While fighting the blood cancer known as multiple myeloma, patients sometimes suffer from many gastrointestinal symptoms such as heartburn, bloating, constipation and indigestion.
It’s something that disproportionately affects the Black community, as African Americans are more than twice as likely to be diagnosed with multiple myeloma than whites.
READ: Explore Your Multiple Myeloma Treatment Options
According to the Cancer Treatment Centers of America, nutritional therapy is one way to help multiple myeloma patients who undergo a stem cell transplant – which helps destroy the disease.
Nausea, constipation, diarrhea and other problems are typical side effects of multiple myeloma treatments, which can result in weight loss, malnutrition or delay in your treatment.
It’s important to partner with a dietician to keep tabs on your eating habits and any nutritional side effects.
READ: How Do I Know If My Multiple Myeloma Treatment Is Working?
Here are some tips to fight multiple myeloma with nutritional therapy:
Check your iron levels.
Some patients develop anemia, or low red blood cell count, because of their multiple myeloma. A physician may suggest boosting iron levels by eating foods with higher levels of iron. Those foods include lean red meat, raisins, kale, sweet potatoes and more.
Avoid raw foods.
Multiple myeloma patients are at high risk for infections because of a weakened immune system. So, the best way to reduce the risk of infection is avoiding raw foods. Any undercooked meat may contain bacteria that can make you sick. Even some fruits and vegetables can be risky if they haven’t been peeled and cleaned properly. Cooking your food will kill any bacteria and prevent some illnesses.
READ: How To Manage Bone Pain From Multiple Myeloma
Add more fiber.
Constipation is one side effect of treatment therapy. Foods that help prevent constipation are high in fiber. Those include whole grains like oatmeal and brown rice, dried fruits like raisins and apricots, berries, broccoli, carrots, artichokes, nuts and beans.
Get more vitamin D.
Your bones can become weak from multiple myeloma. Calcium and vitamin D help make your bones stronger. Try adding low-fat yogurt, skim milk and cheese made with part skim milk to your diet. This may also boost your immune system to fight off infections.
READ: Multiple Myeloma: Cancer Facts African Americans Need To Know
Protect your kidneys.
Some experts suggest reducing the amount of protein-containing foods because your kidneys can become too damaged from myeloma to process them. These types of foods include meat and dairy products.
Try bland foods.
If your multiple myeloma symptoms get too out of control, try eating more bland foods and keeping the spices down. These foods include baked chicken, baked fish, steamed rice and cooked vegetables.
For more resources for living with multiple myeloma, click here.
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