What are the best foods or diet to help fight myeloma? There's no single "perfect" diet, but research points to some clear patterns that can help keep your body strong during treatment.
The Mediterranean diet is widely considered one of the best overall approaches. It focuses on:
- Plenty of vegetables and fruits
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What are the best foods or diet to help fight myeloma? There's no single "perfect" diet, but research points to some clear patterns that can help keep your body strong during treatment.
The Mediterranean diet is widely considered one of the best overall approaches. It focuses on:
- Plenty of vegetables and fruits
- Legumes (beans, lentils)
- Whole grains
- Fish
- Healthy fats like olive oil
- Limited red meat and added sugars Some specific foods worth highlighting include:
- Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, Brussels sprouts) — contain compounds that may help fight cancer
- Fish — linked to a potentially lower myeloma risk
- Turmeric (curcumin) — shows early promise in research
- High-fiber foods — fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help manage treatment side effects like constipation or diarrhea
A MyMyelomaTeam member shared that eating high-fiber cereal really helped manage their diarrhea during treatment. It's equally important to limit certain foods that can increase inflammation or spike blood sugar, including:
- Processed and fried foods
- Red and processed meats (bacon, hot dogs)
- Sugary drinks and sweets
- White bread and refined carbohydrates
- Trans fats (check labels for "partially hydrogenated oils")
Everyone's needs are a little different, so talking to your oncology team or a registered dietitian who works with myeloma patients is a great next step for personalized guidance.
June 22