Lung Cancer and Nutrition

Cancer is complicated. Once you are diagnosed, you are told the specific type you have — and there can be many. Lung cancer is usually broken down into two categories: non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), which is the most common type, and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Once the type has been established, treatment options follow.

As you begin your journey of recovery, it is extremely important not to overlook diet. Most of us have no idea how powerful the food we eat can be. As part of our treatment, we need to shift our thinking away from food as simply enjoyment and fulfilment and consider it on a larger scale. Food needs to be part of the plan of attack — remember, food is medicine.

What to know about lung cancer and nutrition

It helps to understand first that different cancers respond differently to the dietary changes you make. The ketogenic diet, for example, has been successful with many lung cancer patients, though it can be restrictive and difficult to follow. It is also worth remembering that every cancer cell behaves differently. With some lung cancers, avoiding sugar is unfortunately not enough on its own. Cancer is smart: it can develop and evolve, and it will find alternative sources to feed on once glucose is removed from the diet. Some lung cancers, for instance, can switch to glutamine — a protein — and continue to use it to grow.

Foods and habits to avoid

The following are habits and foods that every patient should give up once they have been diagnosed with lung cancer. By avoiding them, you can help slow the growth of the disease and set yourself on the road to a quicker, longer-lasting recovery:

• Smoking
• Alcohol
• Red meat
• Dairy
• Processed meats
• Meats that are non-organic or non-grass-fed
• Processed foods

Foods to include

There are many healthy foods that will support your wellbeing and your recovery from lung cancer. As with most cancers, whole, homemade foods are always your best bet, with plenty of vegetables and plant-based proteins. The following have been scientifically shown to help with lung cancer:

• Green vegetables, which are high in phytonutrients that help slow the progression of lung tumours.
• Green and white tea, which create apoptosis in non-small cell lung cancer.
• Dietary fibre from plant-based foods, which can lower inflammation in the body and slow tumour growth in lung cancer. Dark-coloured vegetables are a good source — beetroot, carrots, collard greens, spinach and Swiss chard.
• Ginger, which is anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-proliferative, and an important ally in helping the body fight cancer.
• Seaweed, which has antitumour properties.
• Cinnamon, which helps to repress the growth of cancer cells.

As with any cancer, it is well worth looking closely at your diet and deciding what you can do to improve it. It is one of the surest ways to gain momentum in your recovery.