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Medical Foods for Cancer Patients

Medical Food for Cancer Patients

Medical food refers to food produced specifically for medical nutrition therapy. It contains major nutrients such as protein, carbohydrates, and fats, secondary nutrients like vitamins and minerals, and other components such as fiber. Medical food differs from regular food by helping patients who are malnourished or unable to eat normally receive complete and nutritionally accurate nourishment.

How Medical Food Helps Cancer Patients
  • Maintain weight at an appropriate level: When a person has cancer, the body’s metabolism functions abnormally, causing excessive energy burning that leads to weakness. This impacts immunity and the body’s readiness for treatment, and can potentially lead to patient death from malnutrition.
  • Prevent weakened immunity and muscle wasting due to protein deficiency: Cancer causes an overactive metabolism, prompting the body to abnormally deplete proteins, leading to weight and muscle loss. It also results in weakened immunity because the body lacks enough protein to produce white blood cells, leaving it too weak to undergo treatment.
  • More accommodating for cancer patients than regular food: In addition to offering complete nutrients or high protein tailored for cancer patients, medical cancer food comes in a ready-to-mix powder or ready-to-drink liquid form. This makes it easy for cancer patients experiencing loss of appetite or oral sores to consume and receive full nutrition.
How to Ensure Cancer Patients Receive Adequate Nutrition

Weight loss or malnutrition can affect a cancer patient’s treatment course. Therefore, patients or caregivers should manage dietary intake as follows:

  • Receive adequate daily energy from food:
    • Women should receive 1,600 – 2,000 kilocalories / day.
    • Men should receive 1,800 – 2,400 kilocalories / day. Patients should consume energy from all 5 food groups, avoiding saturated and trans fats. Since cancer patients often experience loss of appetite, eat small amounts at a time, and suffer abnormal weight loss, meals can be divided into several smaller portions throughout the day if three main meals cannot be managed.
  • Consume high amounts of protein: A symptom of cancer is altered metabolism, which burns body nutrients including muscle protein, causing emaciation and weakness. When protein is insufficient, the body cannot produce white blood cells for immunity, weakening the immune system. Therefore, cancer patients should consume high-quality proteins such as fish, chicken, pork, and eggs—at a minimum of 9–10 ladles—or use high-protein medical foods designed for cancer patients.
  • Drink plenty of water: Cancer patients should drink at least 8 glasses per day or 2 – 2.5 liters to compensate for fluid loss from diarrhea and prevent dehydration.
  • Do not forget vitamins and fiber from fruits and vegetables: To help inhibit cancer growth and spread and enhance immune resistance, cancer patients should consume yellow-orange vegetables, citrus fruits, and nuts to obtain beta-carotene, vitamin C, and vitamin E, which support and nourish the body during cancer treatment.
Key Nutrients in Food for Cancer Patients

The symptoms of cancer and the side effects of treatment cause muscle wasting and emaciation due to a lack of energy, protein, and various nutrients. Therefore, medical food for cancer patients should consist of:

  • Carbohydrates, proteins, and fats in proportions of approximately 50–61% for carbohydrates, 21–25% for protein, and 18–25% for fat.
  • Essential active components such as Arginine, Glutamine, Omega-3 Fatty Acids (EPA), and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA), which help repair muscles and compensate for energy deficits.
NEO-MUNE: Doctor-Recommended Medical Food for Cancer Patients

NEO-MUNE is a high-energy and high-protein medical food formula for cancer patients, providing complete nutrition with a blend of glutamine, arginine, and fish oil. It is suitable for cancer patients before, during, and after treatment, and supports long-term care.

  • Glutamine: An amino acid that helps boost immune cells like white blood cells, prevents infections in immunocompromised patients, and assists in recovering and repairing damaged tissue—especially in cancer patients undergoing treatments that affect the gastrointestinal tract. It also serves as an alternative energy source during times of weakness or energy deficiency.
  • Arginine: Stimulates the production of nitric oxide in the body, which dilates blood vessels and improves blood circulation. It also supports wound healing by stimulating collagen creation in tissues, helping wounds heal faster while enhancing muscle building and tissue repair to restore patient strength.
Who is NEO-MUNE High-Protein Medical Food Suitable For?
  • Cancer patients
  • Patients experiencing high stress from malnutrition
  • Patients requiring increased nutrition post-surgery
  • Patients with accidents or burn wounds
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
  • Which brand of medical food is best for cancer patients? ▶ Choosing medical food for cancer patients is crucial because it must provide complete and appropriate nutrition for the patient’s physical condition. “Medical food” refers to specialized formulas designed to be nutritionally complete and suited to specific patient groups, such as those with diabetes, kidney disease, cancer, or special nutritional needs. They feature adjusted proportions of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and fiber backed by medical research to ensure safety and real-world efficacy. These foods are generally easier to digest and absorb than regular meals, ensuring complete energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals. When choosing a product, consider standardized brands like Thai Otsuka, which is suitable for cancer patients under medical guidance. These products feature carbohydrates from dextrin, fats from MCT oil, and casein protein from cow’s milk—offering high nutritional value along with essential vitamins and minerals to support recovery.
  • What can cancer patients eat? ▶ Cancer patients should consume easily digestible foods with high-quality protein, such as fish meat, egg whites, beans, or specialized protein supplements for cancer patients like medical foods, which provide complete energy and nutrients under medical guidance.
  • Can healthy individuals consume NEO-MUNE? ▶ Yes. Besides serving as medical food for cancer patients, NEO-MUNE is a nutritionally complete, high-protein medical food suitable for both patients and healthy individuals looking to boost protein intake—such as the elderly, those recovering from wounds, or anyone wanting to support overall physical strength.
  • How many flavors does NEO-MUNE come in? ▶ NEO-MUNE comes in 3 flavors: Vanilla, Japanese Melon, and Japanese Rice.
  • Where can I buy NEO-MUNE? ▶ NEO-MUNE is available at pharmacies, hospitals, and official online stores:
    • Lazada: Otsuka Official Store
    • Shopee: Thai Otsuka Official
    • Facebook: Thai Otsuka Nutrition Club
    • LINE OA: @thaiotsuka
    • Instagram: @thaiotsuka
  • When should I consume NEO-MUNE / How many meals per day / How to consume? ▶ It can replace main meals or serve as a meal supplement 1–3 times per day according to a doctor’s recommendation, depending on individual protein and energy needs. Consume between meals or after meals to supplement energy and protein. Mix with room-temperature or warm water, stir well, and consume immediately.
  • How much does NEO-MUNE cost? ▶ One can of NEO-MUNE (400 grams) costs approximately 500 baht. Check the latest prices and promotions at official online stores.
  • What is the protein source in NEO-MUNE / Does it contain cow’s milk? ▶ The protein in NEO-MUNE comes from casein, an extracted protein from cow’s milk, which accounts for 70% of the formula’s protein source (meaning it does contain cow’s milk ingredients). It is further fortified with essential amino acids: 10% glutamine and 20% arginine to supply energy for efficient immune cell division and stimulate tissue repair. (Individuals allergic to cow’s milk protein or lactose should consult a physician before consuming.)
  • Does NEO-MUNE contain immune-boosting nutrients / What types of patients is it used for? ▶ NEO-MUNE contains immune-boosting nutrients like glutamine and arginine. It is used for individuals with malnutrition, those with increased nutritional demands post-surgery or after accidents, cancer patients, burn victims, and patients with sepsis.
📌 For more information:
  • Facebook: Thai Otsuka Nutrition Club
  • LINE OA: @thaiotsuka
  • Instagram: @thaiostuka
  • Where to buy: Hospitals and pharmacies nationwide, or online via Otsuka Official Store on Lazada and Shopee.

Medical foods must be used under medical supervision.