Understanding Chemo Brain

10. Nutrition

Foods rich in healthy fats and anti-inflammatory nutrients may enhance brain health. DHA, a type of omega-3 fatty acid, is the brain’s most abundant fatty acid, and EPA has important anti-inflammatory properties. Increasing consumption of dietary sources of omega-3 fats such as cold-water fish, flax seeds, dark leafy greens, and fish oil supplements can help combat oxidative stress and inflammation in the brain and throughout the body. Refined sugars increase inflammation in the body. An article by the Breast Cancer Research and Treatment journal reported that sugar comprised over 30% of the daily caloric intake of some chemotherapy patients, although the World Health Organization advises that no more than 10% of daily calories should come from added sugars. Animal studies show that sugar may increase inflammation and halt new nerve growth in the hippocampus, an area of the brain responsible for discrimination memory.