Crohn's is an inflammatory disorder that usually effects the lower portion of the small intestine and can cause rectal bleeding, loss of appetite, severe abdominal pain, weight loss, diarrhea, sores, ulcers and sometimes scar tissue in the intestines. Certain foods may negatively affect the function of the gastrointestinal system and can increase inflammation in the body. Since Crohn's is an inflammatory and intestinal disorder, what you eat may play an important role in reducing symptoms.
Digestive System Stressors
Eliminate digestive system stressors, including caffeine, spicy foods, alcohol, carbonated beverages, tobacco and trans fats. Raw food may also irritate the delicate intestines of Crohn's sufferers, so steam your fruits and vegetables before eating them. Other foods that can increase inflammation and irritate the digestive tract include popcorn, nuts, cocoa products, fried and greasy foods, margarine, pepper, foods with additives and preservatives, white flour, highly processed foods and all animal products with the exception of skinless turkey and chicken.
Refined Carbohydrates
Refined carbohydrates may be particularly problematic. Avoid foods such as most boxed cereals that contain any form of added sugar. Diets that are high in refined carbohydrates are thought to promote inflammation and have been correlated with Crohn's. Fish, pickled cabbage, hard sausage and yeast are aggravating to many Crohn's sufferers. Eliminate these foods for a few weeks, and watch for an improvement in symptoms.
Allergenic Foods
Hidden food allergies may cause and exacerbate Crohn's flare-ups, and following a hypoallergenic diet may help to speed healing and prevent recurrences. The most common food allergens for Crohn's sufferers include dairy, eggs, red meat, sugar, yeast, soya and foods containing carrageenan. Not all of these foods are necessarily bad for all Crohn's sufferers however, so if eliminating these foods from your diet is not something you are willing to do, then talk to a health care practitioner about identifying personal allergens.
Dairy
Regardless of an identifiable allergy to dairy, it is best to avoid all dairy products because dairy is mucous forming. This is a problem because extra mucous in the intestines may block nutrient absorption, and "Prescription for Nutritional Healing" author Phyllis Balch says that most Crohn's sufferers require higher than normal amounts of nutrients. Dairy also contains numerous substances that are thought to aggravate Crohn's. It contains histamine, an inflammatory substance that many Crohn's sufferers are intolerant to. It also contains carrageenan, a compound used to stabilize milk proteins. Studies have shown carrageenan to induce colitis in lab animals, according to Balch. Finally, dairy contains saturated fat, which is thought to be a digestive system stressor.
References
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis Balch; 2003
- "Pathology and Nutrition"; The Canadian School of Natural Nutrition; Lilieana Stradler Mitrea; 2008
