A frequent question from blood cancer, and other cancer, patients is about diet and whether there are specific foods they should try to eat or that they should avoid.

While there are various anecdotal claims about particular diets, and some small studies, there is no solid peer reviewed data to suggest any particular diet being beneficial for blood cancer.

There is however some guidance on foods to avoid, this is mostly about avoiding foods which carry a high risk of infection due to our immune compromised state, such as unpasteurized dairy and raw meats.

The USA’s National Institutes of Health has some information on this here

https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/blood-diseases/aplastic-anemia-myelodysplastic-syndromes/eating-diet-nutrition

With a link to the Food Safety Agency’s guide “People at Risk: Those with Weakened Immune Systems” here

https://www.foodsafety.gov/people-at-risk/people-with-weakened-immune-systems

Some related reading on vitamins and supplements and neutropenia by Adrian and Lisa

Can Intravenous Vitamin C cure my blood cancer? An approach to supplements and healthy eating