Imbalanced nutrition is common in patients with Crohn's disease, an inflammatory bowel condition that interferes with your body's digestion and absorption of protein, carbohydrates, fats and other nutrients. The inflammation of Crohn's may affect any portion of your intestinal tract, but it most often affects your ileum, or the final segment of the small intestine. Dietary modifications, nutritional supplements or medications may help prevent malnutrition in Crohn's disease.
Malabsorption
During normal digestion, the lining of your small intestine absorbs most of the proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals in the foods that you eat. After your small intestine has absorbed these molecules, the particles enter your bloodstream. Your body metabolizes these nutrients to produce energy, build tissue or bone, utilize oxygen or perform other vital functions. An inflamed, scarred or damaged intestinal tract can't absorb nutrients normally. People with Crohn's disease often do not absorb enough protein, fats, carbohydrates and vitamins B-12 and D to meet their daily nutritional requirements, according to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America, or CCFA.
Diarrhea
After your small intestine has absorbed most of the nutrients from your foods, the undigested portions pass to your large intestine. In healthy digestion, these materials consist mostly of plant fiber and fluids. Your large intestine extracts the water from these wastes, which then pass from your body as solid stool. If Crohn's disease has damaged your small intestine, these wastes may include unabsorbed food particles as well as indigestible residue. These materials pass directly into your large intestine, which can't process them normally due to their additional food content. Instead, these digestive materials and fluids pass from your body as diarrhea. Chronic diarrhea puts you at risk for dehydration as well as malnutrition and an imbalance of electrolytes such as sodium and potassium.
Imbalances
Up to 40 percent of people with Crohn's disease do not digest carbohydrates completely, the CCFA notes. Incomplete digestion of the carbohydrates in breads and cereals, milk products, fruits and vegetables or beans can cause gas, bloating and diarrhea. A failure to absorb protein may result in delayed growth, development and wound healing. A lack of vitamin D impedes your ability to absorb calcium, which is essential for healthy bone formation. For this reason, Crohn's disease also increases your risk of osteoporosis, a degenerative bone disorder that leaves your bones porous and fragile. A deficiency of vitamin B-12, which promotes red blood cell formation and healthy brain and nerve function, may cause anemia, depression, confusion and memory loss.
Prevention
Eating enough food to give your body the calories and nutrients it needs can be a challenge with Crohn's disease, which can diminish your appetite and cause chronic abdominal pain. High-calorie liquid nutrition products, taken orally or through a surgically created abdominal opening, may boost your energy and nutritional intake. The CCFA recommends supplementing your diet with vitamins B-12 and D, folic acid, iron and calcium to prevent anemia, neurological changes and bone loss. You may also need supplemental potassium and magnesium to replace the minerals lost in watery stools. Your doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory medications, antibiotics or anti-diarrheal medications to reduce intestinal inflammation and control your symptoms. If your intestinal damage is severe, you may require surgery to remove scarred tissue and allow your body to utilize the nutrients in your diet.
