If you’re going through chemotherapy treatment, you probably feel as if you’ve gone a few rounds in the boxing ring: beat-up and just plain beat. “Fatigue is probably the main side effect of chemotherapy,” says naturopathic oncologist Leanna Standish, ND, medical director of the Bastyr University Integrative Oncology Research Center in Seattle. Patients undergoing chemotherapy are in a triple bind. First, cancer itself is tiring. Second, 50%-90% of all cancer patients suffer from fatigue, according to a 2011 Brazilian study. Plus, anti-cancer drugs may sap your strength.But you can fight fatigue, say cancer experts.
- Get enough calories.This isn’t the time to start a diet – even if you’re overweight. “Some people say, ‘I have a few pounds to lose anyway.’ But you can lose a lot of muscle mass during chemotherapy,” warns Michele Szafranski, a registered dietitian for the American Cancer Society and a co-author of What To Eat During Cancer Treatment: 100 Great-Tasting, Family-Friendly Recipes to Help You Cope(American Cancer Society).Eating enough might be more important than eating healthfully during chemotherapy treatment, she says. Your body needs plenty of nourishment to help maintain strength and stamina. Check with your primary physician and oncologist, or ask to be referred to a registered dietitian, to find out how many calories you should be eating every day during treatment. “Our group reported impressive results with the use of the dry extract of Guarana (Paullinia cupana), with no significant side effects and at low cost, for the treatment of physical and mental cancer-related fatigue,” the researchers said.
