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Sunday, May 22, 2011

Diet Nutrition for Pancreatic Cancer

Overview

Responsible for food digestion and blood sugar control, the pancreas is an important part of the body's digestive system. When cancer invades the pancreas, the body often loses its ability to digest foods properly. As a result, pancreatic cancer patients often require a special diet to maintain proper nutrition.

Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer affects the body's pancreas, a small organ that plays a large role in digestion. Located deep within the abdomen, the pancreas sits between the stomach and the spine. From this position, the pancreas is able to secrete pancreatic fluid into the small intestine. After its release, pancreatic fluid helps digest foods that have been consumed. In cooperation with the small intestine's digestive juices, the pancreatic fluid breaks down proteins, carbohydrates and fats, along with neutralizing the highly acidic stomach acid. The pancreas also releases hormones that help control blood-sugar levels.

Risks to Nutrition

Because the pancreas is responsible for digesting foods, pancreatic cancer often affects the body's ability to absorb necessary nutrients from food. If nutrient absorption is affected for too long, the body could enter a state of malnutrition. Pancreatic cancer also affects the organ's ability to regulate blood-sugar levels, placing the body at a greater risk for developing diabetes. Additionally, as with many other types of cancer, pancreatic cancer and its associated treatments might cause nausea, decreased appetite, diarrhea and constipation.

Why It Matters

Maintaining proper nutrition while fighting pancreatic cancer is essential for the overall health and well-being of your body. Proper nutrition helps enhance the immune system, improve strength, rebuild body tissues and decrease your risk of developing dangerous infections. Even if you do not feel hungry, it is still important to fuel your body with high-calorie foods throughout the day.

Diet Tips

Before your cancer treatment begins, fill your kitchen with healthy foods. Once treatment starts, you might experience unusual fatigue and weakness, making grocery shopping and meal preparation difficult. If necessary, ask friends and family members to help you prepare meals throughout your treatment. If your appetite does not allow you to eat large meals, aim to eat several small meals throughout the day instead. If you simply cannot manage to eat many solid foods, use liquid meal replacements as a substitute.

Considerations

In severe cases of pancreatic cancer, all or part of the pancreas may need to be removed. As a result, your doctor will likely prescribe a specific diet to help you meet your body's nutritional needs. If your pancreas no longer secrets pancreatic fluids, you may need to take pancreatic enzymes by mouth before meals and snacks. If your body can no longer absorb nutrients from foods, vitamin supplementation may also be necessary.

Photo Credit

Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
Krista Sheehan

About this Author

Krista Sheehan has been a professional freelance writer since July 2009 and has been published in a variety of online sources, such as RxHealthQuotes. Her body of work focuses mainly on the subjects of health, fitness, food, event planning and traveling. She dabbled in creative writing and journalism while attending Bradley University.
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