Nutrition can improve outcomes in cancer care

Malnutrition has many well-documented and negative effects for the cancer patient, including a negative prognosis, shorter survival, reduced response to treatment, higher hospital readmission rates and a lower quality of life.¹Martin, et al. J Clin Oncol. Published on 2015 At Danone Research & Innovation we study specific nutrients and their potential role in improving outcomes for cancer patients:

• The loss of lean body mass is linked to negative clinical outcomes.²Kazemi-Bajestani SMR, et al. Semin Cell Dev Biol. Published on 2016;54:2-10 ,³Malietzis G, et al. Eur J Surg Oncol. DOI: Published on 2014 10.1016/j.ejso.2014.10.056″,⁴Prado C, Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. Published on 2013;16:525–533 Cancer patients have higher protein needs than the general population, as highlighted in the ESPEN guidelines where it is recommended that cancer patients consume >1g of protein//kg of body weight and preferably 1.5g/kg13 (vs 0.75g/kg for the general healthy population).⁵Arends J, et al. ESPEN guidelines on nutrition in cancer patients Clin Nutr, Published on 2016; epub Therefore, providing the right amount of quality protein is a prerequisite in supporting the maintenance of muscle mass.

• Due to anti-inflammatory properties, the use of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) can help to stabilise or improve appetite, food intake, lean body mass and body weight, as highlighted in ESPEN guidelines on nutrition in cancer patients.⁶Arends J, et al. ESPEN guidelines on nutrition in cancer patients Clin Nutr, Published on 2016; epub

• Micronutrient deficiencies are highly prevalent in cancer patients due to reduced food intake, and can be further aggravated by cancer treatment.⁷Grober U et al. Nutrients. Published on 2016;8(3):163 ,⁸Ströhle A, et al. Oncology Reports. Published on 2010;24(4):815-28

• Dietary fibre is an essential component of a balanced diet, which is often limited in cancer patients.⁹Mardas del. et al. Support Care Cancer. Published on 2016;24:2619–2625 ,¹⁰Surwillo, et al. Rocz Panstw Zakl Hig. Published on 2013;64(3):225-233 Furthermore, patients undergoing chemo- and/or radiotherapy are more likely to suffer from diarrhoea. Therefore, delivering the right quality of fibre can help to improve stool consistency for these patients.¹¹Garcia-Peris P et al. Eur J Clin Nutr. Published on 2016;70(2):170-174

Evidence-based benefits of medical nutrition

There is a growing body of evidence that supports the use of medical nutrition in cancer patients. These studies on nutritional interventions in cancer patients show promising results on:

• Improving nutritional intake, reducing weight loss¹²Burden ST, et al. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle. Published on 2017 , ¹³Baldwin et al. J Natl Cancer Inst. Published on 2012;104(5):371-385 ,¹⁴Kabata P, et al. Support Cancer Care. Published on 2015 ;23(2) :365-70
• Improving quality of life¹⁵Baldwin et al. J Natl Cancer Inst. Published on 2012;104(5):371-385
• Reducing treatment related toxicities and complications¹⁶Burden ST, et al. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle. Published on 2017 ,¹⁷Baldwin et al. J Natl Cancer Inst. Published on 2012;104(5):371-385 ,¹⁸Kabata P, et al. Support Cancer Care. Published on 2015 ;23(2) :365-70
• Reducing length of hospital stay¹⁹Manasek V et al. Klin Onkol. Published on 2016 ,²⁰De Waele, et al. Appetite. Published on 2016;91:298-301