Contents:
- Medical Video: Cancer Disappears With Water Fasting -Dr Alan Goldhamer
- Tips for fasting for cancer patients
- 1. Expand vegetables and fruit
- 2. Choose foods with a low glycemic index
- 3. Drink plenty of water at dawn
- 4. Get enough rest
- What should be avoided by cancer patients when fasting
- 1. Sweet foods and drinks
- 2. Avoid fried foods
Medical Video: Cancer Disappears With Water Fasting -Dr Alan Goldhamer
For cancer patients, chemotherapy or other treatment needs to be carried out in Ramadan. Even so, not a few cancer patients who still want to fast and carry out their religious obligations. Cancer patients may just join in fasting, with the condition that their health is stable. So, how to safely run fast for cancer patients? Here's the explanation.
Tips for fasting for cancer patients
Cancer patients who want to fast must consult and get a doctor's permission first. Because, cancer patients whose immune systems are unstable can be weakened if they force themselves to fast. Especially if cancer patients are experiencing side effects of chemotherapy, doctors will not recommend cancer patients to fast.
As soon as cancer sufferers are declared stable and do not experience any complications, they can only undergo fasting. Of course, this must remain under the supervision of the medical team that handles it.
The main thing that must be considered by cancer patients when fasting is nutritional fulfillment. Because when fasting, cancer patients will experience the same thing with healthy people in general, which is holding hunger and thirst for almost 13 hours.
This means that the body does not get the food intake or drink needed by cancer patients. Moreover, cancer patients are required to undergo treatment so that they need more nutrients.
To meet the nutritional needs of cancer patients while fasting, plan the right food menu with the help of doctors and nutritionists who handle patients. The following are tips for safely undergoing fasting for cancer patients.
1. Expand vegetables and fruit
Cancer patients who want to fast are recommended to multiply eating vegetables and fruits. The reason is, vegetables and fruits contain many vitamins and minerals that are useful to increase immunity in cancer patients, such as vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, and zinc.
The content of vitamins and minerals has antioxidant properties that can counteract free radicals in the body. Thus, normal body cells will be protected from the risk of cancer.
In order for fasting for cancer patients to become more fluent, complete the sahur menu and break the fast with carrots, broccoli, and tomatoes containing vitamin A and high vitamin C. After eating the main menu, don't forget to eat fruits such as avocados, apples, and pears that are good for cancer patients.
2. Choose foods with a low glycemic index
Foods with a low glycemic index value are good for cancer patients. Because the food with a low glycemic index value can make the cancer patient's body more stable and reduce the risk of cancer development.
A variety of foods with a low glycemic index include brown rice, whole wheat bread, or high-fiber wheat cereals. Consult further with a nutritionist to get advice on the right type of food for cancer patients during the fasting month.
3. Drink plenty of water at dawn
Meeting the needs of body fluids can help reduce the side effects of treatment in cancer patients, such as vomiting and diarrhea. If not enough fluid, cancer patients will easily dehydrate.
Therefore, cancer patients are encouraged to drink more water at dawn and iftar, at least eight glasses per day.By drinking lots of water, this will help increase protection of body cells from oxidative stress. As a result, fasting activity for cancer patients becomes more smooth and stable than cancer development.
4. Get enough rest
Cancer patients usually have difficulty sleeping or experience insomnia due to side effects of cancer treatment and stress on treatment. In fact, optimal sleep hours can strengthen the immune system in cancer patients.
That's why cancer patients are recommended to have enough rest when fasting. With enough sleep, the patient's body becomes more maximal to fight cancer and cancer treatment becomes more effective.
What should be avoided by cancer patients when fasting
1. Sweet foods and drinks
Glucose is one of the energy sources needed by body cells to carry out their functions normally.However, cancer cells can develop faster if you have excess glucose intake from sweet foods.
This is why sweet foods are not recommended for consumption during fasting for cancer patients. For example compote, syrup, and other sweet takjil.
If cancer patients want to eat compote, make a healthier compote without sugar and replace it with a natural flavor from the fruit, such as banana or pumpkin which is good for the health of the patient.
2. Avoid fried foods
Fried generally contains saturated fat which can trigger the growth of cancer cells. According to the American Cancer Society, foods that are high in saturated fat can increase the risk of cancer returning or even getting worse.
Therefore, avoid the types of foods that are fried during dawn and iftar. Choose safer cooking methods such as boiling or steaming to make it healthier. Thus, cancer patients can undergo fasting smoothly and safely.
