3 Steps to Controlling Crohn’s Disease Naturally

Crohn’s Disease is an inflammatory process of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract that can debilitate sufferers and alter their lifestyles dramatically. While there is no cure, Crohn’s disease can be treated naturally using some easy to follow guidelines.

While not precisely an auto-immune disease, Crohn’s is a malfunction of the immune system that leaves the patient with abdominal pain, skin lesions, and such altered digestion that getting adequate nutrition can be difficult.

Western medicine provides some drug therapies aimed at generally reducing inflammation in the body (corticosteroids) or by altering the functioning of the immune system (chemotherapy). As with any drug therapy, the incidence of side effects needs to be factored into treatment.

Surgery is also employed for more severe symptoms of Crohn’s, with all of the inherent risks of that treatment protocol.

All of these practices have their place in the management of the disease process but there are alternative and complementary tools that you can also employ.

There is Good News!

Since there are no specific medical treatments that effectively treat the full spectrum of symptoms, Crohn’s Disease can be managed by employing some not-too-drastic approaches to diet.

Step #1

As with any condition that has responsive symptoms, my first question is always, “What are your triggers?” What do you do that makes the symptoms worse?

You don’t know?

There’s your first homework assignment. You need to find out what makes things worse in order to make things get better. Once you have a catalog of these, you have your starting list of things and activities to avoid.

It’s as simple as that.

Step #2

Since Crohn’s is a digestive disorder, foods become an obvious place to manage symptoms. In tandem with Step #1 (your known problem foods or drinks), here are some foods that work.

• Lean protein – eggs, fish, creamy peanut butter, lean meat, chicken
• Fruits and vegetables – being careful to avoid too much fiber
• Pasta, rice, white bread – again, nutritious while avoiding too much fiber
• Low-fat dairy – yogurt, milk, unless lactose intolerance is a factor
• Water, water, water

There are a number of foods that aggravate Crohn’s, not least of which is our fatty, overly processed meat diet. So avoid or use the following sparingly.

• Red meat and dark poultry
• Butter and full fat dairy
• Caffeinated drinks
• Alcohol
• Spices
• High fiber grains and vegetables (roughage, as it was called in my day)

Given the severity that Crohn’s can exhibit in the GI system, nutritional supplementation under the guidance of your healthcare professional may also be advised.

Step #3

Pay attention to what is going on. Living with Crohn’s Disease is a lifelong project where you are learning about your body as it responds to your environment. Find the things that work well and pay attention to the things that do not.

As you age, expect that your body will change over time, so what used to work well, may not anymore. Be willing to experiment and adapt.

And pay attention to what is going on in the world! Crohn’s is a manageable condition that does not mean that you cannot participate in Life. There are lots of resources online and in social media, like my friend Jack Lima’s website, where you can find support and information. Get connected because you are not alone contending with Crohn’s.

While the Science is just beginning to be published on the matter, cannabis is also receiving positive reviews for managing Crohn’s symptoms.

So help is available and just a click or a tap away. Join in!

 

Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I’ll try again tomorrow.
― Mary Anne Radmacher