You Are What You Eat: How Food Choices affect Recovery

Summary: What you eat can significantly impact recovery after transplant and CAR T-cell therapy. This presentation discusses the nutritional needs of stem cell transplant and CAR T-cell recipients in the short- and long-term; how food choices affect organ function and help prevent complications; how to manage eating difficulties; the role of prebiotics and probiotic in nutrition; and common myths about the relationship between cancer and nutrition.
Presenter: Stephanie Wiese RD, CNSC, Colorado Blood Cancer Institute, part of Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute at Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center
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Highlights:
Calorie and protein needs are much higher than normal up to 90 days after a stem cell transplant or CAR T-cell therapy, and longer for patients who are transplanted with donor cells (allogeneic transplant).
The most important things to do after transplant or CAR T-cell therapy are to eat the daily recommended amount of fruit, vegetables and protein, and keep moving.
There are many myths circulating about the relationship between certain diets and cancer. Stem cell transplant and CAR T-cell recipients should consult with a registered dietitian to ensure they are getting the right foods, in the right amounts and at the right time to speed recovery.
May 2024, Part of the Virtual Celebrating a Second Chance at Life Survivorship Symposium 2024
Presentation is 40 minutes long with 19 minutes of Q & A.
Key Points:
(02:25): Macronutrients (protein carbohydrates and fat) and micronutrients (vitamins, minerals and water) are not only important for recovery after transplant or CAR T-cell therapy but are also important before and during treatment.
(03:09): Chemotherapy damages both cancer cells and healthy cells. Protein is necessary to repair the damage, build muscles and promote a healthy immune system. Carbohydrates provide a source of energy for the rebuilding process.
(07:31): Typically, after transplant the GI tract is inflamed. Frequent, small meals are better than trying to consume a large volume of food all at once to meet your calorie goals.
(10:51): After CAR T-cell therapy, a side effects called cytokine release syndrome (CRS) reduces appetite, increase the body's demand for nutrition and accelerates the rate at which muscles break down.
(13:40): Physical activity is important for maintaining muscle mass and strength.
(14:21): Aim to meet your nutritional needs through diet alone, rather than with supplements.
(16:52): Several strategies can help address a poor appetite, change in taste or smell, a dry mouth, mouth sores, nausea and vomiting, reflux, burping and diarrhea.
(26:37): People with GI graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) have higher need for protein, due to damage to the gut. Fatty. starchy and acidic foods, well as caffeine and dairy products should be avoided.
(33:27): A common myth is that sugar feeds cancer.
(37:33): Prebiotics and probiotics can help improve gut health and are better derived from food, than from supplements.
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