The Importance of Diet in Reducing Chronic Fatigue in Cancer Patients

Chronic fatigue is a problem involving persistent tiredness despite adequate rest, reduced productivity, reluctance to act, withdrawal from social life and unhappiness.

Cancer-related chronic fatigue has been reported in 75-100% of patients with advanced cancer. Approximately 20% to 30 percent of survivors have also been found to experience chronic fatigue for 5 to 10 years after treatment.

Nutrition and Cancer published research on 8 February 2023 examining the importance and feasibility of dietary interventions for chronic fatigue after cancer treatment.

The Most Important Problem After Cancer Treatment

The study found chronic fatigue to be the most common problem after cancer treatment and a cause of psychological problems such as depression and anxiety that impair quality of life. Non-drug approaches include physical activity, cognitive behavioural therapy and mind–body practices such as yoga. However, barriers include physical and disease-related limitations, psychotherapy costs, travel and time.

A previous study in men with advanced lung cancer reported that fatigue affected activities of daily life even more than pain and was an important complaint.

Research has found that dietary interventions may help reduce fatigue, improve diet quality and lead to a better overall quality of life for cancer survivors.

Chronic disruption of inflammatory processes caused by cancer and its treatment not only worsens fatigue but also aggravates other treatment-related adverse effects affecting quality of life. Because of this link to inflammation, dietary interventions that reduce inflammatory markers are promising strategies.

This study followed patients who had completed lymphoma treatment for 3 months to assess effects of dietary intervention on chronic fatigue and quality of life. Diet plans were personalised to food preferences and cooking skills, helping patients make lifestyle changes. Their diets incorporated beneficial nutrients from whole grains, fruit, vegetables and oily fish.

The study found that participants whose diets were changed felt 78% less fatigue.

Another pilot randomised controlled study by Zick and colleagues in 30 breast cancer survivors found that foods containing fruit, vegetables, whole grains and omega-3 polyunsaturated fats significantly improved fatigue and sleep.

A sustainable dietary pattern recommended is the Mediterranean diet. Vegetables, fruit, whole grains and legumes should be eaten, while red meat, added sugar and highly processed foods should be reduced as much as possible.

Related topic: What Is the Mediterranean Diet? Why Is It the Best Diet? How Is It Followed?