Your gastrointestinal, or GI, tract, is comprised of your stomach and intestines, and it is responsible for breaking down the food you eat and absorbing the nutrients contained within. An inflamed GI tract is usually caused by an inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD. IBDs, notes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, are responsible for over 700,000 doctor visits in the United States every year. Review the risks and benefits of dietary changes with your doctor before using certain foods to help soothe your inflamed GI tract.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
IBD is a common health complaint among Americans. This health problem affects over 1 million people in the United States, reports the American College of Gastroenterology. Two of the most commonly experienced types of IBD include Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis -- conditions that involve inflammation in various parts of your GI tract. Most cases of IBD manifest in people between 10 and 30 years of age, although people between 50 and 60 may also commonly develop this health problem.
Beneficial Diet
A beneficial diet in treating your inflamed GI tract involves certain additions and subtractions. Naturopathic physicians Michael Murray and Joseph Pizzorno, co-authors of "Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine," state that increasing your consumption of whole, unprocessed foods -- whole grains, fruits, nuts, vegetables, seeds -- may be especially helpful in treating this health problem. Other beneficial foods may include non-acidic vegetables, such as cabbage, carrots, celery, turnips, kale and garlic. Consider eliminating alcohol, caffeine and sugar from your diet.
Useful Food
Kale, a dark leafy green vegetable, may be useful in reducing your GI tract inflammation and treating your IBD. According to certified nutritional consultant Phyllis A. Balch, author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," kale is a rich source of vitamin K, and vitamin K deficiency has been associated with inflammatory bowel diseases, such as ulcerative colitis. Kale is also rich in vitamins A, B-1, B-2, B-3, B-6, C and E, dietary fiber, calcium and potassium. Avoid eating kale that is wilted, has small holes or is browning or yellowing.
Disclaimer
An inflamed GI tract can be caused by several health problems, and it should always be evaluated by a licensed healthcare professional. Avoid using dietary changes to treat this health problem until you have met with your primary care provider and reviewed possible side effects, potential drug interactions and other diet-related topics. Though diet and nutrition have long been used as adjunct therapies in treating your inflamed GI tract, further scientific evidence using contemporary research techniques may be needed to determine the true efficacy of certain foods or dietary approaches.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- American College of Gastroenterology: Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- "Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine"; Michael Murray, N.D., and Joseph Pizzorno, N.D.; 1998
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis A. Balch, CNC; 2010
