The Functional Nutrition Approach to Crohn’s Disease
DID YOU KNOW???
More than 700 million people in the world are affected by an autoimmune disease? Kresser, 2019. If your suffering from gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea and abdominal pain, it could be Crohn’s disease. Crohn’s disease is categorized as an inflammatory bowel disease, joining ulcerative colitis in the IBD category. However Crohn’s disease is characterized as chronic and re-occurring inflammation that develops anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to anus, but most commonly occurs at the end of the small intestine. It is a progressive disease, meaning that overtime conditions can worsen if left untreated. Yikes! Most individuals often confuse IBD with IBS, where IBS is considered a chronic functional disorder, and I say functional because it can mean that the problem lies with the way a normal body function is usually carried out. What happens with IBS is that the colon is extremely sensitive and starts to spasm when it gets stimulated when you eat food or are stressed out. It’s also referred to as a spastic colon or nervous indigestion (Bauman, 2017).
Crohn’s disease, believe it or not affects approximately 700,000 Americans and both men and women equally (Crohnsandcolitis, 2016). M’koma from the Clinical Medicine Insights Journal of Gastroenterology (2013) explains that IBD “has been considered a problem in industrial-urbanized societies and attributed largely to a Westernized lifestyle and other associated environmental factors. Its incidence and prevalence in developing countries is steadily rising and has been attributed to the rapid modernization and Westernization of the population.” Today it’s also affecting the younger population much more than the older, thus increasing their risk of colon cancer.
Crohn’s Statistics (Levy, 2016)
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 201 per 100,000 adults suffer from Crohn’s in the U.S.
Estimated 1.4 million Americans suffer from Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, which is 0.5 percent of the U.S. population.
It is estimated that 75 percent of people with Crohn’s disease eventually undergo surgery. Up to 38 percent of people who have surgery for Crohn’s disease experience a recurrence in the first year after surgery. Smoking is the strongest risk factor for postoperative recurrence.
Crohn’s disease can show up very differently in individuals affecting one’s social, psychological, financial, health and quality of life. Some signs and symptoms include, but not limited to:
The exact cause of crohn’s disease is still unknown, however contributing factors and triggers may include genetics and environmental factors. Its estimated that 54% is due to genetic factors, while 46% is due to lifestyle and environmental factors (CPMC, 2017). Researchers believe that people with Crohn’s disease may have an overactive immune response, causing the GI tract to become chronically inflamed, which leads to symptoms.
So how is Crohn’s disease diagnosed? There are several assessments and functional testing that can be recommended for the client suffering with Crohn’s. These include food sensitivity exams, family history questionnaire, blood work, and other medical diagnostic testing. See below:
CONVENTIONAL VS NATURAL:
Conventional Assessments and Treatment for Chron’s
Blood test: anemia or infection
Stool sample
Colonoscopy or capsule endoscopy
CT scan
TREATMENTS:
Corticosteroids
Oral 5 aminosalicylates
Medication
Iron
B12 shots
Nutrition therapy: Enteral nutrition-short term
surgery
Natural Treatment/Assessment
A ROOT CAUSE APPROACH AND AN INDIVIDUALIZED THERAPEUTIC NUTRITION PLAN CAN HELP SLOW OR EVEN REVERSE THE PROGRESSION OF CROHN’S DISEASE.
Functional Testing for autoimmunity may include the following (Bauman, 2017)
•serum IgE and IgG
• try to rule out Celiac (though finer testing may be needed):
• quantitative immunoglobulin A (IgA)
• IgG food sensitivity testing (specific)
• C-Reactive Protein to view levels of internal inflammation
Because Crohn’s is an autoimmune condition, a therapeutic nutrition diet that specializes in healing the gut is essential. We want to be able to optimize digestion, assimilate, and eliminate.
DIET IS KEY!
Crohn’s Diet and Lifestyle Recommendations (Bauman, 2017)
GOAL: HEAL THE GUT! RESET GUT-BRAIN COMMUNICATION THROUGH FOOD, HERBS, SUPPLEMENTS, & STRESS MANAGEMENT AND WORK TOWARDS AN ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DIET.
The 4R Program for Crohn’s GI Support
Remove the cause of problem: Contributing factors previously discussed, such as food sensitivities and allergens, these include gluten, oxidized oils, processed fats, sugar, dairy, pathogens, toxins, pharmaceuticals, and stress management. If caused by genetics, and individual is on medication, incorporating lifestyle modifications and therapeutic nutrition is the goal.
Replace missing factors: Macro and micro nutrients, fiber, water, enzymes, incorporate more anti-inflammatory foods. For Crohn’s, increasing micronutrients that contain Iron, B12, Calcium, and magnesium through food sources and therapeutic supplementation if needed.
Re-inoculate beneficial intestinal bacteria with prebiotics and probiotics through food and therapeutic supplementation if needed. Eat foods that nourish and heal the gut. Foods rich in prebiotics include Jerusalem artichokes, onions, garlic, asparagus, leeks, bananas, and chicory. Foods that contain probiotics include fermented foods such as sauerkraut, kimchi, miso, tempeh, natto, and pickled veggies. One thing to consider is the condition the person is in because not every individual will tolerate pre and probiotics. Prebiotics are wonderful, but they promote bacterial fermentation which can worsen IBS symptoms. Another thing to consider is that there are different types of probiotics and different strains so it is best to test which probiotic supplement is right for the individual.
Repair the GI lining: with demulcent herbs such as aloe Vera, L Glutamine, curcumin. Supporting the immune system with nutrients like selenium, zinc, vitamin A, D, EPA.
Diet: an organic, anti-inflammatory, healing foods diet, free of refined carbohydrates, sugar, artificial sweeteners, hydrogenated oils, processed foods, trans-fats, and stimulants such as caffeine and food additives are recommended. This diet will help alkalize the body, lower blood glucose, eliminate toxins and optimize nutrient intake. Eating high fiber foods such as raw fruits and veggies should be eaten with caution because some individuals may have a hard time digesting.Following the eating for health model by Dr. Ed Bauman is a great guide to get balanced nutrition. It represents a system and not a diet, which promotes high quality foods that are catered to individual needs, tastes, and ethnicities, which also takes into consideration the biochemical individuality of a person along with lifestyle factors (Bauman, 2017).
References
Bauman, E., Friedlander, J. (2017). Therapeutic Nutrition. Part 1. Penngove, CA: Bauman College
Corielle Personalized Medicine Collaborative, 2017. Health Conditions and Drug Response Crohn’s Disease-Risk Factors. Retrieved from
https://cpmc.coriell.org/about-the-cpmc-study/health-conditions-and-drug-response/crohns-disease/risk-factors
Crohn’s Disease. N.d. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/crohns-disease/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353309
Levy, J. 2016. Crohn’s Disease symptoms, risk factors, and how to treat. Retrieved from https://draxe.com/health/gut-health/crohns-disease-symptoms/
Tresta, A. 2019. Crohn’s Disease Causes and Risk Factors. Retrieved from https://www.verywellhealth.com/crohns-disease-causes-and-risk-factors-4164358
