Diet and Health FAQ

Tagged As: Controlling Crohns Disease The Natural Way

Question:
I have had crohn’s for 15 years and still haven’t found the right diet, I guess. When I’m in remission, I eat whatever. And that is my hobby, eating. I’m having a flare up and I haven’t watched what I eat for so long, this is really hard. Anyway my question is: Can anyone tell me any kind of diet, at this point, that will work?

Answer:
You could read Breaking the viscious cycle by Elaine Gottschall which outlines the SCD diet frequently discussed here.  Also there is a more recent book called Controlling Crohn's Disease the Natural Way by Virginia Harper. This book is about macrobiotics and Crohn's.  I think they are both good.  I followed SCD for about 3 years, and now I have incorporated some ideas from the other into what I eat.  I have been off medication for 4 years. An elimination diet, such as Gottschall's Specific Carbohydrate Diet have been shown to reduce the symptoms experienced within 3 - 12 weeks. Avoid sugar, both white sugars, and the sugars contained in white flower, white rice etc. Keep a food/flair-up journal. Identify foods you are eating or your emotional state just before and during a flair-up. In time, you may find a pattern forming To reduce intestinal inflammation and begin the healing process, try products such as UltraInflamx - by Metagenics, Robert's formula - by Phytophamric, or aloe Vera juice. Flax seed or fish oils (Omega 3 Oils) have been known to greatly reduce the inflammatory process. If you find you have a hard time digesting them, try freezing the gel caps before taking them. Extra vitamins and minerals are important at this time, especially if you are not absorbing nutrients correctly. Incorporate a liquid meal replacement (one that is loaded with vitamins, minerals and protein, and low on sugar!) into your diet as well as taking a high quality vitamin and minerals supplement. Try to find one that is in a gel casing or capsule. Find a good mineral supplement such as Alfalfa, barley greens, liquid chlorophyll or colloidal minerals. Many of these come in a powdered form that you can mix with water or juice. Because of blood loss due to rectal bleeding, and the anemia associated with it, incorporation of additional iron is important. Look to find an herbal iron alternative, especially one that comes in liquid form for better/easier assimilation. If you decide to look to a single herb, Yellow Dock would be my choice. (Consult with your health care provider before introducing additional iron into your diet.) Starting a program of re-inoculating the intestinal tract with Friendly Bacteria, namely lactoacidopholis can enhance recovery and restore bowel function to normal.