Improve Your AML Management: Boost Well-being Through Nutrition and Exercise
For individuals undergoing treatment for Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), maintaining good health and well-being is essential. While the treatment process can take a toll on the body, adhering to a balanced diet and regular exercise regimen can help manage side effects, boost the immune system, and promote overall recovery.
**Nutrition Tips:**
A balanced diet is crucial during AML treatment, focusing on fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to manage treatment side effects and support overall health. When digestive issues arise, opt for gentle, easy-to-digest foods such as plain bagels, white rice, pasta, peeled potatoes, and ripe bananas. As tolerance improves, gradually add more fiber and variety to your diet.
Ensuring adequate protein intake is vital for healing and maintaining muscle mass. Incorporate lean meats like chicken and fish, rich in omega-3 fatty acids (e.g., salmon), and protein drinks providing at least 16-20 grams of protein per serving, especially if appetite is poor.
Food safety is paramount during AML treatment, as immune function is often compromised. Avoid raw or undercooked foods to reduce infection risk. Include nutrient-rich broths and maintain hydration to support recovery and metabolism.
**Exercise Tips:**
Regular, moderate exercise is key to improving cardiovascular health, reducing muscle wasting, and enhancing overall physical function during and after AML treatment. Exercise should be tailored to the patient's energy levels and treatment phase, starting slowly and gradually increasing intensity to manage fatigue without setbacks.
Exercise promotes heart muscle protection, improves oxygen consumption, metabolic function, and may counteract sarcopenia (muscle loss) associated with cancer treatments. Additionally, physical activity supports mental well-being by reducing fatigue-related frustration and improving mood.
In conclusion, patients with AML should focus on a nutrient-rich, protein-adequate diet with easy-to-digest foods during active treatment phases and engage in regular, tailored physical exercise to support cardiovascular, muscular, and mental health. Coordination with healthcare providers is essential to customize diet and exercise plans safely throughout treatment.
- A well-rounded diet comprising of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains helps manage side effects of Acute Myeloid Leukemia treatment and supports overall health.
- To ensure healing and maintain muscle mass, incorporate foods rich in lean proteins like chicken, fish, and protein drinks, which provide at least 16-20 grams of protein per serving.
- Maintain food safety by avoiding raw or undercooked foods during AML treatment, as immune function is often compromised, which reduces infection risk.
- Regular, moderate exercise can improve cardiovascular health, reduce muscle wasting, and enhance overall physical function during and after AML treatment.
- Physical activity encourages heart muscle protection, boosts oxygen consumption, metabolic function, and may combat muscle loss associated with cancer treatments, while also supporting mental well-being.
