The Connection Between What We Eat and the Disease We Live With

There is a vital link between how we nourish our bodies and how we heal, recover from injury and even what diseases we contract over our lifetime. Certain foods can prevent disease, and other foods can strengthen our body systems or even bolster up our immune system against infection. Think of food as not only fuel for our brain and muscles, but also the fuel that recharges or kick starts our immune system and heart. The nutrients contained in the food we eat are needed by the cells of our bodies in order for the cells to perform tasks assigned to it by the unique design of our body.

When our cells lack the proper nutrients they will not function, perform poorly or stop functioning all together. The action or lack of action that results from poor nutrition is what causes disease.

Aids and those who are HIV positive can suffer from weight loss, fatigue and system failure due to the ravages of the disease. Proper nutrition can play an important role in the rate of progress of the disease. Those with AIDS need a diet that is high in protein and calories so that the immune system can work at optimum performance.

The cancer riddled body deals with stress from the disease itself and from the treatment, especially chemotherapy can be stressful on the body tissues. To deal with this stress it is important to have proper nutrition. Sometimes the treatments will rob a person of an appetite and making it difficult to go through the motions of eating. The treatment for cancer can cause a person to lose 10% or more of body weight in just the first few months of treatment. Watching the amount of protein and counting calories is important, especially in the beginning where it is imperative to start good habits and stick to them throughout the course of treatment. It is important for a person with cancer to consume foods that are not only high in protein, but also fat and sugar as well. Smaller portions of fats and sugars can go along way to replenish much needed energy and weight.

Daily food guidelines for the cancer patient:

2 servings of daily each and every day either in the form of 2 cups of milk, or two servings sizes from cheese, yogurt, ice cream or other dairy items.

Eat 2 protein servings of 3 oz's in size every day.

Eat 1/2 cup serving of fruit at least twice a day with at least one of the servings being a citrus fruit or citrus juice

Eat 1/2 cup serving size 3 or more times each day of vegetables especially dark green leafy or deep orange

Eat 6 or more servings from the bread and cereal food group

Misc. foods like beverages, soups, and desserts can be eaten at will

Ways to boost calories:

Do the opposite that you do when trying to lose weight:

Use butter or margarine at will on a variety of hot foods like vegetables, hot cereals, rice and eggs, use sour cream, mayonnaise, peanut butter, whipped cream and foods high in sugar and starch will also add calories quick as well as sweets like candy, honey, cakes and cookies.