11/30/2024 Saturday Helpful Inspiration of Seriousness - Protein is Basic & Important
This AM I chatted with someone with cancer. I hope this information helps him and maybe others as well.
11/30/2024 Saturday Helpful Inspiration of Seriousness - Protein is Basic & Important
Early this morning I was reading Substack notes and there was one that really caught my eye- someone battling cancer. Of course, this is private but I have decided to share some information that may help this person or others. My husband had cancer and he has now been cancer free for over 15 years. I did take charge of his nutrition and yes to support his immune system. My intent is to just help others with possible information and potential questions for their health professionals.
Ask your Dr to consider pre albumin tests and other tests
The prealbumin blood test helps your doctor determine if you’re getting enough nutrients -- namely, protein -- in your diet. It is done in your doctor’s office with the simple taking of a sample of your blood.
Below is a very simple list that can be individualized to help someone you love. I did this successfully with many people and always with knowledge and permission of their Drs.
Suggestions:
Keep a daily written record of everything you eat and how you felt after you ate them.
Learn to read labels and focus on how much protein is in everything you eat. Total the protein amounts daily. Ask your Dr how much protein to eat as your goal.
Set up for grocery and medication delivery as needed.
Think about easy meals to prepare- consider slow cooker meals - like a roast and vegetables.
My husband improved his albumin levels and was better able to tolerate his cancer treatments. Everyone has different likes- he liked eating nuts and also had peanut butter on a cracker a couple times daily. Before we were married, he just ate foods from fast food or out of machines. He gave those things up and made the commitment to add protein every hour or 2 daily. He also ate fresh fruit and veggies. He ate Greek yogurt and cheese. He switched to organic and no longer warmed food in plastic containers. His lab tests and especially his albumin levels improved.
So these are just ideas to consider.
See below for some resources that you may find helpful:
Abstract
Nutrition is a critical determinant of immune responses and malnutrition the most common cause of immunodeficiency worldwide. Protein-energy malnutrition is associated with a significant impairment of cell-mediated immunity, phagocyte function, complement system, secretory immunoglobulin A antibody concentrations, and cytokine production. Deficiency of single nutrients also results in altered immune responses: this is observed even when the deficiency state is relatively mild. Of the micronutrients, zinc; selenium; iron; copper; vitamins A, C, E, and B-6; and folic acid have important influences on immune responses. Overnutrition and obesity also reduce immunity. Low-birth-weight infants have a prolonged impairment of cell-mediated immunity that can be partly restored by providing extra amounts of dietary zinc. In the elderly, impaired immunity can be enhanced by modest amounts of a combination of micronutrients. These findings have considerable practical and public health significance.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9250133/
So, How Much Protein Should We All Be Eating?
The recommended dietary intake (RDI) of protein is approximately 46 grams a day for the average woman and 56 grams for the average man, according to Harvard Health Publishing.
These recommendations are based on a formula: 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight (or 0.36 grams per pound), so you can calculate your personal RDI based on your specific weight.
https://www.livestrong.com/article/13725962-protein-and-immune-system/
Cancer is caused by genetic changes leading to uncontrolled cell growth and tumor formation. The basic cause of sporadic (non-familial) cancers is DNA damage and genomic instability.[1][2] A minority of cancers are due to inherited genetic mutations.[3] Most cancers are related to environmental, lifestyle, or behavioral exposures.[4] Cancer is generally not contagious in humans, though it can be caused by oncoviruses and cancer bacteria. The term "environmental", as used by cancer researchers, refers to everything outside the body that interacts with humans.[5] The environment is not limited to the biophysical environment(e.g. exposure to factors such as air pollution or sunlight), but also includes lifestyle and behavioral factors.[6]
Cancer prevention is the practice of taking active measures to decrease the incidence of cancer and mortality.[1][2] The practice of prevention depends on both individual efforts to improve lifestyle and seek preventive screening, and socioeconomic or public policyr elated to cancer prevention.[3]Globalized cancer prevention is regarded as a critical objective due to its applicability to large populations, reducing long term effects of cancer by promoting proactive health practices and behaviors, and its perceived cost-effectiveness and viability for all socioeconomic classes.[2]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cancer_prevention
This is a difficult time of year as December 1 is the anniversary of my daughter’s death in 2005. This AM, I was just reading Substack as my husband deeply slept beside me. I read an article about a man with cancer and as a long experienced RN who was also pre-med and a biology degree- I left working ICUs and swift home health as I was able to help many by helping the change their habits as part of Dr approved home health plans. I often found persons living alone and with food prep and shopping difficulties. Yes some got free food deliveries of donated food- OK - Let’s just say poor quality. I will add references but what I have observed and how I coordinated with the Drs was I requested lab tests for protein levels- I never had a Dr that refused to order the additional testing. Now, I will say, that I was never wrong by requesting a protein levels- OK Drs, if an experienced nurse requests this- please order!
Now, I will say that I often taught non- cooking persons how to use a slow cooker. These meals were high protein and freezable into portions. One favorite was a chuck roast with mushroom soup and dry onion mix mixed together. Another was having them purchase hard- boiled eggs already made. Another was almond or peanut butter. Often many persons have trouble affording nutritional supplements but we were able to find in expensive foods that were easy to prepare and person liked. We made a plan that suited the person and they were often so used to not eating- we had to do one small thing every hour or two/ one egg, one tablespoon almond or peanut butter on a cracker. Appetites returned after about 10 days and we kept adding proteins and fruits and veggies and even protein type desserts- like custard. or puddings. Yes, there was often improvement. Yes, there were some that were better able to tolerate chemotherapy or other treatments.
I hope this straight-forward information helps someone!
Please refer your friends
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