Eat healthy and increase the intake of Vitamin D to avoid Crohn’s disease

This condition can be managed when diagnosed on time and by making some lifestyle changes

 New Delhi, March 23, 2018: As per recent findings published in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, patients with Crohn’s disease should think carefully about consuming products containing sucralose and maltodextrin, as these can intensify the symptoms of the condition. These ingredients induce changes in gut bacteria and gut wall immune cell reactivity, which could result in inflammation or disease flare ups in susceptible people.

Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It causes inflammation of your digestive tract, which can lead to abdominal pain, severe diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss and malnutrition.

Speaking about this, Padma Shri Awardee Dr K K Aggarwal, President Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI) and Immediate Past National President Indian Medical Association (IMA), said, “Western diet (processed, fried, and sugary foods) is associated with an increased risk of developing Crohn’s disease, and possibly ulcerative colitis.Refined sugar intake has also been linked to the development of Crohn’s disease. Together, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are referred to as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease have no medical cure. Once the diseases begin, they tend to fluctuate between periods of inactivity (remission) and activity (relapse).”

If a person has a relative with the disease, his/her risk of developing the disease is estimated to be at least 10 times that of the general population and 30 times greater if the relative with Crohn’s disease is a sibling

Adding further, Dr Aggarwal, who is also the Group Editor of IJCP, said, “There is no specific diagnostic test for Crohn’s disease. The diagnosis of Crohn’s disease is suspected in patients with fever, abdominal pain and tenderness, diarrhea with or without bleeding, and anal diseases, such as ulcers or fissures. Laboratory blood tests may show elevated white blood cell counts and sedimentation rates, both of which suggest infection or inflammation. Other blood tests may show low red blood cell counts (anemia), low blood proteins, and low body minerals, reflecting loss of these minerals due to chronic diarrhea.”

HCFI tips to avoid Crohn’s disease.

• Reducing the intake of certain foods, particularly meats and foods high in trans fats and refined sugar, can help lower your risk of getting Crohn’s. Instead, consume a diet high in vegetables, fruits, saturated fats, omega-3s from animal sources and fiber.
• Smoking is the biggest preventable factor in developing Crohn’s disease. Smokers who get Crohn’s disease are found to have more relapses, require more medications and repeat surgeries, and suffer more severe complications.
• Stress, in and of itself, is not considered a cause of Crohn’s disease, but it has been found to influence your digestive process and overall risk of illness. Take steps to manage stress.
• Drink enough water as when the intestines don’t get enough fluids, they cannot perform their duties properly.
• Crohn’s disease may have an infectious component. Vitamin D is nearly as effective as animal-based omega-3 fats in countering this condition.