Radiation therapy is one of the effective methods for treating tumors, playing a crucial role in the treatment of esophageal cancer, cervical cancer, lung cancer, and other tumors. However, radiation is highly destructive to the human body and is considered as "heat toxin" in traditional Chinese medicine. It can cause excessive heat toxin, depletion of body fluid, and disharmony of the spleen and stomach. Common diseases associated with radiation therapy include radiation pneumonitis, radiation enteritis, and radiation bone marrow suppression. A proper diet during radiation therapy can help alleviate its side effects. So, what should one eat during radiation therapy?
During radiation therapy for tumors in the chest, such as esophageal cancer and lung cancer, it is recommended to consume light and mild foods. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that "treating the upper focus is like lifting a feather, it must be clear and light," and "the lungs prefer moistness over dryness." Therefore, light and moisturizing foods are the preferred choice, such as lily, lotus root juice, pear juice, mung bean soup, watermelon juice, water chestnut, tremella, winter melon, etc. Avoid spicy and stimulating foods like cinnamon, fennel, chili, and onions.
For radiation therapy in the abdomen, such as gastric and intestinal tumors, liver cancer, and colorectal cancer, it often leads to radiation enteritis. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that "treating the middle focus is like balancing a scale, it must be stable and balanced." It is recommended to consume foods with moderate flavors that can warm and nourish the stomach, such as shiitake mushrooms, longan meat, white kidney beans, coix seed, Chinese yam, red dates, lotus seeds, nutmeg, hawthorn, etc.
Radiation therapy for pelvic tumors and bone metastases can easily lead to radiation bone marrow suppression. During treatment, it is advisable to consume foods that protect the bone marrow, such as goji berries, seaweed, black sesame seeds, tomatoes, snow lotus, Rhodiola rosea, asparagus, etc.
Of course, taking some traditional Chinese medicine during or after radiation therapy can further alleviate its side effects.
