Treatment of cancer puts much strain on the body and it can be challenging for patients to be able to eat a sufficient amount of the food that is important for them. Appetite, difficulty with swallowing, nausea and fatigue may all have an impact on food consumption. That is when medical food (this is known as อาหารทางการแพทย์ in Thai) is pertinent in nutritional care. Medical food is specially formulated to fulfil nutritional requirements associated with specific diseases, and provides the body with all the necessary nutrients if a regular diet is inadequate during treatment, ensuring strength and well-being all year round.
Why Nutrition Matters During Cancer Care
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Proper eating and drinking are an integral component to managing cancer. The body requires energy and nutrients for coping with treatment, repairing tissues, and maintaining weight, all of which require energy. The body must expend energy to cope with treatment, repair its tissues and to maintain its muscle mass, which requires energy.
Without sufficient nutrition, people may experience unintended weight loss, reduced energy, and slower recovery, as well as an increased risk of malnutrition. Moreover, addressing these nutritional challenges early can make a meaningful difference in supporting your day to day health.
How Medical Food Meets Specialised Nutritional Needs
The use of medical food is different from the use of foods or nutritional supplements in that medical food is specifically formulated to treat certain medical conditions and must be used under medical supervision.
Medical food can be used to benefit an individual and supply:
- Balanced energy to meet daily nutritional needs.
- Quality protein, which helps to minimise muscle loss.
- Highest quality vitamins and minerals
- Specially formulated food nutrients that are even more palatable when the appetite is low.
These are specific formulations which are used to support the patient in providing the appropriate nutrition to support medical treatments.
Supporting Strength Throughout Treatment
Eating enough is not all that is required to keep you strong while undergoing cancer treatment. There are typically elevated nutritional needs when there is stress on the body.
Adequate nutrition can help support:
- Muscle maintenance
- Daily energy levels
- Tissue repair
- Immune function
- Overall quality of life
All patients are unique, and diets are personalised based on their age, medical history, treatment phase and diet requirements.
Medical Food as Part of a Personalised Care Plan
Medical food is not meant to be used for cancer treatment. However, they are not a standalone form of care, but are included as part of a full package of care formulated by healthcare services.
Nutritional intake is monitored regularly by a doctor and/or dietitian and may require a medical food if a person is having trouble meeting their nutritional needs from their regular meals. This individualised practice will enable nutritional care to be tailored to treatment and individual requirements changing.
In collaboration with the healthcare team, it can be ensured that nutritional support will be well suited during the patient’s treatment.
Looking Beyond the Plate
Nutrition is about much more than calories. By improving their status, independence and energy levels, they can be better able to enjoy the treatment.
The family members and/or carers are also an important part of the plan and can encourage a uniform intake and who can support patients with their professional nutrition advice and counselling. Little steps toward better ongoing care can be gained by small steps in nutrition every day.
Supporting Nutritional Care with Confidence
Every person’s cancer treatment is found to be unique, and diet is an important part to consider. If anything, eat nutritious food throughout your treatment, but seek advice from your health care provider about the best food to eat if it’s necessary for specialised nutrition during your treatment. Thai Otsuka Nutrition Club provides medical nutrition solutions designed to supplement people with various medical conditions with personalised nutritional care that goes beyond standard nutritional care provided in the hospital, giving patients the best outcomes from the nutrition intervention.
