Diet tips for Crohn's?

[xazaralix]

Hey guys,

I was wondering if you guys had any tips on a good diet for someone with Crohn's? I usually eat resonably well and I've noticed that things like spicy and acidic foods are a no-no for me. I'd appreciate any advice you guys have. Thanks,

Azar

[Connie Brown]

Crohn's is in the autoimmune family of diseases so in your case I would do these:

- eat from a Paleo style food list as best you can

- enough veggies & fruits to assure a slight advantage to "base" in the acid/base balance

- supplement with omega3 fats short term, after that just eat enough omega3 sources (& watch the proportion of omega6 to omega3)

- no junk carbs or junk fats

I like Jack Challem's article on how to eat to keep inflammation down:

http://www.stopinflammation.com/quenching_the_fires.html

[James Boelter]

Worth a try, but be very conservative with it at first - slippery elm bark powder. You can make a gruel out of it or mix up it with honey to make honeyballs, or sprinkle it in your oatmeal etc. It has a naturally nutty taste and will go well with most things.

Why? Well, two reasons. 1) Slippery Elm bark powder is extremely nutritious - you could conceivably live on nothing but that for a year and not suffer any nutrional deficiencies. (You'd want to kill yourself rather that face another bowl of the stuff, of course). It used to be the 'go to' herb and treatment for people who were suffering from wasting diseases and malnutrition - a way to get as much good nutrition into a crippled metabolic system as possible. 2) The powder is very mucilaginous (read: 'slimy') and will do an excellent job of coating and soothing inflamed mucous membranes in the colon.

Again, you want to be very conservative starting out, and clear it with your doctor. I can't imagine any contraindications, but that doesn't mean they don't exist.

The single best source I know of for info on slippery elm is Lalitha Thompson's book '10 Essential Herbs' which should be available of amazon or ordered through any major book store. Also lots of good info on ginger, onions, garlic, cloves, comfrey etc.

[humilispuer]

While I have no personal experience with the book/program, I have only heard great things. The name of the book is The Makers Diet:
http://www.makers-diet.net/storybehindbook.htm
It seems to be aimed at individuals such as yourself.
Also, Dr. Mercola has been raving about the book:
http://www.mercola.com/forms/makers_diet.htm
I would suggest you give the book a lQQk. Beyond that, Connie's suggestions are right on the money, as always. I would also have to agree with James as my Mother has been taking a good deal of slippery elm and it has helped her diverticulitis a great deal.

-Jonathon

[xazaralix]

Thanks for the advice, guys!

[Charlie McCarthy]

Check out the book Restoring Your Digestive Health by Jordan Rubin and Joe Brasco, I think it would better suit your needs rather than The MAkers Diet which is also by Jordan Rubin or get both which you'll see some recurring information. Hope this helps.

Charlie