13 Foods & Supplements to Avoid During Chemotherapy
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At a glance
Okay, here’s a list of foods to avoid during cancer treatment, based on the provided text:
- Sprouts (alfalfa and bean sprouts specifically) – due to high risk of bacterial contamination (salmonella, E. coli) and inability to thoroughly wash them.
- Unpasteurized Cheeses (Brie, Camembert, Roquefort, Bleu, Gorgonzola, Stilton, Cotia, Fresh white cheese) – risk of carrying bacteria.
- Echinacea (and perhaps Goldenseal,Ginseng,and kava) – can interfere with chemotherapy drug metabolism.
- Sushi & Sashimi (and all raw or undercooked fish/seafood like clams, mussels, oysters) – risk of norovirus, hepatitis A, and other illnesses.
- Hot Sauce (and generally spicy, acidic, sharp, or crunchy foods) – can irritate mouth sores (mucositis) caused by chemotherapy.
- Antioxidant Supplements (vitamins A, C, E, carotenoids) – may protect cancer cells and reduce treatment effectiveness.
Critically important Note: The text also mentions that any raw fruits and vegetables can be problematic due to potential germs, and recommends thorough washing. If you have neutropenia, you should consult your doctor about potentially eliminating all raw produce.