How To Regain Immunity After Chemo

Chemotherapy is intended to kill cancerous cells in order to prevent them from multiplying within your body. Normal cells within your body have the ability to stop dividing. However, cancer cells continue dividing and therefore multiply rapidly. Tumors can develop and your physician may use chemo as an option to treat your cancer. Though chemo's intent is to make you well, the effects of the treatment can weaken your immune system since healthy cells are destroyed along with cancerous cells. Keeping your immune system healthy after chemo is essential to help get you back on track to feeling well again.

Instructions

Eat Right

• 1

  Talk with a nutritionist on how to formulate a healthy diet more geared towards your lifestyle. Eating the right foods after chemo is essential to helping you regain your health.

• 2

  Think about taking a multi-vitamin in order to receive nutrients that you may not get by eating. You need to be able to minimize the possibility of suffering from nutritional deficiencies.

• 3

  If you experience severe fatigue or a lack of appetite, include more protein into your diet. Protein can help provide you with more energy throughout your day. According to Chemo Care, some good sources of protein include nuts and legumes.

• 4

  Eat more fruits and vegetables, which contain phytochemicals. Phytochemicals are essential compounds that are given off by plants, fruits and vegetables. Eat more antioxidant rich foods such as cantaloupe and apricots . Eat greens vegetables such as broccoli and kale.

Avoid Stress

• 5

  Though it's easier said than done, your body needs to be protected against stress. Avoiding stress can help you regain your immunity faster than if you're stressed. When you're stressed, your body is more apt to succumb to illnesses and infections.

• 6

  Try joining a support group. According to BreastCancer.org, it was found that women who had breast cancer and joined support groups lived longer than patients who did not. One of the beliefs was that support groups can offer stress reduction which can help boost your immune system.

• 7

  Ask your physician if his hospital offers stress reduction therapy. Such therapies can include yoga or meditation. Involving yourself in a class can help lower levels of stress hormones such as adrenaline.