CLL Diet: Foods to Eat and Foods to Avoid
In recent years, with the advances in treatment have changed how some patients manage their disease. At the same time, patients with CLL and their families are paying more attention to healthy lifestyle habits, and in particular to their diet, with the purpose of maintaining their health, energy, and body weight.
However, many individuals with CLL can experience changes in their appetite, energy levels, and even their immune system, which can impact their nutrition. Since CLL is a disease of the white blood cells, which are known as lymphocytes, or more specifically the B lymphocytes, the goal of which there are many in CLL, eating a healthy, balanced diet that is packed with a variety of essential nutrients is important. A person’s nutrition can help keep them strong and support their body to fight their cancer, as well as help them cope with their treatment.
Why Diet Matters for People with CLL
Nutrition is a major component to good health. Even though there is no food that can get rid of cancer cells, there are many foods that can help to provide the nutrients needed to maintain good health. Many people with CLL experience fatigue, weight loss, feeling tired, being sick, or having an infection. Eating a variety of nutritious foods can help to combat some of these symptoms. For people with CLL who are on CLL targeted therapy, nutrition may help support overall energy levels during treatment.
Individuals with CLL who are receiving targeted CLL therapy typically focus on dealing with cancer and keeping their strength and energy. They need a healthy diet to keep their bodies stocked with the proper nutrients – vitamins, minerals, protein, and healthy fats – to support the body to recover from the additional stresses that treatment places on it. A balanced diet may support a patient through their entire cancer experience.
Foods to Eat with CLL
A healthy diet for someone with CLL should be made up of wholesome, natural foods which will provide the body with the nutrients it requires to function correctly. Nutrients in foods help support overall health and normal body function, but they do not prevent or treat cancer. There are some of the healthiest groups of foods and should make up a large portion of your diet. The antioxidants, vitamins and fiber found in these foods will help to keep your body in top working order.
Berries of all colors, as well as citrus fruits such as oranges, tangerines, grapefruits, and lemons, contain high amounts of Vitamin C and make great additions to a CLL patient’s diet. Leafy green vegetables like spinach, kale, collard greens and Swiss chard, as well as carrots, sweet potatoes, and other root vegetables and squashes all contain high amounts of antioxidants and should be included in your daily intake of fruits and vegetables as well. In addition to these types of produce, broccoli, cauliflower, and bell peppers contain compounds that have been shown to have studied for potential health benefits.
In addition to consuming plenty of fruits and vegetables, it is also very important to include a variety of protein sources in your diet. Protein helps build and repair tissues, and it is especially important for maintaining muscle mass, which can help keep you from losing weight due to CLL or its treatment. Some examples of protein rich foods are chicken, fish, eggs, beans, lentils, and tofu.
Whole grains are also an important food group for CLL patients. Foods like oats, brown rice, quinoa and whole grain bread contain complex carbohydrates that are gradually released to provide energy. In contrast to refined carbohydrates, whole grains also contain a lot of fiber which is good for the digestive system.
In addition to providing energy, nutrients and fiber, healthy fats are needed for the proper absorption of certain vitamins and can help to lower cholesterol which is very important to those suffering with CLL as they are more susceptible to developing high cholesterol and fatty build up in the arteries. Also, healthy fats, such as those found in avocados, can help to keep you feeling fuller for longer thus reducing the chances of you consuming too many calories. Nuts and seeds are also good sources of healthy fat and can be added to a variety of meals for an extra boost. Other good sources of healthy fat include fatty fish, and olive oil which can be used as a healthy alternative to other cooking oils.
Some Beneficial Food Choices Include:
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
- Chicken, fish, eggs, beans, lentils and tofu are all good sources of protein
- Whole grains like oats, brown rice, and quinoa
- Healthy fats such as avocados, nuts, seeds, olive oil, and fatty fish
- Plenty of water and other hydrating beverages
The Importance of Hydration
Another essential aspect to nutrition that is often overlooked is the simple act of drinking enough fluids. Even though there are so many different food sources that are rich in water, sometimes it is easier to consume enough of these food sources to satisfy the body’s needs for fluids. Furthermore, some people with cancer are experiencing side effects such as diarrhea or vomiting that cause them to need to consume more fluids. Some people may even have excessive sweating as a result of their treatment. In such cases, increasing fluid intake can even help alleviate some of the fatigue that a person with cancer is experiencing and help them have more energy to carry out physical activities and complete daily tasks.
Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day can even help to combat CLL-related fatigue, and can aid your body in your overall physical function. In addition to plain water, there are a number of herbal teas and broths that can contribute to your fluid intake, as well as a variety of foods that are comprised mostly of water, such as cucumbers and watermelon.
Foods to Avoid with CLL
While there are foods that supply nutrients for good health there are many more that are of little nutritional value and can actually cause more negative health effects. Processed foods that are high in sodium, added sugars and unhealthy fats are more negative than beneficial. They may be used as fillers in meals to add bulk but to gain weight it is far better to fill meals with nutrient-dense foods.
In addition, sugary snacks and drinks should be limited as they can cause energy highs and lows and can displace more nutritious foods. Fresh or frozen fruit such as berries, citrus fruits or apples can be a healthier alternative to sugary snacks and drinks. They can also be added to yoghurt for a healthy dessert.
The CLL patient must be very aware of the food safety issues as the CLL can affect the immune system in many ways. Also, the food that the patient with CLL eats can carry bacteria and other parasites that can cause illness in people with immune systems that are compromised in any way. This would include foods that are raw or undercooked. Pasteurized dairy products are also a food that must be ingested with caution as the CLL patient can be at risk for getting sick from foods that are not pasteurized.
Foods That Are Generally Best Limited or Avoided
- Processed and fast foods
- Sugary drinks and desserts
- Raw seafood and undercooked meats
- Unpasteurized dairy products
- Excessive alcohol consumption
Food Safety Considerations
As CLL can weaken your immune system you should pay special attention to how food is prepared and how it is stored at home. Even healthy foods can harbor unwanted bacteria and other pathogens that can cause food-borne illness and lead to serious problems for people with compromised immune systems. Foods should be washed and stored correctly to help minimize the risk of getting sick from the food you eat.
In addition to the proper handling and preparation of foods, people with CLL should also make sure to practice good hygiene when preparing meals. Washing your hands before you start to prepare a meal is very important to preventing the spread of an infection. In addition, it is very important to avoid allowing raw foods to come into contact with cooked foods. This is especially true for people who are receiving cll targeted therapy as the effects of these treatments on the immune system can vary from person to person and from one treatment to another.
Managing Treatment-Related Side Effects Through Diet
Many people find that the side effects of treatment for CLL affect their ability to eat properly and to get enough nutrients. Nausea and vomiting are among the most common side effects, but patients also experience changes in taste, mouth sores, dry mouth, and loss of appetite. All of these can make it very difficult to eat enough to keep your body nourished and to have the energy you need to deal with your cancer and its treatment. However, there are many things you can do to help manage these side effects and to make sure you are getting the nutrients you need.
Consider smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day. Many patients have found soft foods, such as soups, smoothies, oatmeal, yogurt, and well-mashed fruits and vegetables to be easier to consume when the mouth is sensitive. If food has an unpleasant taste consider varying seasonings and cooking methods to find something that tastes better.
It is also very important to remember that each and every person has different nutritional needs. What is good for one person, will not necessarily be good for another. For this reason, it is always very important to seek the individualized advice of your health care team.
Supporting Overall Health During CLL Treatment
All aspects of health must be taken into account by the CLL patient and his or her family. In addition to food, the patient needs to get enough physical activity, get plenty of sleep, manage stress, and comply with treatment. With the advent of cll targeted therapy for many patients with this disease, the aspect of nutrition can be viewed as part of the overall treatment program. A healthy diet may support general health and overall well-being during CLL treatment while he or she is receiving treatment for CLL.
Targeted therapies have been developed for CLL and are used in certain patients based on clinical factors. A healthy diet is also an important component to support the body during treatment and to improve the quality of life of patients with CLL.
Conclusion
There is no specific diet to cure CLL but by choosing the right foods, people with CLL can support their health in general. The diet described above, rich in fruits and vegetables, in lean protein, in whole grains and healthy fats and low in processed foods, sugar and raw and unsafe foods can be a good starting point.
For the individual with CLL, particularly the patient on cll targeted therapy, nutrition is a support for treatment. Healthy, balanced eating, and attention to proper food safety are important to keep the body fueled and give it energy to deal with the challenges of living with CLL.
