Diet impacts the gut environment, helping shape the composition, structure, and function of microorganisms naturally living in the gut microbiome.
Foods rich in fiber, antioxidants, and nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids may help manage conditions that affect the digestive system, including colon cancer.
“Research now is increasingly focusing on the idea of anti-inflammatory food, meaning trying to genuinely limit ultra-processed foods (UPFs),” says Hope Barkoukis, PhD, RDN, the chair of the department of nutrition at Case Western Reserve University. There’s no one standard definition of UPFs, but basically, instead of reaching for chips, candy, sodas, and similar refined fast foods, try more color in your diet from whole fruits and veggies, nuts of all types, lean proteins, and healthy fats such as olive oil and avocado oil. These foods help reduce inflammation in the gut, and may help reduce symptoms of colon cancer or its treatments.
Notably, issues like nausea and vomiting, smell and taste changes, and loss of appetite — which the condition or its treatment may cause — are real challenges that can make it more difficult for people with colorectal cancer to get adequate nutrition.
Working with nutrition experts like registered dietitians (RDs or RDNs) may be beneficial in managing these eating challenges. Also, keep in mind that diet should augment your conventional treatment and not serve as a replacement for any medication or treatment that your doctor prescribes.
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