The Effects of a Neutropenic Diet on Immunosuppressed Patients

Having the correct range of white blood cell count allows the body to protect itself against harmful bacteria and fight against infection. When the body has low white blood cell counts, it is very susceptible to infection, and bacteria that enter the body pose a dangerous threat. Patients with immunosuppression, especially cancer patients, are often placed on a neutropenic diet in order to reduce bacteria entering the body. Food is a great transportation system for harmful bacteria to enter the body and cause serious infections. The neutropenic diet reduces the bacteria in foods by eliminating raw and uncooked fruits and vegetables, as well as other items. Certain cancer treatments can impact immunosuppressed patients’ situations very dramatically, and bacteria that may not affect the average person can be life-threatening for them. The evidence supporting the neutropenic diet is limited and the benefits of it are controversial. However, despite the lack of evidence, physicians and registered dieticians do continue to prescribe the neutropenic diet. This is because it is not certain whether the diet does benefit the patient in the fight against infections. The use of the neutropenic diet is often prescribed based on the rationale that eliminating potentially harmful bacteria to those with neutropenia will provide a safer internal environment, and a better situation for facing their illness. This study will analyze the necessity and benefits of using the neutropenic diet for patients with cancer and immunosuppression