![]() It’s strange to think of it this way but we can “taste” things in the bloodstream. The saliva brings them to the taste cells and the cells send messages of “metallic” or “bitter” to neurons that lead to the brain. Like most medications the chemicals enter the bloodstream and they get into saliva that way. What about bad tastes, such as metallic or bitter sensations, instead of a lack of taste? They either attach to a cell or enter it, then destroy it. So the chemicals attack the taste cells as well. Taste cells turn over rapidly, too stem cells in the base of a taste bud regularly replenish the taste cells. How might that affect taste?Ĭancer cells proliferate rapidly, and most chemotherapies target rapidly growing cells. Why does chemotherapy ruin food’s appeal? Does radiation therapy, often involved, make matters worse? Scientific American asked Beverly Cowart, director of clinical research at the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia, to explain the mechanisms as well as strategies patients can use to make food more desirable.Ĭhemotherapy is supposed to work by killing cancer cells. Patients have no desire to eat and end up getting fewer calories and less nutrition when they need it most-to battle the cancer as well as the ravages of the therapy. Pasta tastes like cardboard, meat tastes metallic. ![]() ![]() People who go through chemotherapy say one of the most frustrating side effects is that even their favorite foods taste awful. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |