Help for those who are losing weight

I responded to a posting I saw about someones dad who was losing weight.  After I wrote my message (below), I realized it was posted in a different type of cancer message board, but thought it might be more helpful posted in cancer / nutrition or diet, I wanted to give back to all of you who have posted messages on this message board that has been so helpful for me - here is my message that may help you / your loved one if they are having issues with unexpected weight loss. Jean

My mother has GBM 4, but no wt loss issues as of yet, however, I work as a dietitian (RD) in a hospital and see many people with cancer.  Of course, everyone is different... I encourage trying to get the most out of every bite and drink you take.  Also try as best you can to stay hydrated.

The National Cancer Institute has great site with nutrition / eating tips for before, during and after treatment.

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/eatinghints/page3#3

As well as the American Cancer Society.

http://www.cancer.org/docroot/MBC/MBC_6.asp?

Of course there is Ensure and Ensure Plus, Walmart has equivalent product.  You can use whole milk, milk in dry powdered milk, carnation instant breakfast powder, syrup, fruit / peanut butter, baby cereal or any other creative idea you have.  I have not used the product called "Scandi Shake" but have heard others speak of it... It has 600 calories and 12 grams of protien.  Even visiting the website, gives some great ideas you can use for some recipes for different shakes. You can probably substitue instant breakfast powder for the Scandi Shake powder.

 http://store.axcanscandipharm.com/recipes.php

For a FREE sample of SCANDISHAKE®, or to request additional information, please call (800) 4-SCANDI (800-472-2634).

You can also purchase SCANDISHAKE® directly from Axcan by calling the telephone number listed above or by visiting our Online Store.

SCANDISHAKE® is also available through your local pharmacy.

Usually your pharmacy can order in any special supplement, but doesn't carry all supplements on their shelves. When getting from your pharmacy, you just need to ask the pharmacist if they can order it. 

By the way, I am not a sales person and have no direct connection to any of these products.  These are just resources I've picked up on over the years.

Good luck with trying some new ideas.  I wish you and your dad the best in health!

Jean, RD  Daughter of Mary Kaye Dx March 23, 2009

Thanks Jean for this very informative post! I'm also an RD and a CSO. I think more RDs should be involved in this type of message board to help people with their questions, as not all cancer centers offer access to an RD's valuable advice. Oh, and I've tried Scandi Shakes- they're delicious!

Thanks again and best wishes to you and your mom.

Any kind of dairy is mucus for the body and NOT GOOD for cancer, Sugar feeds cancer!!  So these shakes your are talking about are the worst thing you can put in your body.  Need to get real protein shakes made from hemp etc.  Go to Whole Foods or a real good nutrition store that can help you find the right kind of supplement shake. 

On 9/12/2009 Smpal wrote:

Any kind of dairy is mucus for the body and NOT GOOD for cancer, Sugar feeds cancer!!  So these shakes your are talking about are the worst thing you can put in your body.  Need to get real protein shakes made from hemp etc.  Go to Whole Foods or a real good nutrition store that can help you find the right kind of supplement shake. 

Smpal,

Your message is at best misleading, and at worst, untrue.  Our bodies turn almost everything we ingest into glycogen, so to suggest that cancer patients not ingest any sugar is meaningless.  This untrue rumor has been floating around for some time but anyone who knows basic body chemistry knows it is not and cannot be true.  You do patients a disservice suggesting that sugar feeds cancer and that they should not ingest Scandi shakes.

Joan L