A Healthy You: Physical Activity, Nutrition, and Fatigue

By Cindy Gates, RD, LDPhysical activity is an essential part of good health. People who are active over a long period of time are at lower risk for many types of cancer. For cancer survivors, studies suggest exercise is beneficial in improving quality of life and long-term prospects for survival. Exciting new research shows that exercising during and after your cancer treatments, maybe the best thing you can do for yourself. Fatigue is the number one side effect of cancer and its treatment and affects nearly 100 percent of patients. It is clear that exercise reduces fatigue.Physical activity quality of life benefits:

• improve fitness and balance

• enhances self-esteem
• may reduce fatigue
• improves mood
• reduces anxiety
• enhances long-term prospects for survival and reduces risk for cancer recurrence
• improves functioning of the immune system
• reduces stress
• helps to achieve and maintain a health weight
• decreases percentage of body fat

The following are some general guidelines for when to stop or skip exercise:

• fever greater than 100 degrees
• early states of an active infection
• uncontrolled pain or nausea
• dizziness
• shortness of breath in disproportion to the amount of work you are doing
• chest pain or irregular heart rate
• platelets less than 50,000 per micoliter
• severe bone and joint pain Nutrition help for fatigue
• adequate hydration
• don’t skip meals
• get your Vitamin D level checked. Vitamin D deficiency can cause fatigue
• combine protein and carbohydrates to avoid fluctuating blood sugars
• adequate protein which rebuilds and repairs damaged body tissues
• limit sugar
• make an appointment to see Cindy Gates RD,LD dietitian at June Nylen Cancer Center, 712-252-9425.

Physical activity can help you take control of your body, and in the process give you strength, courage and confidence.A Healthy You is a regular column about nutrition, healthy living and cancer care. It is written by Cindy Gates, RD and LD and the Cancer Center’s Oncology dietitian, herbalist and Certified Wellness Coach.