A liver cancer patient’s diet is not prescribed, although medical practitioners may suggest certain foods that can aid in the healing process.
The most frequent causes of liver cancer are the hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses. On the other hand, liver cancer can also result from a variety of lifestyle choices, genetics, and exposure to carcinogens.
The mortality rate from liver cancer can be influenced by diet, as well as other lifestyle factors. It might also have an impact on a person’s likelihood of getting this malignancy.
Consuming a diet rich in specific foods and balanced in nutrients can help lower an individual’s chance of developing liver cancer.
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Some foods that may help lower the risk of liver cancer and lower the death rate for people who already have the disease are included in this article. It also describes which meals might be more beneficial to eat while receiving treatment.
Nutrition Guidelines For Liver Cancer
The most prevalent type of primary liver cancer in adults is called hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which frequently appears after cirrhosis develops.
People with HCC may be severely malnourished because cirrhosis increases metabolic demands, impairs appetite, and reduces food absorption. Sufficient dietary assistance may be necessary for the treatment of this cancer.
A healthcare provider may provide a person with a nutritional plan tailored to their individual needs. Along with other cancer-related concerns, this thorough nutritional assessment may include a thorough physical examination, a review of the patient’s medical history, laboratory results, and other information.
Specific dietary recommendations are usually given by medical specialists depending on each patient’s needs, although some foods may be helpful in controlling and lowering the risk of liver cancer. On the other hand, some meals may exacerbate symptoms and even raise the risk of liver cancer.
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Foods to Include
Physicians may advise patients with liver cancer to incorporate particular foods into their diet.
Whole Grains
According to research, whole grain consumption and liver cancer may be inversely related. According to a 2021 study, the groups with the highest consumption of whole grains also had the lowest risks of liver cancer death. Dietary fiber might be mostly to blame for this.
Legumes
Chickpeas, lentils, and other legumes are excellent sources of dietary fiber. They might act as a preventative measure against liver cancer and might even be negatively correlated with it. People may benefit from eating 8–40 grams of beans per day, according to research.
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Fruits and vegetables
Consuming fruits and vegetables on a daily basis may help prevent several types of cancer since they are high in vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants.
According to a 2023 study, lettuce and cruciferous vegetables have the greatest potential to lower the incidence of liver cancer and chronic liver disease (CLD)-related death.
According to a 2019 study, men who ate more veggies had a 50% lower risk of developing liver cancer.
Fish
A 2010 study discovered a negative correlation between the risk of CLD and the consumption of white meat and fish. This comprises high-n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 PUFA) oily fish, like Trusted Source:
- salmon
- herring
- mackerel
- sardines
According to research, those who already have hepatitis B or C infections may even be protected against the development of HCC by consuming adequate n-3 PUFA.
Research from 2013 suggests that lean fish, fatty fish, crustaceans, and mollusks may also have independent relationships with decreased HCC risk.
Foods to Avoid
Some food kinds may raise the risk of cancer, thus people may want to minimize or stay away from them.
Aflatoxins
There may be a link between aflatoxins and a higher risk of liver cancer. They may be found in foods like:
- Corn
- Rice
- Peanuts
- Sesame seeds
- Sunflower seeds
- Wheat
- Some dried foods and spices
Fungal infections or crop contamination both before and after harvest are the causes of aflatoxins. Additionally, they can spread to cattle through feed, contaminating meat and other animal products like dairy and eggs.
About 25% of the world’s crops are impacted by myotoxins, the majority of which are aflatoxins. Aflatoxin contamination of food is routinely tested for by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and there haven’t been any documented outbreaks of aflatoxin-induced disease in the US.
Red meat
A 2017 study found a positive association between red meat consumption and both HCC and CLD, indicating that consuming a lot of red meat can raise one’s risk of liver cancer.
A 2021 study found that consuming a lot of red meat may potentially raise the risk of death for people who already have liver cancer.
Processed meat
Because processed beef is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen, there is proof that it can cause cancer in people.
It has a lot of iron and saturated fat, both of which are linked to the development of cancer. Additionally, processed meat has been connected to the emergence of high-risk cancer risk factors like diabetes and obesity. Liver cancer is directly correlated with insulin resistance, which is linked to eating processed meat.
What to Eat During Treatment?
Chemotherapy or liver resection—the removal of a portion of the liver—may be required of patients getting treatment for liver cancer. For those with liver cancer, there are meals that may help control treatment-related side effects.
During Chemo
Eating adequate protein and calories is crucial for patients undergoing chemotherapy. Chemotherapy patients may notice a decrease in appetite. They might also have other symptoms including diarrhea and mouth sores that make eating difficult.
This indicates that it may be beneficial for an individual to experiment with different foods and add high-protein, high-calorie snacks to their diet, like:
- Chicken or fish salad and crackers
- Greek yogurt
- Nuts and seeds
- Eggs
After surgery
Eating nutritious, well-balanced meals is particularly crucial following surgery. The following foods have been linked to a decreased death rate from CLD:
- lettuce
- sweet potatoes
- cruciferous vegetables, such as:
- broccoli
- cabbage
- cauliflower
- legumes
- carrots
Health care providers usually advise clients to strictly restrict or abstain from drinking during recovery periods.
Alternative Diets
Many popular diets make the claim to “cure” or at least treat cancer. Nevertheless, no diet can take the place of expert medical care, and there is no scientific evidence to support this.
These diets include:
- alkaline diet
- Gerson therapy
- ketogenic diet
- intermittent fasting
Summary
If a person consumes less red and processed meat and more cruciferous vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and seafood, their chance of developing liver cancer may go down.
These same dietary components may lessen the chance of death or assist manage symptoms in patients with liver cancer or those recovering from it. Individual circumstances differ, though, therefore one should always see a medical practitioner for specific advice.