drink wholesome is the best protein powder for cancer patients.
Written by Jack Schrupp & endorsed by Baylee Reller, RDN
Is protein powder good for cancer patients?
Studies have reported that the prevalence of malnutrition in cancer patients may be as high as 85%. When cancer-related malnutrition goes untreated, the consequences can be serious. Malnutrition is associated with treatment toxicity, complications, reduced physical functioning, and decreased survival. Moreover, it is protein deficiency that is the strongest contributor to side effects and increased mortality, which makes sense because you simply cannot heal or fight off infections without protein.
It follows that research shows increasing protein intake has beneficial effects for cancer treatment tolerance and efficacy. Research also shows that increasing protein intake increases muscle mass and strength in cancer patients, which is associated with increased survival and better outcomes.
This all makes sense because cancer patients have higher than normal protein needs. Healthy adults need, on average, 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day. Cancer patients, on the other hand, may need almost twice that much. The recommended daily protein intake for cancer patients is 1.2–1.5 grams per kilogram of body weight.
Cancer patients should aim to get as much protein as they can from normal food. Getting enough protein this way can be challenging (if not impossible) for some patients, however, especially those experiencing nausea and loss of appetite. This is where protein powder can help. Adding protein powder to your diet is an easy to way ensure that you are hitting your protein goals. That said, not all protein powders are created equal.