MGUS diet: Any tips on food to enjoy or prevent progression?

Hi @sstillwell, welcome. Let me bring some fellow MGUS members into this conversation like @kandc317 @iain49 @auntieoakley @cctoo @dazlin @momofthree1 @susangs and @gingerw who may have some thoughts about MGUS and diet.

Susan, have you ever consulted with an oncology dietitian to ask about diet and MGUS? Did you know that there are dietitians who specialize in cancer nutrition?

I wish I could say that diet stopped James from getting myeloma, but he was actually diagnosed late stage myeloma. The good news is that it was still very treatable. He was pretty happy when the hematologist at Mayo said he ate very well, and could add a small glass of red wine to his diet. We typically eat a little meat, a few times per week. The rest of our meals are typically plant based, with an eye to making sure we get protein. There is an awful lot of variety to salads here. We just throw in anything. Vitamin D is a big one for us, so we have to have supplements. I highly recommend you get as educated as you can get. If you haven’t already I would suggest going to the international myeloma foundation and reading what you can. They have a surprising amount of information, and even a helpline. I put MGUS in the search line and found a list of articles. Take heart not everyone who has MGUS gets myeloma. Here is a link to that search….. at least I hope it works.
https://www.myeloma.org/search?keys=MGUS

Thank you for the "tag in" @colleenyoung

@sstillwell First of all, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I see you joined as a member a while back but this is your first post. I'll bet you have spent considerable time reading posts and different ideas! At least, that is what happened to me. There is so much to learn here, isn't there?

I didn't have MGUS for very long before being elevated to active myeloma. I have been following a fairly strict renal diet for many years due to kidney disease, so my food plan didn't really change. As @auntieoakley mentioned, eating healthy is a big thing, and not too difficult to do. Check with your dr about getting a consult with an educated dietician. The more information you have, the calmer and more prepared you are. And, remember, not all MGUS morphs in to multiple myeloma!
Ginger

My hematologist has never mentioned diet and, I have to admit, I’ve never thought about it. Something to think about though for when I see her next.

Hello @susangs do you have a diagnosis of MGUS, or myeloma? Can you tell me more?

My MGUS was an incidental finding about ten years ago. I have labs and a hematologist consult once a year. During this ten year period, my labs go up and down, sometimes dramatically, but I’m not considered high risk for myeloma at this point.

I am so glad you have no sign of it turning. That is a hopeful reminder to others that every MGUS doesn’t mean an imminent cancer diagnosis. Thank you for sharing that. Are there any steps that you have taken to be proactive in this?

Hi Colleen, thank you - I will check on that. Thanks for adding others with MGUS.

Hi Chris,

Yes lots of research on diet and progression. Limited info. I found trial results supporting NEEM, Alpha Lipoic acid, Pycnogenol and vitamins/minerals to help with immunity.

Thank you,

Thank you - I will look at the website.