Alternative nutrition therapies in cancer patients.
OBJECTIVES: To review diet guidelines on selected alternative nutrition therapies, and the origins, limitations, and implication of these recommendations. DATA SOURCES: Clinical research articles on alternative nutrition therapy. CONCLUSION: Alternative nutrition therapy will continue to receive increasing scrutiny as research in science and technology develops. Individual needs vary widely; there is not one perfect diet for everyone. However, nutrition/diet plays a major role in cancer care and patients need to be educated about safe alternative nutrition therapy. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Whatever decision patients make regarding alternative nutrition therapies, support should be provided so that communication is increased between the patient and the health care team.