IBD, or inflammatory bowel disease, is somewhat of an enigma. Researchers can tell you certain facts about it but others are less clear. If you suffer from IBD you have probably wondered if certain foods you ate actually triggered your attacks. Many health care providers also believe there is a relationship between your diet and your symptoms and that a remission diet will help, but the jury is still out.
History
According to the experts at the Mayo Clinic, more than 1.5 million Americans suffer from some form of IBD. Ulcerative colitis is the most common form, but other IBD diseases include Crohn's disease. Pouchitis causes symptoms that mimic IBD and it plagues people who have had the colon and rectum removed. Another form is known as microscopic colitis, which is most often found in women
in their 60s and 70s.
Significance
A research article published in the "Journal of Gastroenterology" titled, "Role of Diet in the Management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease," indicated that it is difficult to prove qualitatively or quantitatively whether diet can aggravate IBD. Studies show that you may react differently to a type of food considered problematic for IBD than your sister with the same ailment. This individual food sensitivity response is the metaphoric "devil in the details" when trying to create a general omission and remission diet.
Considerations
Exclusion, remission and omission diets have been successful in helping individuals attain remission of IBD symptoms longer than those not following exclusion programs. The foods that most often cause food sensitivity symptoms include cereals, eggs, milk, vegetables and citrus fruit. However, it is important to understand that you may be sensitive to a food that amplifies your symptoms that is not on this list.
Clinical Findings
Researchers at the St George's Hospital in London, England studied the mucous lining of the gut in healthy individuals and others suffering from Crohn's Disease. They noticed that those with Crohn's Disease had a higher level of blood flowing to the intestinal tract than healthy subjects after eating certain foods. This is significant because the increased blood flow carries more antigens, or compounds that are released when your body has an allergic reaction, to the intestine exposed to the irritant. They also tested sugar and did found little allergy response in either groups of people. If you have IBD, this experiment documents that your intestine can have an allergic response to certain foods in your diet.
Potential
Using advances in laboratory sophistication and food supplements, researchers hope to prolong remission by using dietary measures. Because your response to food is based on your personal sensitivity, a remission diet that works for one does not mean it will work for you. Work on experimenting and excluding foods that seem to cause distress. Mayo Clinic suggests limiting dairy due to the possibility of lactose intolerance and to use fiber carefully. You will need to discover the type that does not aggravate your symptoms. Raw fruits and vegetables may be problematic, as are popcorn, alcohol, caffeine and carbonated liquids. Once you find a diet that helps reduce your symptoms, you can begin to slowly experiment with adding foods back. If your symptoms flare, go back to your remission diet and eat the foods you can tolerate more easily. Work with your health care provider and perhaps a dietitian who can help guide you--especially if you are loosing weight.
