A type of inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's colitis, also called Crohn's granulomatus colitis, is a form of Crohn's disease affecting mainly the colon, or large intestine. Crohn's in general is characterized by inflammation caused by ulcers that can occur in any part of the digestive tract and symptoms of Crohn's colitis usually include rectal bleeding, and abscesses, fistulas, and ulcers that occur around the anus, with skin lesions and joint pains more common in this form of Crohn's, according to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America. There is no specific diet for Crohn's in general, however dietary adjustment may help alleviate symptoms of the disease.
Dairy
Consuming cow's milk has been linked with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in general. Patients suffering from inflammatory bowel disease have been shown to have higher levels of serum antibodies against cow's milk compared with healthy people, and levels of certain antibodies have been associated with the activity of Crohn's disease symptoms in adults, according to Dr. Alfredo José Lucendo and colleague at the Department of Gastroenterology at the Hospital General de Tomelloso, in Spain in a review published May, 2009 in the World Journal of Gastroenterology.
Processed Foods and the Western Diet
Consuming a typical Western diet is associated with Crohn's disease, and some theories as to why this may be include the increased intake of sucrose, Omega-6 fatty acids (which promote inflammation), and refined carbohydrates, along with a reduced fruit and vegetable intake, according to researcher Nirooshun Rajendran, and Devinder Kumar, PhD at the Department of General Surgery at St. George's Hospital, in the United Kingdom in a review published in March 28, 2010 in the World Journal of Gastroenterology.
Urban diets, notes researcher Rajendran, and colleague, at the Department of General Surgery at St George's Hospital, in the United Kingdom in their review published March 28 2010, contain large amounts of contaminants with microparticles, such as dust and food additives, which may cause allergic reactions, and patients with Crohn's disease who were placed on a low microparticle diet had reduced disease activity and needed less steroid medication.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Studies show Omega-3 fatty acids may help reduce the need for steroid medication in inflammatory bowel disease and a diet rich in fish oil, abundant in Omega-3 fatty acids, was shown to modestly reduce intestinal inflammation in Crohns disease, according to researcher Rajendran and colleague at the Department of General Surgery at St. George's Hospital, in the United Kingdom in a review published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology, who also note that a study in which gradually replacing Omega-3, or n-3, polyunsaturated fats were gradually replaced with with n-6 polyunsaturated fats resulted in increased incidences of Crohn's disease.
Exclusion Diets
Exclusion diets are based on excluding and then reintroducing a single food type and if symptoms such as abdominal pain or diarrhea appear, then that specific food or even group of foods, is eliminated. Studies have shown that individuals react differently to various foods, however some more common food sensitivities are milk, eggs, cereals, citrus fruits, and vegetables, according to researcher Rajendran, and colleague at the Department of General Surgery at St. George's Hospital, in the United Kingdom in a review published in March 28 in the World Journal of Gastroenterology.
Nutrient Deficiencies
Crohn's, associated with diarrhea and poor absorption, can result in deficiencies in fluids, nutrients, and various vitamins and minerals, so maintaining good nutrition is especially important, according to Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America, who recommend a bland, soft diet that's low in fiber and that is not spicy in case of flares in the disease. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables, meat, olive oil and fish, with no specific restrictions in insoluble fiber, is recommended to inflammatory bowel disease patients who are in remission, according to Dr. Alfredo José Lucend and colleague at the Department of Gastroenterology at the Hospital General de Tomelloso, in Spain in a review published May 7, 2009 in the World Journal of Gastroenterology.
References
- Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America: About Crohn's Disease
- "World Journal of Gastroenterology;" Importance of Nutrition in Inflammatory Bowel Disease; A.J. Lucendo; May 17 2009
- "World Journal of Gastroenterology;" Role of diet in the management of inflammatory bowel; N. Rajendran; March 28 2010
