Fiber-packed foods that help your gut fight melanoma

Melanoma is the most aggressive and dangerous type of skin cancer diagnosed that accounts for about 1% of all skin cancers. According to new statistics by the American Cancer Society, about 96,480 cases will be diagnosed for 2019. The rates of melanoma have been on the rise for the last 30 years now, according to the report.

It is a type of skin cancer where melanin, i.e., the cells that give color to the skin, start becoming cancerous. The symptoms for this illness include a new, unusual growth or change in an existing mole, and they may appear anywhere on the body. The treatment for this type of cancer involves surgery, radiation, or, in some cases, even chemotherapy, along with medications.

For most illnesses, diet is an important factor in treatment and recovery. Some studies suggest that a high-fiber diet could be helpful in the treatment of melanoma. The American Association for Cancer Research presented their findings earlier this year, which suggested that patients who are being treated with anti-PD-1 immunotherapy responded well to a high-fiber diet that was associated with a higher gut microbiome diversity. The research is still new, and needs a bigger sample size, of course, but a healthy diet nonetheless is never a bad idea!

So keeping your gut healthy is not just great for digestion, but also helps in cancer therapy. Let’s look at some foods that you can add to your diet that may help your treatment.

Vegetables

Sweet potatoes, brussels sprouts, corn, onions, leeks, artichoke hearts, pumpkins, broccoli, and lentils are some of the examples of high-fiber vegetables that can be added to your diet.

It is advised that adults should consume at least 30 grams of fiber daily to maintain a healthy diet. Some plant-based foods contain fructans, which are high-fiber natural carbs that are more likely to survive longer in the gut, thus improving its health. Some vegetables that have a high fructan count are onions, garlic, artichokes, leeks, asparagus, broccoli, cabbage,

Fruits

Essentially, there are about seven types of fibers: cellulose, inulin, pectins, beta-glucans, psyllium, lignin, and resistant starch. Pectins, a soluble fiber, in simple terms controls the blood sugar levels. They can be found in large amounts in apples, strawberries, and citrus fruits. Lignin is another type of insoluble fiber that is also known to reduce the risk of developing colon cancer. Some fruits that have high amounts of lignin are avocados and bananas. Some other fruits that you can put on your lists are pears, watermelon, oranges, figs. They are sure to add some taste and texture to your plate!

Whole grains
Quick trivia: do you know how much fiber is high-fiber? Foods labeled “high in fiber” must contain at least 5 grams of fiber in each serving. Some examples of high-fiber whole grains that have are quinoa, bulgur wheat, pearled barley, oatmeal, whole wheat bread, rye, buckwheat, corn, wheat, and wild rice.

When you are choosing whole-grain bread, make sure you go for the seven-grain, dark rye, cracked wheat, or pumpernickel bread as their fiber content is much higher! Apart from this, nuts and seeds are a good choice for increasing your fiber intake in the body.

Having a diversity of gut microbiome is considered to be good to possibly fight against melanoma. As mentioned, there are various kinds of fiber that you can consume, and while high-fiber is the generic umbrella term, it is always good to know about your food before you consume it. Consider planning a strict diet for yourself after you consult with your doctor, and see how it affects your energy, and bodily response to recovery treatments, and you can always customize the grocery list accordingly!