Introduction:
Cancer is a type of tumour that is formed by the abnormal growth of diseases carried by damaged cells, which can potentially spread to other parts of the body and vital organs. Unlike healthy and normally functioning cells that grow, divide and die in an orderly manner, cancer cells evade and interfere with the natural process of this healthy cell generation, which in turn destroys the tissues of healthy organs surrounding the damaged cells because of metastasis. Metastasis is a process in which the cancer cells can spread to distant parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems, forming new tumours in other organs. Cancers can be caused through a lot of factors such as genetics, environmental factors, toxic UV rays from the sun, poor diet and lifestyle choices, excessive tobacco usage, smoking and alcohol consumption. Cancer has different types of stages and affects different types of organs. If left untreated for long periods of time, it can become dangerous and deadly even with treatment. While cancer for some people is inevitable, especially for those with genetic causes, it is up to them to take precautionary steps for their health to lower their risk of getting it, and it can be stopped in its stages with regular health checkups to keep things at bay before it becomes worse and spreads to vital organs.
High Protein Intake:
When it comes to cancer care and recovery, the cure to speedy cancer recovery is more than just external treatments and procedures. While your body is working overtime to heal, repair, and rebuild in the fight against the disease, it tends to use up all the nutrients in your body to accelerate your recovery, which leads to reduced nutrient absorption and retention. During this crucial time, it is challenging for your body to maintain adequate levels of nutrients as a result of malnutrition. That’s where protein comes in as a silent yet powerful ally. High-protein oral nutritional supplements (ONS) have emerged as an effective way to help patients regain strength, recover faster, and stay nourished through the journey by increasing nutrient absorption and retention.
What Research Says:
A recent systematic review and meta-analysis researched the real-world effects of high-protein ONS (providing at least 20% of total energy from protein) across 29 randomised controlled trials involving 2,279 cancer patients. The chosen patients suffer from a wide range of cancers, from gastrointestinal and liver to breast, lung, and head and neck cancers. On average, the patients consumed around 35 grams of protein per day through the high-protein ONS supplements for different periods of time ranging from five days to a full year. Interestingly, about half of the formulations were also enriched with omega-3 fatty acids, known for their anti-inflammatory and immune-supporting properties. The results of the research analysis yielded positive results. The patients who included high-protein foods in their diet observed and experienced the following:
38% reduction in health complications among 101 cases per 1000 patients. These health complications were reduced even without the inclusion of omega-3 fatty acid in the diet. This huge improvement happened solely because of increasing the protein intake.
With omega-3 consumption paired with a protein-rich diet, there were 80 fewer complications per 1,000. Without omega-3 consumption, there were 153 fewer per 1,000. Patients also left the hospital sooner due to their speedy recovery. It's safe to say from the results and analytical processing, the research went well.
Importance of Protein in Cancer Care:
Protein plays a significant role in supporting the recovery of your tissues and cells. It is one of the most important nutrients that contributes to your body’s nutrient absorption during this crucial time when your body uses up all the nutrients while battling cancer. During cancer treatment, protein helps with:
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Effective Repair of Tissues: High-protein intakes help with the recovery of the tissues that were damaged due to surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation.
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Supports Immunity: Helps boost immunity so your body can fight any infections and inflammations that might occur due to cancer treatments.
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Preserves Muscle Mass: Muscle mass can decrease due to prolonged hospital stays and cancer treatments. Protein content in food prevents your body from losing excessive amounts of muscle mass.
Essentially, protein helps the body maintain its strength, sustain energy, and bounce back faster. When the protein is combined with omega-3 fatty acids, it adds an anti-inflammatory edge that can support healing even further.
The Solution Differs:
In spite of the positive results noted during the study, there were also a few downsides and gaps observed in the study. While incorporating high-protein supplements in the diet might seem like a one-size-fits-all solution, it won’t be suitable or effective for all types of cancer. Compliance with supplements also varied from 40% to 90%, showing that more personalised and patient-friendly approaches are needed for different types of cancer, the organ affected and the intensity of the symptoms, so patients can reap maximum benefits faster. Future research and studies should take the initiative to focus on larger, well-structured trials that tailor protein supplementation to individual needs and cancer types. However, one message is clear, adequate protein intake plays a crucial role in improving outcomes and reducing recovery-related complications, even if it might not completely cure cancer, it might help reduce the impact it has on vital organs.
Conclusion:
Cancer recovery isn’t just about medicine; it’s about overall nourishment of your body, mind and health. High-protein oral nutritional supplements might make a significant difference in maintaining strength and supporting healing, especially when the body is most vulnerable. Whether enriched with omega-3s or taken as part of a balanced diet, protein is one of the most powerful tools in the fight for recovery, helping patients not just survive, but truly rebuild from within.
