Mesothelioma is a type of lung cancer that occurs in the pleural layer – a lining present between the lungs and chest cavity. It’s a disease mainly affecting males aged 60+ years, but it can also attack women and young adults. The cause of mesothelioma is long-term asbestos exposure, a toxic compound found in offices and routine objects used daily such as car parts, curtains, etc.
If you’re a mesothelioma patient, treatments are costly and leave you drained and exhausted. Luckily, if you eat the right foods, you can tackle some of the worst side effects of chemotherapies and radiation. Moreover, a proper mesothelioma diet is also necessary to contain cancer from spreading to nearby organs and prevent the growth of new tumors or cancer remission. Let’s go through some of the best foods for mesothelioma.
- Eggs: Eggs are rich in protein, making them super beneficial for people with lung-related ailments, especially mesothelioma. Especially hard-boiled eggs are rich in antioxidants that help against cancer aggravation. Avoid unrefrigerated eggs as they can have a detrimental effect on your health.
- Fish: Various types of fish contain abundant amounts of Vitamin D3, which is essential to reducing lung cancer cells’ growth. Add salmon, halibut, anchovies, mackerel, sardines, herring, and tuna to your mesothelioma diet.
- Chicken: lean meats like chicken because they are a far better option than beef or mutton. Ideally, it’s best to eat non-frozen or fresh chicken free from preservatives.
- Yogurt: Low-fat yogurt contains numerous essential compounds for lung health like calcium, potassium, and selenium. Scientists have discovered a link between probiotics and prebiotic compounds and reduced cancer risk. Yogurts contain probiotic agents as well that can prevent mesothelioma from getting worse.
- Berries: Strawberries and blueberries contain flavonoids that are notable antioxidants. Another compound called delphinidin is present in berries. It stops new tumor growth in blood vessels and can also prevent blood clots production, typical in patients with mesothelioma.
- Melon: Cantaloupe contains known anticancer agents such as beta carotene and antioxidants that help reduce damage to cells through oxidative reactions. Watermelons are also worthy fruits as they have protective effects against cancerous growth.
- Bananas: When you are in recovery, you might require extra fiber. Bananas are the perfect anticancer food for mesothelioma patients as they boost vitamins and many other energy-rich compounds in the body.
- Lemons: Studies show that people who take lemon or other related citrus juices have a considerably lower risk of cancer compared to those who don’t drink them at all. A teaspoon of lemon juice in water or a few droplets in your evening green tea can work wonders to treat mesothelioma tumors.
- Beet: It’s one of the best super-fruits with high anticancer powers that prevent the growth of new cancerous tumors in mesothelioma patients. You can either eat it raw, cooked, or consume beetroot juice.
- Turmeric: The curcumin compound in turmeric facilitates the effects of chemotherapy. Moreover, turmeric is a fantastic food for cancer cell growth, particularly in the lungs.
- Ginger: Many people undergoing mesothelioma treatment experience nausea and digestive stress signs. Ginger helps relieve these symptoms and offers you instant pain relief from intense chemotherapies. Eat it raw or add it to your cooked meals.
- Garlic: Garlic is one of the best herbs with immense cancer-fighting powers. Eat raw garlic regularly or cook your meals with crushed garlic to decrease the chances of lung infections that might worsen the mesothelioma symptoms.
- Aloe Vera: If you experience digestive distress such as constipation because of too many medications or post-chemotherapy, you might want to try aloe vera juice. It’s beneficial to keep your bowel movements smooth.
- Raw Honey: Mesothelioma patients should also consume raw honey regularly. It holes potential power against viral infections that often interfere with cancer treatments and worsen the symptoms. It also helps heal you better from intense diseases such as lung cancer.
- Black Seed Oil: Also known as oil from black cumin or Nigella Sativa, this extract contains thymoquinone, which shows superb anticancer properties against lung cancer growth. You can use this oil for cooking.
- Oregano Oil: Oregano oil is rich in carvacrol, which kills off cancer cells in the lungs and reduces the risk of mesothelioma tumors.
- Onion: Onions contain flavonoid quercetin which helps prevent your lungs from severe cancer damage. Add this food to your mesothelioma diet by eating it raw or cooked.
- Astragalus: You may not have heard of this incredible Chinese medicine herb. This magical plant holds anticancer agents that facilitate the effectiveness of lung cancer radiation and offer relief after these intense therapies. Many mesothelioma patients also experience improved quality of life.
- Mullein: Mullein tea is a popular drink to relieve extreme inflammation and irritation in the lungs or throat after a cough.
- Carrot Juice: Research shows that carrots reduce lung cancer risk by a whopping 42%! It would help if you drank carrot juice every day or ate this crunchy veggie raw to benefit from its anticancer properties.
- Papaya: Scientists often back up the incredible benefits of papaya to fight off lung cancer growth. Eat this useful superfood regularly to get maximum advantages of its anticancer agents.
- Flaxseeds: Flaxseeds are a miraculous gift by nature, packed with beneficial compounds that suppress the growth of lung cancer cells. They also help you breathe better because of shortness of breath – a symptom common in patients with mesothelioma.
- Thyme oil: Experts recommend applying thyme oil to main pressure points on wrists and neck to get rid of cancer cell growth in the lungs.
- Green Tea: A study showed that green tea helps cancerous cells stick together and remodel proteins in the affected lungs. As a result, mesothelioma treatment gets more accessible, and recovery is guaranteed.
- Reishi Mushrooms: These mushrooms contain specific polysaccharides known to improve immunity against cancer. They increase the growth of lymphocytes that help prevent the development of cancerous tumors.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know some of the best foods for mesothelioma add these fruits, vegetables, and other edibles to your daily diet to reduce the risk of lung cancer remission and fight the growth of new tumors. Many of these foods can help you deal with the painful side effects of radiation and the lack of energy after chemotherapies.