FAQ
As people living with carcinoid and/or NETs we have many questions about how best to manage our health. Due to the flushing and other carcinoid syndrome symptoms, nutritional concerns are of special interest to Carcinod/NET suffers.
Should we follow a special diet?
Not necessarily.
You do not experience any carcinoid syndrome symptoms:
According to Ms Monica Warner of the Carcinoid Foundation (USA) if you are not experiencing any Carcinoid Syndrome symptoms then most people should follow a good healthy eating diet.
In Australia the recommended healthy eating guide as published in the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating is the one to follow. Of particular importance is the role of fresh fruit and vegetables in our diets - remember the 5 veg 2 fruits per day campaign.
You experience one or more carcinoid syndrome symptoms:
If you have one of more carcinoid syndrome symptoms then the recommendations are to follow a high protein - low fat diet.
Take a multivitamin/multi mineral supplement each day
Minimise or eliminate those foods that induce carcinoid syndrome for you.
Some of these can include
- alcohol,
- high fat foods,
- large meals and/or
- amine containing foods.
Remember: each person is an individual and what foods one person can tolerate another can't, so there is no blanket rule to avoid any specific foods.
The good news is that according to current research there appears to be no correlation between eating foods that trigger syndrome symptoms and tumour growth.
If eating something makes you feel uncomfortable or induces syndrome then cut back on the quantities or eliminate it from your diet.
