Nutritional Solutions for Crohn's Patients

When the small intestine is inflamed -- as it often is with Crohn's disease -- the intestine becomes less able to fully digest and absorb the nutrients from food. Such nutrients, as well as unabsorbed bile salts, can escape into the large intestine to varying degrees, depending on how extensively the small intestine has been injured by inflammation. This is one reason why people with Crohn's disease become malnourished, in addition to just not having much appetite. Furthermore, incompletely digested foods that travel through the large intestine interfere with water conservation, even if the colon itself is not damaged. Thus, when Crohn's disease affects the small intestine, it may cause diarrhea as well as malnutrition. Should the large intestine also be inflamed, the diarrhea may become even more extreme.

Crohn's disease - esophagus - intermed mag.jpg (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

People with Crohn's disease whose small intestine is affected, are prone to becoming malnourished due to loss of appetite, poor digestion and malabsorption, and the fact that a chronic disease such as Crohn’s tends to increase the caloric needs of the body due to the energy the body consumes during a flare-up.

Good nutrition is one of the ways the body restores and heals itself. Therefore, every effort must be made to avoid becoming malnourished. Protein is a key nutritional element in the recovery process. Consume healthy proteins such as lean cuts of chicken and fish. A protein deficiency can lead to fatigue, insulin resistance, and loss of muscle mass.

Iron deficiency is fairly common in people with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's colitis and less common in those with small intestine disease. It results from blood loss following inflammation and ulceration of the colon.

Try teaming iron-rich foods such as poultry, naturally fermented soy foods, and some fortified foods such as whole grain cereals with fruits and vegetables that are rich in vitamin C like potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, red and green bell peppers, and cabbage. This food partnership improves the iron absorption rate, and the vitamin C gives the immune system a boost.

Restrict your consumption of certain high-fiber foods such as nuts, seeds, corn. High-fiber foods also provoke contractions once they enter the large intestine and can cause cramping as a result. They may also cause diarrhea, since they are not completely digested by the small intestine. Sometimes a low-fiber diet is necessary minimize abdominal pain and cramping symptoms.

It may also be necessary to supplement your diet with nutritional supplements to ensure your body is getting the proper amount of vitamins and minerals needed.

Nutrition is one of the best ways to combat disease of all types, and Crohn's is no exception. It can be a very trying disease, to say the least, but eating the right foods in the right combination can help make your life a bit better - and your body healthier.

How to Fight Inflammation Naturally

Inflammation is your body’s reaction to injury - but it can also be caused by many toxins, which irritate your body and cause inflammation to occur. You can have external inflammation, for example a twisted ankle will swell. You can also experience inflammation internally. For example your arteries can become inflamed.
Inflammation, while it is a natural response, can be dangerous too. If your arteries are inflamed and stay inflamed then you can suffer a heart attack.

There are many medications that help fight inflammation. For a sprained ankle you might take an NSAID to reduce the swelling. For inflamed arteries you might take a Image via WikipediaStatin drug. These drugs, whether prescription or over the counter, have side effects. NSAIDs for example can cause liver damage or stomach distress. And new and an alarming study reported in the September 6 issue of the Canadian Medical Association Journal shows that regular use of NSAIDs even in small doses can DOUBLE the chances of miscarriage for pregnant women. And Statins have some of the highest numbers of dangerous side effects of any drug out there. The  more we learn about these drugs, the more we seem to find that they are actually making us sick more than they are making us well.... The good news is that there are many things you can do today to fight inflammation naturally.

Five Ways to Fight Inflammation Naturally

#1: Omega threes. Omega three fatty acids help reduce inflammation in your body naturally. You can find omega threes in many whole grains, fish and nuts. However, most people don’t get enough omega threes in their diet. The healthy ratio of Omega 3 to Omega 6 in the human diet should be somewhere between 1:1 and 1:4, but the typical American diet provides more like 1:20 - FAR from the ideal balance. A simple solution is to take a fish oil or omega three supplement. But additionally, you need to decrease the amount of man-made trans fats you’re eating (pretty much any standard type of vegetable oil, as well as margarine, is mainly trans fats). These types of fats contribute greatly to inflammation in your body. (For more on healthy and unhealthy oils, visit http://nhlcookingfromscratch.blogspot.com/2011/04/cooking-with-fats-oils-healthy-tips.html.)

#2: Decrease sugar consumption. Sugar is a prime source of inflammation. It causes free radical damage to your cells. This damage is an “injury” which causes inflammation. After consuming too many sweets or junk food you may notice you look Image via Wikipediapuffy. This is inflammation at work. What you cannot see is the inflammation inside your body. Take a look at how much sugar you consume and create a plan to cut back. You’ll notice a drastic difference in how you feel - and maybe even how you look - and definitely in your long-term health. Many good natural sweeteners are readily available today - from Stevia extract to Xylitol, and even good old-fashioned honey. But don't go overboard - our bodies really weren't meant to consume huge amounts of sweets. Just stick to fruit if you can!

#3: Turmeric. Turmeric is an herb commonly used in mustard and many curries, and it’s a great natural anti-inflammatory. If you don’t eat a lot of curry or mustard consider taking a turmeric supplement. They are easy to find and quite affordable, and can reduce inflammation both externally and internally.

#4: Exercise. Exercise actually helps your body reduce inflammation, and flush out toxins that can cause inflammation. It doesn’t have to be vigorous exercise either. Simply walk for thirty minutes a day. This simple step drastically reduces inflammation.

#5: Sleep. Good sleep is imperative for good health. Studies have shown that people who do not get enough quality sleep suffer from inflammation. They’re at a higher risk for obesity and heart disease. Sleep is when your body heals itself, including inflamed areas. Without this repair time, inflammation can build up in the body over time. Restless or impaired sleep, or simply not enough of it, can take a huge long-term toll on your overall health. Take a look at your sleep habits. What can you do to improve them?

There are several other simple steps you can take to reduce inflammation naturally, such as: Reduce alcohol intake. Stop smoking if you smoke. Lose weight.

If you have an injury, like a sprained ankle, consider using natural arnica gel to treat it. Add green tea to your diet and cut back on saturated and trans fats.

Simple steps to live a healthy life also fight inflammation naturally. Take a look at your existing habits. How do they support inflammation? What can you do to change your lifestyle and fight inflammation naturally?