Fighting Muscle Wasting with Nutrition: Cancer Care Strategies

Muscle loss — known as cachexia — is one of the toughest challenges people face during cancer treatment. It can sap strength, slow recovery, and affect daily life. But the good news? Nutrition and lifestyle changes can make a real difference.

In this powerful episode, host Christina Rollins, RDN sits down with Hannah Manella, MS, RDN, CES, an oncology dietitian and clinical exercise physiologist at Northwestern’s Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center. Together, they unpack:

✅ What cachexia really is — and why it matters
✅ How nutrition and movement protect strength and improve outcomes
✅ Practical strategies to boost protein and calories, even with appetite loss
✅ Tips for caregivers and when to involve a dietitian
✅ Real-world tools to support muscle health during treatment

💡 Whether you’re a patient, caregiver, or clinician, this conversation is packed with actionable insights to help fight muscle wasting and improve quality of life during cancer care.

Continue learning at fucancer.health.