What should Myelomics eat?

I have yet to find a Myelomic doc who will discuss the effects of food on myeloma. There doesn't seem to be any firm evidence that the food we eat has an effect on myeloma (although there are plenty of studies published on the effects of various foods on myeloma cell lines, including several in this blog). This leads me to believe that healthy eating is probably essential to a Myelomic's health.

We are inundated with information pertaining to the health benefits of eating foods which are rich in antioxidants.

In May, 2004, the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry published the first ever definitive listing of the antioxidant capacities of common foods in the U.S. Some of the highlights of this study include:

• 100 different foods, including fruits, vegetables, nuts, spices and cereals
• Samples taken directly from U.S. food markets in four different regions, 12 cities and two seasons
• Consistent analysis through the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay
• Measurement of both lipophilic (fat-based) and hyrophilic (water-based) antioxidant compounds

While this analysis cannot be correlated to clinical effects of eating specific foods, generally speaking oxidative stress (free radicals*) has been associated with many diseases, including cancer, heart disease and Parkinson's & Alzheimer's, through numerous studies. Diets rich in fruits and vegetables have been considered to be excellent sources of antioxidants, which are thought to trap free radicals, thereby removing their harmful effects.

Here is the listing of fruits from the report, based on Total Antioxidant Capacity per serving:

1. Low-bush blueberry 13427
2. Cultivated blueberry 9019
3. Cranberry 8983
4. Blackberry 7701
5. Raspberry 6058
6. Strawberry 5938
7. Red Delicious Apple 5900
8. Granny Smith 5381
9. Cherries, sweet 4873
10. Plums, black 4844

Others include Plums 4118, Gala Apple 3903, Red Delicious Apple (no peel) 3758, Golden Delicious Apple 3685, Fuji Apple 3578, Avocado 3344, Green Cultivar Pear 3172, Red Anjou Pear 2943, Golden Delicious Apple (no peel) 2829, Navel Orange 2540, Red Grapes 2016, Red Grapefruit 1904, Peaches 1826, Green Grapes 1789, Mango 1653, Tangerine 1361, Pineapple 1229, Nectarines 1019, Kiwifruit 698, Cantaloupe 499, Peaches (canned in heavy syrup) 411, Honeydew Melon 410, Watermelon 216

This is not to imply that foods like melons are not beneficial. All fruits contain a wide variety of wonderful nutrients, known as phytochemicals, that our bodies need to stay healthy. For example,

• Avocado contains monounsaturated fatty acids such as linoleic acid and vitamin E
• Bananas are rich in potassium
• Watermelon and Pink Grapefruit contain lycopene
• Fruits contain dietary fibre and complex carbohydrates

This list should be used to ensure the inclusion of at least some high antioxidant foods in our daily diet. Also, since this is the first definitive study of this nature, we'll need to see if future studies remain consistent.

Further, processing of food can have a large effect on antioxidant qualities. Removal of the peel is one factor that may lower antioxidant capacity, as indicated by lower values in apples where the peel has been removed.