You Are What You Eat - How Food Can Affect Crohns Symptoms by:Sharon Dobson
If you were not aware of it, Crohn's Disease is an incurable disease believed to develop from an overactive autoimmune response by the body
. Put simply, this means that the body's defenses are basically turning on the body and attacking it. The battle with Crohn's is fought in the digestive tract, particularly within the colon. Through research and the experience of Crohn's sufferers, it has been proven that diet plays an important role in the emergence and subsequent control of the disease.People living with Crohn's Disease often have to modify their diets. For many, this can be a real pain in the neck. Foods that you once regularly enjoyed might be now impossible to eat. Having Crohn's Disease does not mean you have to stop enjoying food, however, you may have to choose carefully what you eat.
The way the body deals with Crohn's is different for every person. Some may be able to tolerate foods that others cannot. Basically, it takes a trial and error approach. One of the suggestions Crohn's experts have expressed for those with the disease is to keep a food diary. Keep track of what food you eat on a daily basis and the subsequent reactions of your digestive tract. That way if you notice your Crohn's symptoms acting up you can pinpoint the food that may have caused it. In the future, you can avoid that food and by process of elimination, find out which foods you can tolerate and the others that you cannot.
There is also a general list of foods to eat and foods to avoid. As stated earlier, this is not a definitive guideline, but the suggestions are appropriate to the majority of people suffering with Crohn's.
If you have Crohn's Disease, planning a diet is very important. It is best to eat a balanced diet from the four major food groups. Some of the foods that are generally tolerable for Crohn's sufferers include fresh fruits and vegetables, particularly those high in fiber.
Furthermore, from eating salmon, tuna and other types of fish, the body can get valuable omega-3 fatty acids which can also help. Instead of eating massive meals a few times a day, try to eat smaller meals in order to give your digestive tract the leeway to operate without putting it under a lot of pressure. Eat lots of protein, complex carbohydrates, and potassium-rich foods to keep your system in balance. It is also important that you drink lots of water to keep your body hydrated.
Foods that should be usually avoided include those high in fat content, processed food, fast foods, many diary products, sugary products, alcohol and caffeine. Obviously, the healthier the diet your follow, the better it will be for your body to cope with Crohn's Disease.
Crohn's is a fickle disease. It is important that you take an aggressive approach to finding ways to structure your diet so that it does not increase the chances of having flare ups.
Eating healthily, exercising, and working to remain stress-free are the best ways to go. Remember, you are what you eat - a statement that is even more important when dealing with Crohn's Disease.
About the author
Sharon Dobson has an interest in Crohn's Disease. For further information on Crohn's Disease please visit http://www.natural-crohns-disease-relief.com/crohnsdisease.html or http://natural-crohns-disease-relief.com/blog/2006/09/13/you-are-what-you-eat-how-food-can-affect-crohns-symptoms/. Consume Super Foods for Super Health and Disease Prevention by:Frank Mangano Combating Food Cravings by:Linda Lovejoy Organic Lecithin Has Health And Food Processing Benefits by:Sarah Thomas The Growth In The Organic And Healthy Food Market by:Davinos Greeno 5 Ways to Get Faster Results From Your Raw Food Diet by:Frederic Patenaude How To Nurture Our Bodies With The Right Foods by:Richard Haigh Food Additives Every Corn Allergy Sufferer Needs to Avoid by:Nicole Evans Food Additives Every Peanut Allergy Sufferer Needs to Avoid by:Nicoel Evans Omega 3 EPA DHA, Our Evolution In Food Consumption Statistics by:Lois Smithers Tips On Preparing Health Food For Vitamin And Nutrient Sources by:Deborah Prosser Dealing With Food Allergies by:Spencer Hunt Health Food and Vitamins: Getting The Skinny On Fats by:Deborah Prosser A Diet Primer For Health Food And Vitamins by:Deborah Prosser