CROHN’S
DISEASE
(back to nutrition
facts A to Z menu)
What is Crohn's
Disease?
In
Crohn’s Disease there is chronic ulceration of the digestive tract.
Often the main area to be affected is the last part of the small
intestine, but it can also be present in the mouth, oesophagus, stomach,
anywhere along the small intestine and colon.
There appear to be immune system disturbances, and possibly genetic
predisposition. Most standard medical and gastroenterology texts hardly
mention, if at all, a dietary link, and yet there’s strong evidence that this
may be the most important single cause.
Crohn’s
Disease is virtually non-existent in cultures consuming a primitive diet, whilst
in the Western world it’s on the increase.
Perhaps genetics play a part here, but as food is the main factor that
determines the environment within the intestines, perhaps the considerable
change in dietary habits over the last hundred years could explain the rising
rates of Crohn’s disease. Various
studies have shown that people with Crohn’s disease ate more sugar before
becoming ill, and less raw fruit, vegetables and dietary fibre, than healthy
people. Therefore nutrition can play a major part.
Nutrition Facts & Diet
Advice for Crohn's Disease
These nutrition and
dietary notes may help Crohn's Disease:
-
Ideally
consult an allergy specialist or a nutrition consultant to arrange for
allergy and food sensitivity testing.
If you are unable to do that, try an elimination diet.
Avoid the most common allergens: wheat, dairy, alcohol, eggs, corn,
caffeine, soft drinks, chocolate, sugar.
If it’s not too hard, also rye, oats and barley.
-
Also
avoid high-histamine foods such as yeast products, German-type sausages,
pickles.
-
Carrageenan
which is widely used to stabilize milk proteins (e.g. custards, some
yoghurt products, ice cream, etc.) has been implicated in ulcerative
colitis, so may be best avoided.
-
Avoid
spices.
-
Eat
nonacidic fresh or cooked vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, carrots,
celery, garlic, kale, and so on.
-
Eat
beans and lentils, and ground nuts and seeds for their essential fatty
acid content which is vital for healing the intestines.
-
Drink
at least 1½ litres of spring or filtered water every day.
-
Eat
cauliflower for vitamin K. Steam or bake, and eat raw if tolerated.
-
Juices
are very good, particularly fresh cabbage juice which is good for ulcers
anywhere. Consider
buying a juicer from an electrical retailer and buy a book on
juicing. The Champion Juicer, as used by the Gerson Institute, is
available from this site.
During
an acute attack,
puree fresh vegetables and brown rice or millet.
Or buy some organic, sugar-free baby food.
Health Supplements - Crohns Disease
Often, a
combination of supplements may help in
alleviating this condition. You may wish to
consult a nutritional therapist for personal
advice. Supplements that may be helpful in
alleviating symptoms are shown below:
(please
also read this important notice concerning supplement medical
claims)
Recommended
Health Books
health book - Breaking the Vicious Cycle: Intestinal
see also
allergies
and food intolerance
cookbooks |
