Westchester Health Tips

Good nutrition is key to maintaining a healthy body, but bodies experiencing physical stress often require increased nutrient intake. Unfortunately, people under severe physical stress, such as people receiving chemotherapy or radiation therapy for cancer, frequently struggle with eating, which makes getting adequate nutrition difficult.

It is estimated that malnutrition and weight loss are contributing factors in one out of every five cancer-related deaths. Cancer patients have difficulty maintaining weight during their treatment for a number of reasons including side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and dry mouth.

Cancer treatments increase the body’s need for nutrients by speeding up metabolism and limiting nutrient absorption while at the same time making it difficult to swallow and changing the way food tastes. If a patient doesn’t take in enough calories, they are unable to maintain a healthy weight, which can lead to weakness and inability to fight their disease.

Typically, cancer patients need to consume about twice the protein and 10 percent more calories than a healthy person to maintain weight and nutrition during treatment cycles.

Hospitals and cancer treatment centers are taking steps to educate these patients by offering pre- through post-treatment nutrition counseling. The American Cancer Society also offers free nutrition advice for patients and caregivers through a toll-free phone service.

Health product manufacturers are doing their part to help cancer patients address their nutritional challenges, as well. For example, The Isopure Company, LLC, recently developed Isopure Plus Nutritional Drink, a clear, fruit-flavored, protein-based drink, to help cancer patients get the extra calories and protein they need to maintain proper nutrition before, during and after treatment.

Unlike most nutritional drinks, Isopure Plus Nutritional Drink isn’t thick or milky, and it goes down easy. It delivers 15 grams of rapidly absorbable, high-quality whey protein in a single 8-ounce serving and is free from fat, gluten and lactose (which may cause stomach upset in some people). It comes in two flavors, Alpine Punch and Grape Frost and is available at chain drug retailers, grocers, nutrition centers and through online outlets.

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