The benefits of good nutrition are multiple. Besides helping you maintain a healthy weight, good nutrition is essential for the body and all its systems to function optimally for a lifetime. In fact, the benefits of good nutrition can be found in physical and mental health because a healthy diet provides energy, promotes good sleep, and gives the body what it needs to stay healthy. When you consider the benefits of good nutrition, it's easier to eat healthy.

The benefit of a high caloric diet has been beneficial to all in our support group, improving coordination, lessening choking, and improving moods. One person needed a feeding tube because the fear of choking had caused severe weight loss. After liquid feeding and gaining some weight back, this person regained enough coordination to begin taking some nutrition by mouth. Another person, had lost 50 pounds, and when given a 5000 calorie diet gained the weight back. This person now walks unassisted.

Selenium - Cancer Risk Reduction

Selenium may produce anticarcinogenic effects in the body. Some scientific evidence suggests that consumption of selenium may produce anticarcinogenic effects in the body. However, the FDA has determined that this evidence is limited and not conclusive.

Eating well means eating a variety of foods that provide the nutrients you need to maintain your health while fighting cancer. These nutrients include protein, water, vitamins, and minerals.

Nutrients

Protein: Protein is needed for growth, to repair body tissue, and to maintain a healthy immune system. Without enough protein, the body takes longer to recover from illness and has lower resistance to infection. People with cancer often need more protein than usual. Following surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy, additional protein is usually needed to heal tissues and to help prevent infection. Good sources of protein include lean meat, fish, poultry, dairy products, nuts, dried beans, peas and lentils, and soy foods.

Vitamins and Minerals

A cup of strawberries contains over 100 mg of vitamin C, almost as much as a cup of orange juice. We need vitamin C for a healthy immune system and for strong connective tissue to keep away the wrinkles. Strawberries also add a bit of calcium, magnesium, folic acid, and potassium and only 53 calories. A cup of blueberries offers a smaller amount of vitamin C and minerals, but don't forget about the lutein and phytochemicals for only 83 calories.

Water: Water and fluids are vital to our health. All body cells need water to function. If you do not take in enough fluids or if you are vomiting or have diarrhea, you may become dehydrated. In general, a person should drink about 8 glasses of water or clear liquid each day to be sure that all the body cells get the fluid they need.

Salmon Nutrition

Salmon is a highly nutritious food. Of course, it is high in protein, and the "good fats." But did you know that a 4 oz serving of wild salmon provides a full day’s requirement of vitamin D? It is one of the few foods that can make that claim.