Diet, Mood, and Chemotherapy: The Role of Nutrition for those with Cancer
Diet plays a critical role in both mental and physical wellbeing, offering protective contributions against
cancer, safeguarding healthy cells during chemotherapy, and enhancing mood. Fasting, by altering the
metabolic systems and cellular processes, has been observed to reduce the severity of chemotherapy side
effects such as fatigue and improving quality of life. Likewise, the Mediterranean diet’s high amount of
antioxidants and anti-inflammatories prevents cell degeneration and inhibits the proliferation of cancer
cells. Additionally, diets rich in fruits, vegetables, omega-3-fatty acids, and those involving caloric
restriction approaches, have been connected to reductions in depression and anxiety, suggesting that a
cancer patient’s diet during treatment can affect their mentality. These findings highlight the importance
of educating cancer patients on the impact of diet on both mood and physiology to enhance their overall
wellbeing.
