Ideal diet for Crohn's Disease
What is Crohn 's Disease ?
Crohn 's Disease It is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease . which causes inflammation of the digestive tract . This is the body's reaction to an injury or irritation. and can It can cause anemia, malnutrition , diarrhea , abdominal pain , and general malaise , becoming debilitating and in some cases life-threatening.
Inflammation can extend to all layers of the digestive wall, leading to the formation of ulcers .
Therefore, Crohn 's disease is considered an autoimmune ( anti-inflammatory) disease.
Who could be affected? due to Crohn 's disease ?
Crohn 's disease can affect all age groups , especially young adults between the ages of 16 and 40 , both men and women . However , regardless of gender, smokers are more likely to develop the disease .
Although there is no scientific confirmation. Regarding how the disease arises , experts believe that ... A patient who has the disease usually has a relative (either a brother, a sister, a father, a mother, or a son) with a history of inflammatory bowel disease.
According to the APDI magazine (Portuguese Association of Inflammatory Bowel Disease) ( https://www.apdi.org.pt/ ) In Portugal, an increase in the incidence of this pathology has been observed . In 2024 , it was estimated that Approximately 25,000 people suffer from this condition , and it is predicted that the number will increase. increase significantly by 2030.
Symptoms of Crohn 's Disease
Symptoms of Crohn 's disease can vary , but the main complaints are:
- Diarrhea ;
- Abdominal pain ;
- Fever;
- Loss of appetite;
- Anemia ;
- Weight loss .
However, due to the possible and common complications of the disease, other symptoms may occur , such as:
- Eye changes;
- Nutritional deficiencies;
- Pain in the anal region ;
- Joint pain;
- Fatigue ;
- Stools contaminated with blood ;
- Rectal bleeding ;
- Skin lesions ;
- Symptoms related to the presence of kidney and gallstones ;
- Symptoms of intestinal obstruction ;
- Between others .
In children, Crohn 's disease It can manifest as growth delays.
What are the causes of Crohn 's disease ?
Although the cause of Crohn 's disease is not completely known , these may be some of the possible causes :
- Changes in the immune system;
Infection by an unknown microorganism;
- Allergic reaction to certain foods.
For patients suffering from Crohn's disease , the immunological changes They are quite common . And although it is not known for certain whether they are the cause or consequence of the disease , it is considered most likely that they are caused by immune dysfunctions associated with environmental factors .
Notwithstanding its cause, the Crohn 's disease It involves an incorrect and exaggerated reaction of the organism , manifesting itself n um chronic inflammatory process This reaction is caused by compounds of food origin or other substances present in the digestive tract .
Diagnosis for Crohn 's Disease
The diagnosis of Crohn 's disease is made based on:
- In the patient's medical history ;
- In the present symptoms;
- During the patient's physical examination ;
- And additional tests may be needed to complete the diagnosis.
These additional tests may include :
- Blood tests (to check for the presence of inflammation ) ;
- Stool analysis (to check for blood loss);
- Colonoscopy (to observe the inside of the colon);
- Contrast X-rays : this examination allows observation of the interior of the colon, analysis of the distribution and severity of inflammation and lesions, identification of possible complications, and collection of samples for confirmation . the diagnosis .
How is Crohn 's Disease treated ?
Crohn 's disease has no cure . However , existing treatments primarily aim to improve the quality of life for people suffering from this condition by treating the symptoms, so that periods of remission are maintained and prolonged.
Treatment for Crohn 's disease differs:
- D and in accordance with the presence of aggravating circumstances ;
- A location and severity of the injuries;
- The presence of extraintestinal manifestations ;
- D the return of previous treatments.
In milder cases of the disease and during symptom- free periods , treatment may not be necessary. When symptoms do appear, the initial approach is pharmacological, aiming to control inflammation and prevent side effects associated with treatment .
When drug treatment is not effective, or in more severe cases. (when associated complications already exist), surgical treatment may be necessary . In cases where the disease is located in the intestine, this may involve removing affected areas of the intestine and joining the healthy ends .
In more advanced cases , where surgical removal is not feasible, it may be necessary to create a temporary implant. Connections at the ends of the intestine , with removal of feces from the abdominal wall .
About half of the people who suffer from Crohn 's disease require surgical intervention , which can resolve some of the complications . However , as Crohn 's disease It can affect any part of the digestive tract , and since the lesions are not always in the same locations, surgical treatment is not curative.
Although surgery improves patients' quality of life and promotes periods of remission, symptoms may return after some time.
Preventive measures for people with Crohn 's disease .
There is no direct evidence that a specific type of diet can cure or prevent the inflammation associated with Crohn 's disease . However, most patients can maintain a normal diet. without restrictions, except during periods of worsening symptoms.
Even knowing that diet doesn't cure the disease, some dietary measures are adopted to help control the symptoms . In general, the following is recommended :
- A low-fiber diet (or, in more severe cases, a liquid-only diet);
- Be careful with lactose, as some patients have difficulty digesting the sugar present in milk ;
- Vitamin and mineral supplementation (for patients with malabsorption of food) , especially To prevent nutritional deficiencies , combat malnutrition or lack of appetite.
The ideal diet for Crohn 's Disease
The diet for patients with Crohn 's disease should be adjusted according to the stage of the disease (flare-up or remission) and individual tolerances ; however, vitamin and mineral supplementation may be necessary. These items are available at HealthBest .
During a crisis ( acute phase)
When inflammation is active, the goal is to reduce intestinal irritation and avoid foods that are difficult to digest.
Recommended foods :
Lean meats (chicken, turkey ) and fish;
- Diet low in fiber (white rice, white bread, refined pasta) ;
- Cooked or pureed fruit;
- Lactose-free milk or plant-based drinks (if tolerated by the patient);
- Puree if you 're making fiber-free soups .
Foods to avoid:
- Ingestion of coffee , alcohol, carbonated drinks and spicy foods ;
- Insoluble fibers ;
Excess fat .
During Remission ( controlled phase )
At this stage, the goal is to maintain a balanced diet and avoid nutritional deficiencies.
Recommended foods :
- Gradual introduction of fiber ;
- Sources of protein (lean meats and fish) ;
- Healthy fats (olive oil , avocado and nuts) ;
- Natural probiotics (i.e., natural yogurts9 ).
Some general tips which may facilitate your diet, regardless of the phase (crisis or remission) you are in :
- Opt for cooking food thoroughly to facilitate digestion;
Avoid strong spices or seasonings ;
Avoid consuming foods that are too cold or too hot;
Eat more frequent meals throughout the day, but in smaller portions ;
Opt for boiled, baked, or grilled foods;
- Always stay hydrated (with mild teas or water).
Special attention is needed because each person has different food sensitivities, and for this reason , it is important to keep a food diary to identify which foods trigger symptoms . This diary will provide greater clarity on which foods the patient should or should not eat , ensuring a balanced diet. Follow-up with a nutritionist or gastroenterologist is essential for the personalization of a balanced meal plan.
In some cases, supplementation with iron, vitamin B12, calcium, and vitamin D may be necessary due to absorption problems.
At HealthBest you can find nutritional treatment for patients with Crohn 's disease .
Learn more at: https://healthbest.pt/products/modulen-ibd
