The ongoing treatments for polycythemia vera (PV) can sometimes interfere with appetite. But if you’re getting regular blood withdrawals or undergoing chemotherapy, there’s no understating the importance of eating a healthy diet.
In particular, “Eating a well-balanced, Mediterranean-based diet” can help minimize some of the complications from PV, says Stacy Morig, RD, an oncology dietitian with Dartmouth Cancer Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire. Plus, “Making small changes to their diet can also help people feel better overall.”
Here are four things you can do today to shore up your diet.
1. Follow a Mediterranean Style of Eating
Eating a Mediterranean-style diet — rich in fish, fruits and vegetables, nuts, vegetable oils and whole grains — can help prevent heart disease. That makes it a particularly good choice for people with PV, because the cancer causes an overproduction of red blood cells. And that increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, or pulmonary embolism (a blood clot in the lungs).
Even if you don’t follow a Mediterranean diet plan exactly, try eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, olive oil, and whole grains, while limiting added sugar, highly processed foods, and saturated fat, says Morig.
2. Try to Eat a Little Bit, As Often As You Can
Some people with PV will lose weight from the disease, because the spleen has to work overtime to clear out the extra red blood cells, which can cause the organ to grow larger. That can then lead to abdominal pain, bloating, and feelings of fullness, even after you’ve only eaten a little bit.
If you’re struggling with weight loss, try to eat nutritious, high-calorie foods, such as a nutritional supplement or protein-rich snack (think: peanut butter and a banana, full-fat yogurt with fruit and nuts, or cheese and crackers), whenever you’re able. You can also work with a registered dietitian experienced in both nutrition and oncology. Together, you can create a balanced eating plan that gives you the nutrition you need.
3. Pay Attention to Iron Intake
As many as 60 percent of people with PV have an iron deficiency, which can cause fatigue.
But while many people with an iron deficiency can take an iron supplement or a multivitamin containing iron, people with PV can’t.
“We generally try to avoid supplementing with iron, because that will cause you to make more red blood cells and add fuel to the fire,” says Jacqueline S. Garcia, MD, a medical oncologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston.
You can get extra iron from food, such as beans, meat, and spinach. Just be sure not to eat too much of it. For example, Dr. Garcia suggests steering clear of any fad diet that features excessive amounts of red meat. “I don’t restrict the amount someone eats, but I recommend eating a regular amount within the daily requirements,” she says. (Also, be sure to eat plant-based, iron-rich foods along with a food or drink containing vitamin C, such as a glass of orange juice, to help with iron absorption.)
For adults, the Recommended Dietary Allowance for iron is usually 8 milligrams per day, but women ages 19 to 50 need 18 milligrams.
4. Focus on Certain Types of Fiber if You Have Gastrointestinal Side Effects
Treatments such as chemotherapy may cause gastrointestinal side effects, including diarrhea and constipation, says Morig.
To address diarrhea, she recommends prioritizing foods that contain soluble fiber. “Soluble fibers act like a gel and can help absorb water in the intestines, [which adds bulk to the stool]” she says. Foods that contain soluble fiber include applesauce, citrus, pears, cooked carrots, green beans, and sweet potatoes.
If you are dealing with constipation, Morig recommends dried fruit, vegetables, and whole grains, which provide both insoluble and soluble fibers to encourage bowel movements.
If diet alone isn’t helping, talk to your clinician about stool softeners or laxatives to improve regularity, she adds.
The Takeaway
A Mediterranean-style diet may help ward off heart complications from polycythemia vera and improve your overall well-being.
Include more fruits and vegetables, nuts, olive oil, and whole grains in your diet.
Iron-rich foods, such as spinach and meat, can boost your iron intake and help prevent iron deficiency.
Work with an oncology dietitian to develop an eating plan for your nutritional needs.
