Contents:
- Medical Video: Liver Cancer | Advancements in Treatment Options Q&A
- Carbohydrates (can be starch), sugar, and fiber
- Protein
- Be careful with fat
Medical Video: Liver Cancer | Advancements in Treatment Options Q&A
Because it damages the liver, cancer automatically blocks the liver from working optimally. You can restore the condition of the liver by preventing it from working harder than it should. This step can be realized through the right diet. Before you make a healthy diet plan, we will help you by sharing basic information about macronutrients and micronutrients.
Food contains 3 macronutrients which provide energy for the body to function optimally. The three macronutrients are carbohydrates, protein and fat.
Carbohydrates (can be starch), sugar, and fiber
Starch is a complex carbohydrate, while sugar is a simple carbohydrate that provides energy for the body. Fiber helps the intestines to get rid of waste products and helps reduce bad cholesterol levels.
Liver cancer patients are encouraged to eat foods that contain simple carbohydrates such as fruit. Why does it have to be fruit? Fruit contains sugar, fiber and other useful nutrients. In addition, consumption of fruits is a healthier way to satisfy your desire for sweets, in addition to getting the short-term energy your body needs.
Types of foods high in fiber and other nutrients, such as fruit, root vegetables, whole grains, beans, whole wheat bread and pasta, can help you maintain a better heart condition. Avoid consuming bad types of carbohydrates such as soda, candy, cakes, and white bread.
Basically, the body cannot digest fiber. Fiber actually passes through the body and helps regulate blood sugar, restrain hunger, and contribute to the health of many organs. There are two types of fiber, namely soluble fiber and insoluble fiber.
- Soluble fiber lowers blood glucose and blood cholesterol levels. You can find soluble fiber in oatmeal, beans, legumes, lentils, apples, oranges, flaxseeds, cucumbers, celery, carrots.
- Insoluble fiber certainly cannot dissolve in water. This fiber will pass through the digestive tract and make the stool softer. Foods that contain insoluble fiber are brown rice, barley, and wheat bran.
Protein
In your body, there are many proteins made in the liver. This protein is then released into the bloodstream when the body needs it. When suffering from liver cancer, patients will need longer time to recover damaged tissue, experience delays in liver regeneration, and are prone to muscle atrophy.
Animal and vegetable proteins are proteins that are important to you. Choose lean protein such as chicken or fish (not red meat) and beans. For the best results, food should not be fried. You can steam, bake, saute, or boil your lean protein ingredients with lots of herbs, spices, garlic, shallots, and vegetables. Remember! Avoid adding too much salt to the food.
Be careful with fat
Fat that accumulates in the liver will worsen the condition of the liver. Among the many types of fat, there are healthy fats and some are not.
- Saturated fat: Avoid this type of fat if you have liver cancer. Saturated fats can be found in red meat, poultry skin, and full fat dairy products.
- Trans fat: Trans fat reduces the amount of healthy cholesterol and actually increases bad cholesterol in the body. Make sure you check food labels that contain trans fat. Trans fats are commonly found in fried foods, bread, pasta, cakes and snacks.
- Monounsaturated fats: This type of fat is a healthy fat that can increase cholesterol and insulin levels. Monounsaturated fats can help control blood sugar. This fat is found in vegetable oils, seeds, nuts and avocados.
- Fat polyunsaturated: This fat can be found in vegetable oils, fish, seafood, and vegetable products. This fat is beneficial for the heart and reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes.
- Omega-6 fatty acids are found in grain oils such as canola, rapeseed, and cotton seeds. Some of these oils are used to fry food, which is not good for liver health.
- Omega-3 fatty acids may be the best type of fat for your heart. This fat can be found in several types of fish, such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, trout, sardines, and herring.
In essence, avoid fried foods, processed foods, and baked foods that contain saturated fats and trans fats. You are encouraged to start paying attention to food labels and a list of packaged foods.
The food you eat can affect your health. Consult with your doctor about the best diet that suits your medical condition. The easiest way to get the complete nutrition your body needs is to consume various types of food everyday.
