Diet durig chemotherapy

[psra]

What fruits can be taken during chemotherapy. Can pomegranate be taken.

[manish_vkg TeamBCI]

Dear PSRA,

as such u can take any fruit, which can be peel off like pomegranate, banana, orange etc. but the most important thing is if you are neutropenic then better to avoid all raw fruits and raw vegetables because there is increased chance of infection from raw fruits and vegetables.

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[kontak TeamBCI in reply to manish_vkg]

Yes Manish has rightly said. Avoid thin peels fruits - like Chickoo etc. Also try to take soups this will help

[attuul]

As advise by our Oncologist, the fruits only can peel off are advised. Manish has rightly said. Fruits like Apple, Guava were not advise to us since it can be eaten without peeling.

[Bimalnaik]

I am advised to avoid fruits. i am told to take only cooked food, any thing. my doc told me "you can eat any thing that is well cooked, even fruits, but if you can not cook it is not for you." just find from doc.

[shirdi]

yes u can take fruits and also dry fruits also which will help u a lot.

[PK53]

In my case here in Toronto, Doctors advised, to avoid, Pomegranate, Sevile Orange (otherwise called Bitter or marmaaide orange), Grapefruit. To limit Turmeric in cooking.

The reason being these fruits are rich in anti-oxidant this would interact with effectiveness of chemo medicine.

All other fruits, wash three to four times very thoroughly before you peel and after you peel.

Regards

PK

[manish_vkg TeamBCI in reply to PK53]

this is good info bcu here in india no one thinks like that...can u explain in details...

Thanks

Manish

[PK53]

Manish

I myself wanted to know why the doctor advised me to do that way. Then my Nutrition Dietetics gave me the following reason for why we should avoid those fruites

To be able to work, all drugs, including cancer drugs, must be broken down and absorbed into the body. The main process happens in our gut which is otherwise called digestive system. I believe our body needs group of body substances called cytochrome P (CYP) enzymes to break down these drugs. There are several CYP enzymes, including a group called CYP3A.

So the fruits such as Grapefruit, Pomegranate, Sevile orange and Star fruits blocks CYP3A, due to their antioxidant power and reduce the effectiveness of chemo treatment. That is the reason these fruits should not be taken while you are on treatment.

Regards

Padma

[psra in reply to PK53]

thanks

[manish_vkg TeamBCI]

Dr. Shah, we need your special comment on this discussion..

[sumeet_shah Administrator]

Honestly, I am not too aware myself on how certain fruits would act in the body. What we normally follow is, probably try to avoid raw fruits, and peel off properly, to avoid any form of infection. At least in the first seven days. Bland fruits are absolutely fine. Even citric fruits, in a small quantity, would not harm.

I am not sure whether their anti oxidant effect would interfere with chemo. However, since you have pointed that out, I will need to read up a bit and understand if it is really true or not. All this while, all my patients have been having all forms of fruits (including dry fruits) happily and safely. I will still read it up.

[psra]

Thankd Dr.Shah

[greenbear]

My oncologist said that ASCO guidelines advises against taking antioxidant supplements as it could interfere with chemotherapy. However he also said that anti oxidants present in fruits and other foods are in such small quantities that they do not envisage any interference as such.

[manish_vkg TeamBCI]

its really very confusing situation, we don't know what is right, what is wrong....bcu as i can recall in my wife case they were giving antioxidant after chemotherapy...

good to know

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