As is true with any cancer diagnosis, a healthy and balanced diet will improve the patient’s ability to withstand the stressors inherent to mesothelioma and its treatments.  Of course, keeping weight within a healthy range increases a person’s ability to maintain physical strength and fortitude.  The importance of diet is especially prioritized in the realm of alternative medicine. 

     By adhering to a nutritious diet, a person can enhance strength and help the body resist infection.  Additionally, a healthy diet helps the body to rebuild damaged tissues.  Although dietary changes may help the cancer patient to deal with side effects and stressors due to cancer treatments and symptoms, there is no nutritional cure for cancer.

     According to the United States Department of Agriculture, a healthy, well-balanced diet is one that incorporates the standards reflected by the “food pyramid.”  This pyramid shows how whole grains, fruits, vegetables, milk products, meat and beans should be enjoyed while oils and sweets should be limited or avoided.  The Department of Agriculture also recommends at least thirty minutes of exercise every day.

     For cancer patients, nutritional and exercise considerations are even more important than in healthy individuals, and some medical professionals have made this factor the focus of their studies.  These professionals have conducted research leading to our understanding of how cancer can affect a patient’s eating habits, and how eating habits can exacerbate a person’s propensity for cancer development. 

     Diet can be disrupted as the result of side effects from cancer treatments, which may cause nausea, vomiting, or a loss of appetite.  A physician can recommend medications that will help alleviate this side effect, and can also provide suggestions for consideration in meal planning and preparation during this time.