Why Protein Supplementation is Important for Cancer Patients

by Jim Duffy

Protein supplementation is important for cancer patients for several reasons, though the most important is connected with appetite. People with any form of malignant condition tend to eat less. This means that what they do eat should have the highest possible nutritional content. The four most important forms of nutrition are:

Carbohydrates

These can be converted to glucose and then to the energy required for your vital functions, such as breathing, digestion, and circulation. You don't need energy only for exercise or moving around, but also to stay alive. Your metabolism uses a lot of energy while the body is at rest, and carbohydrates are essential for everybody, especially if you have some form of malignant condition.

Vitamins

Vitamins are essential for life; hence the Latin prefix vita which is translates to life. Without a supply of essential vitamins your vital processes, including your immune system, would gradually shut down. Fortunately, there are supplements that can be taken to compensate for any deficiency in your diet.

Minerals

Minerals are also essential components of your body's biochemistry. In order for your body to work properly you also need minerals such as calcium and a good supply of trace elements such as chromium and vanadium. This is true whether you are a cancer patient or not. Many vitamins cannot do their jobs without minerals to help them.

Amino Acids

Amino acids are the building blocks of life. They form the proteins that enable organic life to exist, they are involved in every life process and bodily structure, and they form the molecules of life: DNA. Amino acids are available in your diet and come in the form of proteins which your digestive system breaks down into the amino acids you need.

Protein supplementation then becomes beneficial because concentrated protein supplements provide the proteins necessary to generate all the amino acids you need, both when undergoing radiation and chemo therapies, and when recovering. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy can cause nausea and make you very sick. This ruins your appetite, so that is why it is important for the food you do consume to have a higher nutritional content.

Concentrated protein supplementation will provide you with the amino acids you need to maintain your body's biochemistry. Amino acids are the building blocks for enzymes, proteins, and DNA, which all are essential for organic life- plant and animal. Without amino acids there would be no life - at least not as we know it on earth. By taking protein supplements cancer patients have a better chance of recovery because they have a higher nutritional intake which provides the ability to maintain their strength and withstand their treatment and condition.

If you suffer from any form of malignant tumor, you should take a concentrated protein supplementation because doing so will enable you to receive necessary vitamins and minerals while still allowing you to consume carbohydrates needed to provide the energy for your life processes. A protein supplement in a concentrated form is easier to take, will provide less nausea, and will aid you both in your treatment and your subsequent recovery.

NOTE: It is important that cancer patients inform their doctors or physicians of any form of protein supplementation they are taking.

About the Author:

Protica Research (Protica, Inc.) specializes in the development of Capsulized Foods. Protica manufactures Profect, IsoMetric, Pediagro, Fruitasia and over 100 other brands, including Medicare-approved, whey protein drinks for renal care patients.