Wednesday 22 May 2013

Nutrition for patients treated for cancer




This may be of interest

Author(s):Mabel Blades, (Nutrition and Dietetic Services, Rushden, UK)
Citation:Mabel Blades, (2013) "Nutrition for patients treated for cancer", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 43 Iss: 3, pp.236 - 242

Article type:General review


Publisher:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Abstract:
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine nutritional interventions for patients being treated for cancer.
Design/methodology/approach – This study comprises a literature review plus discussions with registered dietitians.
Findings – A total of 40 per cent of those with cancer are found to have some form of malnutrition. Assessment of malnutrition is recommended. A number of nutrition interventions were found which can be applied in a practical situation.
Research limitations/implications – This paper is a literature review plus discussions, not intervention studies.
Practical implications – The paper may provide practical nutritional applications which can be used by those working with patients being treated for cancer.
Social implications – This paper provides information for those working with people undergoing treatments for cancer.

Sunday 12 May 2013

PMS and Diet

Pre-menstrual syndrome  (PMS)  plagues many women's lives yet diet can have a beneficial impact.

A colleague has written this really useful book on the subject

Hope it helps

Coping with PMS in Four Steps

The four step Approach to PMS? by Gaynor Bussell. Kindle 
book. ISBN: 978-1-909795-00-6. 
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Coping-PMS-Four-Steps-ebook/dp/B00CQOSDRK/ref=sr_1_50?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1368343311&sr=1-50&keywords=pms

 Coping with PMS in four steps using a lifestyle and diet approach. A 
balanced diet, low glycaemic index diets, useful supplements and 
controlling stress and chronic conditions by encouraging weight-loss and 
physical activity.

Wednesday 8 May 2013

Older people and malnutrition


New Malnutrition Guide for UK WILL Save Lives and Tens of Millions 
of Pounds Each Year

A brand new guide is being launched on 9th May 2013 called Prevention and Early Intervention of Malnutrition in Later Life (best practice principles and implementation guide). The guide, jointly produced by the British Dietetic Association and the Malnutrition Task Force, sets out and defines the principles of best
practice, the moral, legal, quality and financial case for changes in tackling malnutrition in people in later life in the UK.  The guide goes a step further and presents real practical advice and support for health care,
social care and care provided by voluntary organisations to deliver the changes needed to combat the current levels of malnutrition in the UK.

The British Dietetic Association (BDA) is the professional association for registered dietitians in the UK.  It is the nation’s largest organisation of food and nutrition professionals with over 7,000 members.  It is also the
trade union for registered dietitians in the UK.

The Malnutrition Task Force (MTF) is an independent group of experts across health, social care and local government who have joined forces to address the problem of preventable malnutrition and dehydration in older people living in the UK.

Speaking about the launch of the new guide, Helen Davidson, Honorary Chairman of the BDA, said: “For far too long, malnutrition and dehydration has been thought of as a third world problem.  The reality is, malnutrition and dehydration is a very big problem here in the UK.  The BDA’s recent Mind the Hunger Gap
campaign highlighted that on any given day malnutrition and dehydration blight the lives of around one million older people in their own homes in our communities in the UK.  That figure doesn’t take into account those in a hospital or care home settings, so you can begin to see the sheer scale of  the problem. “What is unique about this new guide is, it doesn’t just present the problem, it also sets out some of the solutions needed to address it and make life so much better for so many people.  It also identifies the tens of  millions of pounds that tackling malnutrition could save.  The British Dietetic Association is extremely proud to have worked on this guide that has so much potential to do so much good.

Dianne Jeffrey, Chairman of MTF, added: "One in ten older people are malnourished and 93% of them are in the community. This is where it starts for many people, so we must make every effort to improve prevention and early detection of malnutrition. “There are many different causes and factors that contribute to malnutrition and addressing them requires the concerted effort of all stakeholders. Together we can combat preventable malnutrition effectively and thus improve the health of older people, maintain their independence and save money for the local health economy too."

Some of the savings identified by tackling malnutrition include:

• Fully implementing NICE guidance will result in better nourished patients, fewer hospital admissions, reduced length of stay for admitted patients and reduced demand for GPs.
• NICE identified malnutrition as the sixth largest source for NHS savings.
• Early identification and treatment of malnutrition in adults could save the NHS £45.5 million a year even after costs of training and screening.
• The overall resource impact of increased screening, early intervention and appropriate treatment could lead to a saving of £71,800 per 100,000 people for the average community.
• Tackling dehydration across the NHS could save £950 million in the UK.
• The use of oral nutritional supplements is associated with a reduction of overall hospital re-admissions by 30%.
• Regular screening and monitoring all people in care homes has been shown to cost half the amount of treating those who are malnourished.

For a full copy of Preventing and Treating Malnutrition in Later Life, please
go to www.bda.uk.com/news/130507MalnutritionGuide.html.

Friday 3 May 2013

MAY




Apple Blossom
May is always a lovely month with the spring flowers really blossoming. I have resolved to try and do more regular  blogs and hope you like this one


What better time of year could there be to celebrate International Mediterranean
 Diet Month? The flowering trees, bright sun, blue skies, and return of outdoor
seating at our favorite cafes reminds us of the beautiful Mediterranean and the
delicious diversity of its culinary traditions.



May is International Mediterranean Diet Month. [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=0019lQL14IR06ZEtsxA9qIq4dKjPSekybbtPiQvzqDWHygGYFHoojlDqpw3IN
qiw33BdHQXVuZwfXH_doDhOITlJ5FHeEN8e7_uBAvJW-s0puOhTnJoUCBHtiBQpguZN96ap7JTmxktZ8c5XOWANN98tUY_i276MxAf7c56zIhcuBrgxWX
qMStRLWnWEdTuKqfaNUHkhxXgoXgi4Da3e7kBKXYFsWaA5KP9WVD1Ec5-UimAygAE2gxv7w8xPeaq-bxR2AHoRcHloeqqeGZHCZ8P9872l5aOwSE
MBiRZKzK4VfEVjmIi1N85r_gdO3suW46JNvGjezsDGIGe5nB6OFcINsaBTcggBzgr]
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Thursday 2 May 2013

NUTRITION FOR CANCER PATIENTS



Approximately 156,000 people died in 2010 in the UK from various types of cancer (Cancer research 2012). Screening and treatments now mean that many more people survive than did in the past.

Advice to those being treated for various types of cancer on nutrition can be of vital importance to both enhancing the outcome of treatments plus feelings of well being.
Unfortunately about 40% of those with cancer have been found to suffer from protein energy malnutrition 

Such malnutrition can markedly affect the outcome not to mention feelings of well being for the sufferer. Indeed patient demise can be severely exacerbated due to malnutrition.



This is a paper from me on the subject which is in Nutrition and Food Science


Table of contents:

Volume 43 issue 3 - Current Issue

Published: 2013

Icon: Earlycite.NUTRITION FOR PATIENTS TREATED FOR CANCER Mabel Blades
Article type: General review
Please login  [ PDF (310kb) ]



Wednesday 1 May 2013

Free Training in Nutrition

Education is changing so much and there are now on line courses --often free.

Indeed there are university degree courses which are on line.

In Australia there are a number of  on line courses --again some are free

http://www.nafwa.org/lma/directory/Free_e-Courses/Free_e-Courses.php


I had put details of  another course on my blog --but sadly someone hacked in and changed it with an advert --sad that someone can do this