Contents
1. Unpasteurized Milk
Dairy milk is a wealthy supply of vitamins like calcium, protein, potassium, and B nutritional vitamins.
Most milk is pasteurized with warmth to kill the germs that trigger sicknesses. As a result of uncooked milk is unpasteurized, it will possibly carry micro organism like salmonella, E. coli, and listeria.
Unpasteurized milk (and juice) is particularly harmful for individuals with an immune system weakened by most cancers remedy. “There’s an enormous pattern with uncooked milk proper now,” says Carly Roop, RD, a medical dietitian specialist at Penn Drugs’s Abramson Most cancers Middle in Philadelphia. “We might not advocate uncooked milk since you might probably put your self in danger for [bacteria] like listeria.”
2. Grapefruit
Like different citrus fruits, grapefruit is an effective supply of vitamin C, potassium, and dietary fiber. It is a wholesome, low-fat option to meet your beneficial every day fruit allowance.
But each grapefruit and its juice can work together with many various medicines, together with some chemotherapy medication. That is why grapefruit is without doubt one of the meals to keep away from whereas on chemotherapy, says Roop.
3. Uncooked or Undercooked Meat, Poultry, Fish, and Eggs
Protein wants enhance throughout chemotherapy remedy, partially as a result of this nutrient is necessary for sustaining muscle mass and energy.
Lean meat, poultry, fish, and eggs are good protein sources, however they have to be cooked completely to kill germs like salmonella and E. coli. Keep away from uncommon meat till your physician provides you the okay.
Salmonella micro organism additionally hides in eggs, which have to be cooked right through, too. Do not eat them soft-boiled or over-easy. Additionally keep away from any meals that comprise uncooked eggs, reminiscent of unbaked cookie dough and cake batter, some Caesar salad dressings, and hollandaise sauce.
Maintain uncooked and incompletely cooked meals separated from cooked meals. You have to be conserving your cooking utensils separate for uncooked and cooked meals as nicely, to keep away from cross-contamination.
4. St. John’s Wort
St. John’s wort is an herb that some individuals take to handle melancholy, anxiousness, sleep issues, or menopause signs. Along with potential negative effects like headache and nausea, this complement could make chemotherapy medicines much less efficient.
That is as a result of St. John’s wort acts on enzymes that assist the physique break down and take away medication within the liver. Older analysis exhibits that it might trigger the liver to take away chemotherapy medication extra shortly than typical, making them much less efficient.
No newer analysis is accessible, as St. John’s wort is usually not beneficial by healthcare professionals, as it may be unsafe in a number of circumstances, reminiscent of when taking sure medicines.
If you happen to’ve been utilizing St. John’s wort, cease no less than one week earlier than beginning most cancers remedy. And do not start taking this complement throughout most cancers remedy with out your physician’s okay.
5. Sprouts
Any uncooked vegetables and fruit could also be problematic throughout most cancers remedy, as a result of they’ll carry infection-causing germs on their floor, says Lichtenstein. That is very true for alfalfa and bean sprouts. These meals develop in heat, moist circumstances, the place it is easy for micro organism like salmonella and E. coli to connect to them. Don’t eat sprouts, as they can’t be completely washed.
Different uncooked vegetables and fruit are protected so long as they’re completely washed underneath operating water. In case you have neutropenia, seek the advice of your physician for a specialised eating regimen plan, which could lower out all uncooked vegetables and fruit completely.
6. Unpasteurized Cheeses
Pasteurized cheeses like cheddar, Parmesan, and American are fit for human consumption throughout most cancers remedy (they need to say “pasteurized” on the bundle). Keep away from unpasteurized cheeses like these (typically delicate cheeses), which might carry micro organism:
- Brie
- Camembert
- Roquefort
- Bleu
- Gorgonzola
- Stilton
- Cotija
- Queso blanco fresca
7. Echinacea
Echinacea dietary supplements assist to spice up the immune system and deal with colds and flu. Whereas this herb is protected for wholesome individuals, it might trigger issues when used concurrently most cancers medicines. Echinacea blocks enzymes that break down chemotherapy medication, which might have an effect on the quantity of those medicines within the physique.
Goldenseal, ginseng, and kava are different dietary supplements to keep away from due to potential interactions with most cancers therapies, says Lichtenstein.
8. Sushi
Steer clear of each sushi and sashimi throughout chemotherapy remedy. Actually, any uncooked or undercooked fish and seafood (clams, mussels, oysters) can comprise micro organism that trigger norovirus, hepatitis A, and different critical sicknesses. Cooking fish and seafood completely earlier than you eat them will kill any dangerous germs.
9. Scorching Sauce
Chemotherapy typically causes irritation and painful sores contained in the mouth, referred to as mucositis. Consuming spicy meals irritates the sores. “For sufferers experiencing mucositis as a facet impact of their remedy, keep away from meals which might be spicy, acidic, sharp, or crunchy to forestall additional ache and discomfort,” Lichtenstein says.
10. Antioxidant Dietary supplements
Antioxidants like nutritional vitamins A, C, and E, and carotenoids shield wholesome cells from injury brought on by oxidative stress. Those self same mechanisms might additionally shield most cancers cells and make remedy much less efficient. “Antioxidant dietary supplements might intervene with the oxidative stress mechanism that some chemotherapy brokers depend on to destroy most cancers cells,” says Lichtenstein.
11. Ice Cream
Excessive sensitivity to chilly is a attainable facet impact of the chemotherapy drug oxaliplatin, which treats colorectal, pancreatic, abdomen, and esophageal cancers. Touching meals straight out of the fridge and freezer, or consuming or ingesting chilly meals and drinks could also be very uncomfortable.
“Have gloves by the fridge, let meals get to room temperature, and select heat drinks,” Roop suggests. Relying on the severity of the chilly sensitivity, you might wish to keep away from ice cream, milkshakes, and smoothies when you’re on chemotherapy.
12. Garlic Complement
Garlic has the potential to advertise cardiovascular well being and regulate the immune system. It has additionally proven some anti-cancer results.
However as a result of garlic dietary supplements can work together with enzymes that break down chemotherapy medication in your physique, it is best to keep away from them throughout remedy. You may nonetheless safely add garlic seasoning to your meals for taste, says Lichtenstein.
13. Deli Meat
Cease consuming deli meats like ham, liverwurst, salami, and bologna, which have been linked to listeria outbreaks.
Processed meats are also linked to a better danger of most cancers — another excuse to restrict your consumption, even after chemo therapies.
Consuming cheese that was sliced on the deli counter is not beneficial both, as a result of it may very well be cross-contaminated with germs from deli meats. It is safer to purchase prepackaged cheese.
The Takeaway
- Chemotherapy can weaken the immune system and enhance the chance for infections or issues. Eat solely pasteurized and well-cooked meals to keep away from foodborne sicknesses.
- Some vitamin and nutrient dietary supplements — reminiscent of St John’s wort, garlic, and nutritional vitamins A, C, and E — might work together with chemotherapy medication and make most cancers combating medication much less efficient.
- Get dietary recommendation from a healthcare skilled, and discuss to your oncologist, registered dietitian, or pharmacist for those who presently take any dietary supplements or wish to take them.
