How much can what we eat help inflammatory bowel disease?

Speaking at the event, Dr Alan Desmond, Consultant Gastroenterologist at South Devon Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, UK, suggested that active Crohn’s Disease (CD) can be successfully reversed by adopting a Whole Food Plant Based Diet (WFPBD). He cited data from two trials which have shown diets like the WFPBD, which restricts animal protein, animal fat, omega-6 PUFAs, dairy, emulsifiers and food additives while providing dietary fibre can bring improvements in people with Crohn’s in just six weeks. Patients in the trials obtained 50% of caloric intake from an enteral formula (an artificial ‘complete nutrition’ product) and the remaining 50% from a WFPBD. Desmond noted that people with newly diagnosed Crohn’s, in addition to people with an established and ‘difficult-to-treat’ condition, showed complete remission rates of 62% and 71% while significant clinical improvements of 90% and 79% were seen. Even more remarkably, according to Desmond, out of 18 patients who refused to take the enteral formula and instead pursued a WFPBD solely, 14 achieved complete remission. Evidence also suggests that CD remission may be maintained over the longer-term even if only a semi-vegetarian diet is followed, he said. Fibre – good for Crohn’s?​ A low-fibre diet has always been the standard advice for Crohn’s patients, with the underlying rationale of avoiding flare-ups. Yet many studies showed no benefit, or even harmful effects of this regime, Desmond ...
Source: Nursing Comments - Category: Nursing Authors: Tags: Nutrition Source Type: blogs