Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory disorder that leads to severe ulceration of the digestive tract. It can be difficult to diagnose because its symptoms are similar to those of other intestinal disorders, particularly ulcerative colitis – another inflammatory bowel disease which affects only the colon. Crohn’s symptoms can also appear intermittently, occurring every few months to every few years for some people. In rare cases, the symptoms may appear once or twice and not return. If the disease continues for many years, bowel function gradually deteriorates. Left untreated, it can become extremely serious, even life threatening, and it may increase the risk of cancer by as much as twenty times.
Intestine Blockages
A common complication of the disease is blockage of the intestine caused by scar tissue that narrows the passageway. The disease may also cause sores, or ulcers, that break through to the surrounding tissues. These tunnels are called fistulas, and while they can be treated using medication, surgery is sometimes required. The ulcers leave thick scar tissue that narrows and hardens the tract, hindering elimination. This disease generally occurs in the last portion of the small intestine (ileum) and the beginning of the large intestine, but it can occur in any part of the digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus. The onset of Crohn’s disease usually takes place during adolescence or young adulthood. The condition must always be taken very seriously and sufferers must be under the care of a good doctor. Alert signs are diarrhea with a low grade fever, crampy abdominal pain from food residue, gas, distention, rectal bleeding, loss of appetite, and weight loss.
Malnutrion is a Frequent Result of Crohns
The chronic diarrhea prevents the absorption of vital nutrients, with malnutrition as a frequent result. Crohn’s disease is rare in “primitive” societies that follow diets based on whole, unprocessed food. In fact, the disorder was practically unheard of in the United States until the middle of this century, when consumption of refined and chemically treated products skyrocketed.
Food Allergies
Food allergies tend to afflict societies that rely on unnatural foods are also thought to play a significant factor in this disorder. Dietary therapy is a crucial component of any treatment plan for Crohn’s disease. Good eating habits will prevent many of the secondary disorders, like malnutrition and anemia. It is critical that digestive function also be improved with this condition.
Increased intestinal permeability is an issue that needs to be addressed. As well, flora imbalance and undiagnosed intestinal infection from parasites, harmful bacteria or yeast need to be tested and treated. 50% of Crohn’s sufferers have food allergies. Wheat intolerance is common. A poor diet with low fiber, too much sugar and fried foods is always involved. Smoking and a diet high in animal protein are risk factors.
Since there is no cure for Crohn’s disease, the goals of treatment are to control inflammation, relieve symptoms, and correct nutritional deficiencies – all of which can help keep Crohn’s disease in remission.
What you can Do To Achieve Remission
It isn't a single food that causes Crohn’s symptoms. It's ANY food that is high in fat, insoluble fiber, caffeine, coffee (even decaf), carbonation, or alcohol. Why? Because all of these food categories are either GI stimulants or irritants, and can cause violent reactions of your gastrocolic reflex. This directly affects the muscles in your colon and can lead to pain, constipation and diarrhea, gas, and bloating.
Determine What Foods Help or Hurt
The best treatment is learning to eat safely by realizing how different foods physically affect the GI tract, and how the same foods can help or hurt. Following the diet simply means learning how foods can prevent or trigger a spastic colon. If you can trace your symptoms to a particular food or foods, make it a priority to avoid those allergens.
The most reliable way to calm Crohn’s disease is to adhere to a good diet. You may find that the following suggestions advocate a drastic change from your present way of being, but the difference in the way you feel will be worth it.
A High Fiber Diet is a Must
For Crohn’s sufferers, a high-fiber diet is an absolute must. Although fiber may not sound appealing to you if you have diarrhea, it will actually regulate your bowels and soothe your digestive tract. Your diet should be based on high-fiber foods, especially whole Gluten-free grains, raw or lightly cooked vegetables, and legumes. You should slowly increase the amount of fiber-rich foods in your diet so that your body can adjust.
Use supplemental fiber. Psylium powder regulates bowel movements and should be used daily. You can also use oat bran and ground flaxseeds daily, on an alternating basis.
Increasing dietary fiber from fruit and vegetable sources rather than cereal sources may offer more benefit. Include fresh fruits, green salads with olive oil and lemon dressing, whole grain cereals like oatmeal or brown rice (not wheat) and steamed veggies. Eat a high fiber diet including plenty of fruits and vegetables, plus whole grains (especially brown rice) and legumes.
Diet
The proper diet makes a world of difference. For many, it makes the difference between living a normal, happy, outgoing life versus spending every single day stuck in the bathroom enduring blinding pain, bowel dysfunction, bloating, and other Crohn’s symptoms.
Replenish Your Friendly Bacteria
Crohn’s disease can deplete your intestines of friendly bacteria. Eat a cultured product such as live yogurt, kefir or sauerkraut every day. Take a probiotic.
Eat small, frequent meals. NO large meals.
Eat fruits alone, on an empty stomach.
Cut back on saturated fat (high-quality coconut oil is Ok). Stay away from red meat, butter, and margarine.
Avoid
Coffee and caffeine foods, sodas, nuts, seeds, dairy and citrus while healing.
White flour, white rice, wheat bran, both white and brown sugars.
Mucus-forming foods that encourage toxins to accumulate. Foods that promote mucus include all dairy products, fried and processed foods, refined flours and chocolate.
Sugary foods, sorbitol, mannitol
Wheat foods of all kinds.
Highly spiced foods are an irritant.
Drink Room Temperature Water
Drink a glass of clean water every two hours to ease the transit of waste matter and to keep your whole body functioning smoothly. Avoid ice-cold drinks, which inhibit digestion and may cause cramping.
Eat a Diet Consisting Mainly of Nonacidic Foods
Eat fresh or cooked vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, celery, garlic, kale, spinach, and turnips, carrots, lettuce, potatoes, yams, apples, papayas, bananas and sea greens. Steam, broil, boil or bake…never fry.
Stay Away From Processed Fats
Saturated, hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated fats disturb the intestines and are hard to digest.
Avoid refined carbohydrates
Do not consume such foods as boxed dry cereals or anything containing any form of sugar. Diets high in refined carbohydrates have been associated with Crohn’s disease. These foods must be eliminated from the diet.
Avoid Sweetners Such As Fructose
Recent research shows that many people with Crohn’s are sensitive to the sweetener fructose. It should be avoided or limited in the diet.
Limit Gas-Producing Foods
Limit your consumption of gas-producing foods such as beans, broccoli, and cabbage if they cause any problems.
Avoid Alcohol and Tobacco
Alcohol and Tabacco irritate the linings of the stomach and colon.
Add These to Your Diet
Brown rice, whole grains, wheat germ, hormone-free turkey, fish and seafood are good additions to our diet.
When an Intestinal Upset Occurs
Switch to a bland diet. Put vegetables and nonacidic fruits through a food processor or blender. Organic baby food is good. During an acute attack, eat steamed vegetables, and well-cooked brown rice, millet, and oatmeal.
Chew Your Food Well
Do not overeat or eat in a hurry.
To Reduce Nausea
Peppermint tea reduces nausea, relieves abdominal pain and has a calming effect.
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Do not take aspirin.
Avoid antacids. They often do more harm than good by neutralizing body HCL.
Consciously practice relaxation techniques like meditation and deep breathing exercises to reduce stress. Shallow breathing reduces the oxygen available for proper bowel function. Wear loose-fitting clothing. Do not wear anything that is tight around the waist.
Do not eat right before going to bed. Wait one or two hours after eating before lying down.
Recommend: Probiotic, raw apple cider vinegar and Aloe Vera juice
Peppermint is a hallowed remedy for digestive troubles. Take peppermint tea after meals, instead of having dessert. Use it with caution if you have acid reflux.
At bedtime drink a glass of warm water with a tablespoon of raw apple cider vinegar and a teaspoon of lemon juice.
Drugs such as corticosteroids and sulfasalazine, which are prescribed for inflammatory bowel diseases, and cholestyramine (Questran) increase the need for nutritional supplements. Corticosteroids depress protein synthesis and inhibit normal calcium absorption by increasing excretion of vitamin C in the urine. Deficiencies of other nutrients, such as zinc, potassium, vitamin 6, folic acid, and vitamin D, decrease bone formation and slow healing. Sulfasalazine inhibits the transport of folic acid and iron, causing anemia.
Psychological factors
Mental/emotional problems, e.g. anxiety, fatigue, hostile feelings, depression, and sleep disturbances, are reported by almost all patients with Crohn’s. Symptom severity and frequency tend to correlate with these psychological factors. Especially significant is sleep quality – poor sleep quality results in an increase in symptom severity.
Exercise
An increase in physical exercise also appears helpful. Many find that daily leisurely walks markedly reduce symptoms probably due to the known stress reduction effects of exercise.
Most people who have Crohn’s disease can lead active, productive lives if they change their diets, get regular exercise, and replace needed nutrients. Eating the correct diet, using supplemental fiber, and drinking plenty of quality water are very important in controlling Crohn’s disease.
Nutrients
Unless otherwise specified, the dosages recommended here are for adults. For a child between the ages of twelve and seventeen, reduce the dose to three-quarters of the recommended amount.
· L-glutamine: 500mg twice daily, on an empty stomach. Take with water or juice. Do not take with milk. Take with 50 mg vitamin B6 and 100mg vitamin C for better absorption: A major metabolic fuel for the intestinal cells; maintains the villi, the absorption surfaces of the gut
· Omega-3 essential fatty acids: Needed for repair of the digestive tract; reduces inflammatory processes. Studies show essential fatty acids may reduce Crohn’s symptoms and aid in maintaining remission
· Vitamin C (with bioflavonoids): 1,000 mg 3 times daily: Prevents inflammation and improves immunity. Use a buffered type
· Vitamin K: Vital to colon health. Deficiency is common in people with this disorder due to malabsorption and diarrhea.
· Zinc: 50mg daily. Do not exceed a total of 100mg daily from all supplements: Needed for the immune system and for healing. Use zinc gluconate lozenges
· Cat’s claw: has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects
“The nutritional suggestions in this material are not offered to treat, mitigate or cure disease, and should not be used as a substitute for sound medical advice. This information is designed to be used in conjunction with the services of a trained, licensed healthcare practitioner.”
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