Nutritional Interventions And Support Programs For Individuals With Specific Health Conditions

Abstract

This paper examines the deficiencies and potential areas for improvement in the impact of diet on the prevention and reversal of low muscle mass in cancer patients. The main indication of poor nutrition is the significant depletion of muscle mass (MM), which can occur at any stage of the disease and is often accompanied by obesity. The efficacy of nutritional therapies in preventing or treating low muscle mass in cancer patients remains unclear due to the scarcity of research and lack of clinically feasible techniques for assessing body composition. The research designs, inclusion criteria, intervention duration, and selection of nutritional methods have not been ideal, leading to an underestimation of the anabolic effects of dietary treatments. The paper also discusses energy requirements and various interventions to address low muscle mass in cancer patients, including protein intake, branched-chain amino acids, glutamine, carnitine, creatine, fish oil, and vitamin/mineral supplementation. The ultimate goal is to minimize muscle loss during anti-cancer therapy and maximize muscle growth during the recovery process, enhancing general health and prediction, including the ability to withstand therapy and increase survival rates.