Wellness and Nutrition During Cancer Treatment
Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2026 4:32 am
Next, we are going to hear from Melanie Belgium, an experienced clinical pharmacist who works in the home infusion department. She has more than 50 years of experience educating and caring for Kaiser patients with chronic illnesses such as malnutrition, cancer, and bacterial, viral, and fungal infections. Her clinical expertise combines her pharmaceutical education with extensive hands-on daily experience supporting patients living with chronic conditions.
Just yesterday, one of my patients, Donald, asked me to share his appreciation for Melanie’s involvement in his home infusion treatment. He said the care he received under Melanie’s direction was world-class and described her as one of the most motivated and mindful people he knows. I now hand the presentation over to Melanie.
Dr. Sue, thank you very much for that introduction. I’m humbled and grateful to be here and of service. Good morning, everyone, and thank you for joining this talk. My name is Melanie, and I will be presenting on wellness, nutrition, and mindfulness. The reason I wanted to give this presentation is both personal and professional. In my own life, I have practiced nutrition and mindfulness for more than 10 years, and it has helped me significantly, even allowing me to stop several medications for allergies, asthma, and acid reflux disease. Naturally, I try to share this knowledge with my patients. Over the past 15 years, I have cared for chronically ill patients and have been passionate about helping them improve their lifestyle and diet. Some listen politely, some are curious and enthusiastic, but many find lifestyle change difficult because it is often easier to take a pill than to change habits.
Today’s discussion focuses on wellness, nutrition, and mindfulness and how they affect physical health during cancer treatment. Major cancer treatments include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy. Taking care of yourself during treatment is very important, which is why we discuss diet, exercise, meditation, stress reduction, and holistic approaches such as acupuncture, supplements, and balanced nutrition. My personal motto is that food can heal or harm. As Dr. Oz once said, foods act like drugs that are not regulated, and the body responds to them in subtle ways.
Diet often needs adjustment after a cancer diagnosis. Eating the same types or amounts of food as before may not support recovery or treatment response. Treatment side effects can change taste, digestion, or swallowing ability, and tumors themselves may cause diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or pain that reduces appetite. Malnutrition and weight loss are common concerns during treatment, though weight gain can also occur. The goal is to ensure the body receives the nutrients needed to support healing and treatment response. The food pyramid offers a general guide: increase fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains, and reduce red meat, fats, sugar, and salt. Liquid meal replacements such as Ensure or Boost may help patients who cannot meet protein requirements, but they should supplement meals rather than replace a healthy diet because they are processed and often high in sugar.
The gastrointestinal tract contains trillions of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Thousands of bacterial species live in the gut. About 70 percent of the immune system is associated with the gut, and roughly 90 percent of serotonin is produced there. Research shows that imbalance in gut bacteria, known as dysbiosis, may be linked to conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes, obesity, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurological disorders. Dysbiosis can be caused by medications such as antibiotics, steroids, certain over-the-counter drugs, and oral contraceptives, as well as poor diet and stress.
Improvement strategies include reducing sugar and refined carbohydrates, increasing fiber intake, managing stress, practicing slow breathing, walking outdoors, stretching, improving sleep quality, and maintaining a consistent sleep schedule. Avoiding alcohol or caffeine before bedtime and keeping the bedroom free of devices may also help. Data from institutions such as NIH and UPMC indicate that the gut microbiome can influence how patients respond to immunotherapy. Since gut health plays a major role in immunity, optimizing it is important.
A diverse gut microbiome benefits from eating a wide variety of colorful fruits and vegetables. These foods contain phytonutrients, also called phytochemicals, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. They may support immunity, improve cellular communication, help repair DNA damage from toxins, and assist in detoxifying carcinogens. Plant pigments often signal phytonutrient content, so color can be a useful indicator. A balanced diet should also include fiber, whole grains, seeds, legumes, olive oil, avocado, fish, nuts, and similar foods. Fermented foods such as pickles, kombucha, kimchi, sauerkraut, and kefir can also support gut diversity, if tolerated. Foods to limit include highly processed products, sugary drinks, alcohol, refined wheat, fried foods, preserved foods, and sweets such as candy, cakes, and pastries. A simple guideline is to avoid foods with ingredient lists that are difficult to read or understand.
Exercise is another key factor. Patients often feel too fatigued to exercise, and steroid medications may increase appetite, which can lead to weight gain and muscle loss. This can create a cycle of fatigue, reduced activity, weight gain, low mood, and further inactivity. Research shows that exercise programs can improve treatment outcomes, reduce morbidity and mortality, lower recurrence risk, reduce fatigue, improve mood, and enhance sleep. Appropriate exercise can be started at any age or fitness level.
Meditation can also play an important role during treatment. It helps individuals remain present without judgment despite physical or emotional challenges. It supports calmness, acceptance, and self-compassion. Studies indicate meditation can lower cortisol levels and support immune function. People who meditate regularly often show lower stress hormone levels and improved immune responses.
Holistic approaches may also complement care. Acupuncture, a practice originating in China about 3,000 years ago, is used to relieve pain and treat certain conditions and may stimulate the release of endorphins. Acupressure is a related technique based on energy flow through body meridians. Aromatherapy uses plant extracts and essential oils to support physical and emotional well-being. Ayurveda, developed in India thousands of years ago, is a traditional system that focuses on balance among mind, body, and spirit.
Herbs and supplements require caution during cancer treatment. It is important to consult an oncologist before using herbal or homeopathic products, since interactions with treatment medications may occur. Open and honest communication with healthcare providers is essential when considering any complementary therapy.
This concludes the presentation. Thank you for listening, and please feel free to ask any questions.
Just yesterday, one of my patients, Donald, asked me to share his appreciation for Melanie’s involvement in his home infusion treatment. He said the care he received under Melanie’s direction was world-class and described her as one of the most motivated and mindful people he knows. I now hand the presentation over to Melanie.
Dr. Sue, thank you very much for that introduction. I’m humbled and grateful to be here and of service. Good morning, everyone, and thank you for joining this talk. My name is Melanie, and I will be presenting on wellness, nutrition, and mindfulness. The reason I wanted to give this presentation is both personal and professional. In my own life, I have practiced nutrition and mindfulness for more than 10 years, and it has helped me significantly, even allowing me to stop several medications for allergies, asthma, and acid reflux disease. Naturally, I try to share this knowledge with my patients. Over the past 15 years, I have cared for chronically ill patients and have been passionate about helping them improve their lifestyle and diet. Some listen politely, some are curious and enthusiastic, but many find lifestyle change difficult because it is often easier to take a pill than to change habits.
Today’s discussion focuses on wellness, nutrition, and mindfulness and how they affect physical health during cancer treatment. Major cancer treatments include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy. Taking care of yourself during treatment is very important, which is why we discuss diet, exercise, meditation, stress reduction, and holistic approaches such as acupuncture, supplements, and balanced nutrition. My personal motto is that food can heal or harm. As Dr. Oz once said, foods act like drugs that are not regulated, and the body responds to them in subtle ways.
Diet often needs adjustment after a cancer diagnosis. Eating the same types or amounts of food as before may not support recovery or treatment response. Treatment side effects can change taste, digestion, or swallowing ability, and tumors themselves may cause diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or pain that reduces appetite. Malnutrition and weight loss are common concerns during treatment, though weight gain can also occur. The goal is to ensure the body receives the nutrients needed to support healing and treatment response. The food pyramid offers a general guide: increase fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains, and reduce red meat, fats, sugar, and salt. Liquid meal replacements such as Ensure or Boost may help patients who cannot meet protein requirements, but they should supplement meals rather than replace a healthy diet because they are processed and often high in sugar.
The gastrointestinal tract contains trillions of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Thousands of bacterial species live in the gut. About 70 percent of the immune system is associated with the gut, and roughly 90 percent of serotonin is produced there. Research shows that imbalance in gut bacteria, known as dysbiosis, may be linked to conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes, obesity, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurological disorders. Dysbiosis can be caused by medications such as antibiotics, steroids, certain over-the-counter drugs, and oral contraceptives, as well as poor diet and stress.
Improvement strategies include reducing sugar and refined carbohydrates, increasing fiber intake, managing stress, practicing slow breathing, walking outdoors, stretching, improving sleep quality, and maintaining a consistent sleep schedule. Avoiding alcohol or caffeine before bedtime and keeping the bedroom free of devices may also help. Data from institutions such as NIH and UPMC indicate that the gut microbiome can influence how patients respond to immunotherapy. Since gut health plays a major role in immunity, optimizing it is important.
A diverse gut microbiome benefits from eating a wide variety of colorful fruits and vegetables. These foods contain phytonutrients, also called phytochemicals, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. They may support immunity, improve cellular communication, help repair DNA damage from toxins, and assist in detoxifying carcinogens. Plant pigments often signal phytonutrient content, so color can be a useful indicator. A balanced diet should also include fiber, whole grains, seeds, legumes, olive oil, avocado, fish, nuts, and similar foods. Fermented foods such as pickles, kombucha, kimchi, sauerkraut, and kefir can also support gut diversity, if tolerated. Foods to limit include highly processed products, sugary drinks, alcohol, refined wheat, fried foods, preserved foods, and sweets such as candy, cakes, and pastries. A simple guideline is to avoid foods with ingredient lists that are difficult to read or understand.
Exercise is another key factor. Patients often feel too fatigued to exercise, and steroid medications may increase appetite, which can lead to weight gain and muscle loss. This can create a cycle of fatigue, reduced activity, weight gain, low mood, and further inactivity. Research shows that exercise programs can improve treatment outcomes, reduce morbidity and mortality, lower recurrence risk, reduce fatigue, improve mood, and enhance sleep. Appropriate exercise can be started at any age or fitness level.
Meditation can also play an important role during treatment. It helps individuals remain present without judgment despite physical or emotional challenges. It supports calmness, acceptance, and self-compassion. Studies indicate meditation can lower cortisol levels and support immune function. People who meditate regularly often show lower stress hormone levels and improved immune responses.
Holistic approaches may also complement care. Acupuncture, a practice originating in China about 3,000 years ago, is used to relieve pain and treat certain conditions and may stimulate the release of endorphins. Acupressure is a related technique based on energy flow through body meridians. Aromatherapy uses plant extracts and essential oils to support physical and emotional well-being. Ayurveda, developed in India thousands of years ago, is a traditional system that focuses on balance among mind, body, and spirit.
Herbs and supplements require caution during cancer treatment. It is important to consult an oncologist before using herbal or homeopathic products, since interactions with treatment medications may occur. Open and honest communication with healthcare providers is essential when considering any complementary therapy.
This concludes the presentation. Thank you for listening, and please feel free to ask any questions.