What Dietary Considerations Should Crohn's Sufferers Have?

For those suffering from Crohns Disease diet and nutrition are of utmost concern. Although there is no evidence to show that the condition is caused by nutritional factors, the food you eat can certainly affect the symptoms of the disorder.

Because inflammatory bowel disease manifests itself differently from patient to patient, and can affect so many different areas of the digestive tract, there is not one specific diet for Crohns Disease that works for everyone.

Rather, it is an experimental process whereby the patient determines what foods tend to aggravate the condition, and makes dietary changes based on this determination. As Crohns is marked by flareups, with good periods and bad periods, the diet may have to be adjusted accordingly.

Some patients follow the Specific Carbohydrate Diet, which entails curbing carbs that are difficult to digest. This may offer relief for certain symptoms, but has yet to be supported by clinical evidence.

The best eating plan for Crohns Disease is a healthy balanced one, including all of the food groups: fruits, vegetables, dairy, meats, whole grains, fats and protein should all be included daily, with those foods that may cause flare-ups eliminated or at least minimized.

Crohns Disease & Nutritional Supplements

One of the major concerns for patients is the strong possibility of malnutrition due to the inability of the impaired small intestine to properly digest and absorb nutrients from the food they eat.

So even with a fully-balanced diet, it is likely that you are not getting the nutrients you need. Add to that the common loss of appetite and the increased energy the body needs to combat the illness and many patients find themselves in a state of severe malnutrition. This can and will lead to further health complications down the road.

That is why many Crohns patients choose to take nutritional supplements to make sure they are getting the vitamins, minerals, amino acids and other important nutrients they may not be getting from what they eat.

High quality supplements can offer a full spectrum of vital ingredients, including B12, folic acid, Vitamin D, magnesium, potassium, trace elements and other specific nutrients that are often lacking in Crohns patients.

One of the most complete nutritional supplements we have found is called Total Balance which is manufactured by a highly-regarded natural health company. It contains a wide variety of vitamins, minerals and nutrients in one comprehensive formula.

What separates this supplement from others is that it has an enteric coating which significantly increases the amount of nutrients that can be used by your cells and tissues, unlike others where a large percentage of nutrients get destroyed by stomach acids.

Although some patients get adequate nourishment from a complete diet, supplements are certainly worth consideration to ensure that your body gets what it needs.

As with all nutrition programs, your diet should be as well-balanced as possible, and include ample amounts of diverse foods. A nutritionist can offer diet help Crohns Disease patients can use to form the basis of their eating. They can then tailor the regimen based on their specific needs.

It's important to check with your doctor to determine if supplementation might be right for you. In many cases, poor appetite, poor absorption and increased requirements may make you malnourished, and it might make sense to supplement these important nutrients.