Inflammatory bowel disease is a term used to describe several types of inflammation in the intestines. Both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are types of IBD. Although IBD disorders have different causes and effects, Crohn's disease causes inflammation of both the large and small intestines, while some other disorders, such as ulcerative colitis, affect only the large intestine. Diet may improve or worsen symptoms and needs frequent adjustments as symptoms worsen and improve. Diet doesn't cause IBD or ulcerative colitis, but may decrease symptoms.
Diet During Flare-ups
During a flare-up of IBD, you may not have any appetite, but it's important to keep your nutrition up so that the tissues can heal. Small high protein meals provide building blocks to repair damaged tissue. Limiting diary may help relieve symptoms; if you're lactose intolerant, avoid dairy products, which can cause gas, bloating and abdominal pain.
Diet Between Flare-ups
A high-fiber diet may improve symptoms between attacks. Eating cooked vegetables rather than raw may be easier on your stomach. Certain vegetables, such as cabbage, beans and broccoli, can increase gas and worsen symptoms. Avoid coffee and alcohol, which stimulate the intestines and increase loose stools. Carbonated colas and other sodas produce gas, which can also irritate the intestines.
Vitamins and Minerals
Most nutrients are absorbed in the small intestine, so diseases that affect the small intestine can decrease vitamin absorption. As many as 68 percent of people with Crohn's disease have vitamin D deficiency, the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America states. Since vitamin D aids in calcium absorption, low levels of vitamin D can cause low calcium levels. Calcium is necessary for strong bone density. Iron deficiency also occurs commonly in ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, due to chronic blood loss. B-12 is also absorbed from the small intestine; you may need B-12 supplements.
Nutritional Therapy
At times, damage to the intestine is so severe that the only way to allow it to heal is to avoid food altogether. Enteral nutrition, liquid meals given through a tube directly into the stomach or intestines, gives the gut time to heal because the liquid is easily digested. Enteral feedings are run on a pump and can be given overnight to avoid being tied down during the day. If even enteral feedings are too difficult for the intestines, total parenteral nutrition, or TPN, given through an intravenous line into a large blood vessel, bypasses the intestines altogether. Total parenteral nutrition can cause long-term complications, including liver or gallbladder problems, high or low glucose levels, infection of the central line or osteoporosis.
