Crohn's Diet

Fact is there is no scientifically proven diet for inflammatory bowel disease. Most experts believe, though, that you can identify specific foods that trigger your gastrointestinal symptoms, particularly during disease flares. By avoiding your "trigger foods," you may find that your GI symptoms of gas, bloating, abdominal pain, cramping, and diarrhea are more manageable. At the same time, you will give your inflamed intestines time to heal. With Crohn's disease, it's important to follow a high-calorie, high-protein diet, even when you don't feel like eating.

A crohn's disease diet is NOT a diet to lose weight but rather to properly balance your food intake to utilize nutritional natural healing. To learn more about proper Crohn's Disease Diet, nutrition and IBD we have summarized different materials that we have found to be useful as an overallCrohn's Disease dietaryguide for patients of Crohn'sDisease and Ulcerative Colitis.

The Crohn's Disease Diet Suffers Interfered Digestive Process

The greatest amount of digestion takes place just beyond the stomach, in what we consider to be the workhorse of the digestive system, the small intestine. When food is processed in the small intestine, a combination of reactions take place, bile (digestive juices)which are produced from the pancreas and the liver are mixed with the food, breaking it down into small molecules by a churning action of the muscles of the intestinal walls. Sort of like a very powerful high tech washing machine. These small molecules are absorbed through the surface ofthe small intestine, which then are distributed to the rest of the body through the blood stream. Item’s that are not digested which are in the form of secretions and watery food residue are handed off to the colon (the large intestine). Our built in recycling system allows the colon toreabsorb much of the water, which is added to food in the small intestine. I think you can guess the next process, Yep! Undigested food residue, solids, are then passed from the large intestine as a bowel movement.

An inflamed intestine as in the case with Crohn's Disease is less able to fully absorb and digest the nutrients from food. Depending on how severe the small intestine has been injured by inflammation, vital nutrients as well as unabsorbed bile salts, may travel into thelarge intestine to a varying degree. This is why many Crohn's patients don’t have much of an appetite and are normally malnourished. To beat it down with a stick even more, when the undigested foods travel through the large intestine this causes interference with our waterrecycling process, described earlier, even if the colon itself is not damaged. Point blank – Malnutrition and diarrhea may be the results from CrohnsDisease and the devastating effect it plays on the small intestine. More severe diarrheaoccurs when the large intestine is also inflamed.

With Ulcerative Colitis, the large intestine is only inflamed resulting in proper recycling of water, which translates into severe diarrhea. The small intestine continues to function properly.

Maintaining or Achieving Normal Weight

Malnutrition is very common in Crohn's. In fact, Crohns disease patients appear to burn fat calories at a higher rate than the general population and most patients are underweight. Some experts recommend that children with IBD increase their calorie and protein intake by 150% ofthe daily recommended allowance for their specific ages and heights. Studies indicate that nutritional support in children is as important as medications for achieving remission. People whose weights are normal or no less than 90% of normal do not need to add extra calories.

Crohn's Disease Diet and Proteins. Proteins are very important for growth in children and for repair of cells. Diarrhea can cause protein deficiency and so IBD patients may need more protein than the general population. Patients might consider choosing fish and soy as primaryprotein sources. One study reported that a soy protein diet was particularly useful for patients who were intolerant to milk products. Oily fish, such as salmon and tuna, may be particularly beneficial in Crohns disease. Other options are poultry and lean meats. Dried beans and legumesalso provide protein.

Crohn's Disease Diet and Complex Carbohydrates. Complex carbohydrates found in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables should make up half of a patient's calories. Patients should select complex carbohydrates, which are also a good source of fiber. Fresh fruit (such as apples,grapefruit, oranges, plums, blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries) might actually be specifically protective forIBD. (It should noted, however that simple sugars can increase inflammation, so patients should avoid dried fruits and high-sugar fruits, such as grapes, pineapple, andwatermelon.) It should be noted that high-fiber foods can cause gas, bloating, and pain, particularly in IBD patients. Commercial products(e.g., Beano) are available that can reduce gas. Eating small, frequent meals can also help.

Crohn's Disease Diet and Fluids (non-caffeinated). Drinking plenty of water is particularly important. Caffeinated beverages should be avoided in general, although green tea has been reported to have some benefits for Crohn's.

Crohn's Disease Diet and Certain Oils. Omega-3 fatty acids are important compounds, particularly for Crohn's disease, found in fats. Sources include canola oil, soybeans, flaxseed, olive oil, and many nuts, seeds, and oily fish.

Liquid Supplements. Over-the-counter liquid diets, such as Ensure,Sustacal, and others that meet full nutritional needs and are absorbed in the upper intestine may be helpful for some Crohns disease patients, but no studies have determined this.

Crohns Disease Diet and Potassium-rich Foods. Examples are potatoes, avocados, and bananas.

Low-Fiber with Low-Residue

To minimize abdominal pain and symptoms a low-fiber, low-residue a Crohn's diet or a special liquid diet may be beneficial. Roughly two thirds of Crohn's Disease diet suffers develop a stricture (narrowing) of the lower small intestine. This diet reduces the amount of certain consumed foods that addresidue to the stool.

Foods to Reduce While On a Crohns Disease Diet

• Nuts
• Corn Hulls
• Seeds
• Raw Fruits
• Vegetables

Diet adjustment are only temporary, either the inflammation that caused the narrowing responds either to beneficial microbes, medical treatment or to a corrective surgical procedure. Caution, while following this type of diet, too many food restrictions can have anadverse effect by not allowing proper nutritional balancing. It is always good sound advice to have a registered dietitian associated with IBD treatment program monitor your daily intake and schedule.

Nutrient Importance in a Crohns Disease Diet

As mentioned earlier IBD patients, and especially Crohn's patients are in danger of becoming malnourished due to the disease being present in the small intestine. The following are several reasons to consider these findings.

• Poor digestion and malabsorption of dietary fats, carbohydrates, water, protein and a wide range minerals and vitamins.
• Especially during disease flare-ups chronic disease patients usually will increase levels of energy and caloric needs for the body. Basically your body is working overtime to counteract the disease.
• Symptoms of abdominal pain, nausea, or lacking taste sensations will have an ill affect on food intake resulting in loss of appetite.

To restore the body’s health, a Crohns Disease Diet nutritional program is imperative. Avoiding malnourishment is the key to a healthier path in any recovery for the following reasons.

• People with good nutritional status tend to have a more effective response rate to medications.
• Children and Teenagers may experience growth retardation due to lost proteins, calories, and other nutrients.
• Hormonal levels are affected due to weight loss in women. Menstrual irregularities and even cessation of menstruation may be experienced.
• More food must be taken in to compensate the loss of proteins and other nutrients; this may be difficult for individuals that experience intestinal symptoms.

Food Absorption

Food absorption is a huge issue when it comes to patients with Crohn's Disease and a proper Crohn's Diet, especially if their disease involves the small intestine. People that have inflammation only in the large intestine most often absorb food normally. Over 40 percent of individuals diagnosedwith Crohn's showed that they can eat enough food but can’t absorb food adequately, especially carbohydrates.

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For Crohn's Support, please contact the number above or download our Crohn's Diet eBook.

To learn more about Crohn's Diet, you can navigate around the site using the links below.

• Crohn's Disease
• Cause of Crohn's
• Crohn's Diet
• Crohn's Symptoms
• Crohn's Treatment
• Foods to Avoid

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SEROVERA is well-known for its powerful anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.  Under the direction of Dr. Ivan Danhof, Ph.D., M.D., we have isolated and processed the healing agent in Aloe Vera, allowing us to infuse the purest, most potent medicinal value into each SEROVERA® AMP 500 capsule.

• soothes and heals bowel inflammation
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• helps reduce the likeliness of future flare-ups
• helps to keep you in remission, longer