Nutrition for Multiple Myeloma

Nutrition recommendations for cancer patients are different than recommendations for healthy patients. Cancer patients are often asked to completely change their nutrition habits during treatment. Nutrition for multiple myeloma patients focuses on keeping your body fueled with calories and protein. Side effects of treatments can make good nutrition a challenge. Proper nutrition can help you feel better and have more energy during treatments.

Features

• Multiple myeloma is cancer of your plasma cells. Plasma cells are a type of white blood cell and part of your immune system. Myeloma cells can collect in your bone marrow and in the solid parts of your bones. Multiple myeloma is more common in older patients and African Americans. This type of cancer is hard to cure. Treatment is used to help control the symptoms of the disease.

Signs and Symptoms

• Early signs of multiple myeloma include bone pain, broken bones, weakness, fatigue, weight loss and repeated infections. Since myeloma affects your white blood cells, you are more susceptible to infections and other illnesses. As the myeloma cells gather in your bones and bone marrow, your bones begin to weaken. Bone injuries are common in multiple myeloma patients.

Diet

• Multiple myeloma patients are encouraged to eat well and drink lots of fluids. Cancer treatments often cause patient to loose the desire to eat. Treatment can cause fatigue, mouth sores, nausea and vomiting. Patients should try to eat foods that are high in calories and protein. Eat foods like milk, cheese and eggs. Liquid nutritional drinks are common recommendation for cancer patients. Avoid foods that are high in fiber. Fiber can aggravate diarrhea and sores in the mouth.

Benefits

• High calorie foods will help prevent too much weight loss. Loosing too much weight can cause weakness and fatigue. Sudden weight loss can cause other health problems. Drastic weight loss is harmful to your heart and overall health. You need protein to maintain your strength. Cancer treatments harm healthy cells as well as cancer cells. Protein will help your body rebuild lost muscle tissue.

Considerations

• If you are having trouble eating or maintaining your weight see your doctor. Your doctor or a dietitian can help you design a meal plan that will meet your needs. Plan ahead and stock up on the foods that work best for you. Before treatment, buy easy to prepare foods. Cook foods that can be reheated ahead of time. Buy ready to eat items like liquid nutritional drinks. The easier it is for you to prepare food, the more likely you are to eat when your treatments have you feeling worn down.