal perspective." The feasibility of a change in diet in everyday life is also a relevant factor that is discussed during regular consultations. It is always important to look at the current quality of life. "We ask ourselves: what will help this individual person physically and mentally?" This integrative and holistic approach is very important to Jelina Linder in her work.

A completely new attitude to life

She was particularly touched by the story of a patient who, after the loss of his wife and with his own diagnosis, had to find his way in life and also come to terms with his diet. At the ZIO, he was undergoing oncological training therapy, which also includes regular nutritional advice. The patient underwent an impressive development. "The exercise and dietary adjustments gave him a completely new attitude to life," says Linder. Within six months, his quality of life improved enormously. "He was incredibly grateful for the support and expressed it. I will always remember his radiance."