crohn’s and colitis foundation
Foods to Avoid if You Have Crohn’s Disease
Crohn’s disease affects hundreds of thousands of people worldwide. It is a difficult disease that causes intense gastrointestinal discomfort. One of the most concerning components of Crohn’s disease is malabsorption.
Malabsorption occurs when your body cannot effectively absorb nutrients and vitamins from foods. People who have been diagnosed with Crohn’s disease may be worried about what foods they should eat, what foods they can’t eat, and what vitamins and minerals they need to take to stay happy and healthy.
In today’s blog, we will be discussing a wide range of foods that those with Crohn’s disease should steer clear of. While Crohn’s disease affects everyone differently, and certain harmful foods for one person are fine for another, this is just a very basic guide so that you can be more aware of what foods may cause more gastrointestinal discomfort than others.
If you want to ensure that your body is getting the right amount of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, be sure to talk to your health care professional about Forvia®. Forvia is a multivitamin specifically designed for people with gastrointestinal conditions. Forvia is one of the best multivitamins for Crohn’s disease because it can help combat malabsorption.
If you are interested in trying Forvia, be sure to visit our website for a complete list of ingredients and nutrient content. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Inovera Bioscience™. We are happy to answer any and all of your questions about Forvia or any of our products specifically designed for those diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and other inflammatory bowel diseases.
No-Go Foods for Crohn’s Disease
As we mentioned earlier, this is designed to be a cursory list of foods to avoid if you have Crohn’s disease. This is not intended to be a definitive listing of foods to avoid, but consider it as an introductory list that should inspire you to do more personal research.
During disease flares, it is possible that some foods that didn’t trigger symptoms will now have an effect on you. Be sure to talk to your doctor or keep track of which foods impact you more than others.
- Alcohol. While many people enjoy a glass of wine with dinner, those who have been diagnosed with Crohn’s disease should consider abstaining. Alcohol can damage the lining of your stomach and cause further irritation.
- Oily and fried foods. While most of us should only consume these foods in limited quantities, folks with Crohn’s disease may experience more gastrointestinal distress when they eat oily or fried foods. This also includes butter, mayonnaise, margarine, and certain nut butters, since nut butters have high amounts of oil in them.
- Coffee, tea, and chocolate. Many folks diagnosed with Crohn’s disease have difficulty consuming these delicacies because of the caffeine content.
- Carbonated drinks. Even if your favorite soda doesn’t have caffeine in it, the carbonic acid in many carbonated drinks may cause a flare. Be advised when consumer anything that has been carbonated.
- Dairy. Even if you don’t have a history of lactose intolerance, it is recommended that those diagnosed with Crohn’s abstain from dairy products. Because Crohn’s damages the digestive tract, a side effect can be lactose intolerance.
- Cured and high-fat meats. While we all love a slice or two of bacon with our breakfast, these foods are very high in fat. While it is important to consume protein in your diet, the high-fat content of cured meats and sausages can cause additional gastrointestinal distress and diarrhea.
- Popcorn. Popcorn is many cinephiles’ favorite snack, but it can wreak havoc on the digestive system of someone with Crohn’s disease. Whole grains are difficult to breakdown and process, which is why popcorn is a food you should stay away from if you have been diagnosed with Crohn’s disease.
- Fruit and vegetable skins. The skin of many fruits and vegetables contains copious amounts of fiber. The downside? When you have Crohn’s disease and you are experiencing a flare-up, these foods can cause major digestive problems.
What Can You Do if You Have Crohn’s Disease?
One of the most important things to do if have been diagnosed with Crohn’s disease is to develop an effective diet plan to ensure that you can mitigate the effects of malabsorption.
As far as foods to eat, the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation recommends a variety of different foods that can help you maintain weight. Many of the foods they recommend include refined grains, low-fiber fruits, lean protein, and lactose-free dairy.
Having a diet that is paired with a vitamin and nutrient supplement is a great way to ensure that you are maintaining a healthy weight and experiencing minimal flare-ups. Forvia is an effective multivitamin that is designed specifically for people who have been diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. If you are interested in learning more about Forvia and how it can help reduce the effects of malabsorption, be sure to visit our website today.
What is Ulcerative Colitis?
Ulcerative colitis (UC) affects about 900,000 people in the United States, and it is more common than Crohn’s disease. At its base, it is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that impacts your large intestine, or colon. Researchers and doctors have not pinpointed the cause of UC, but researchers do understand that UC significantly impacts the lives of those who have it.
One of the biggest issues with those diagnosed with UC is the inability to absorb water, vitamins, and minerals in the digestive tract. This condition, called malabsorption, can lead to malnutrition, anemia, and other conditions that result from having UC. If you have been diagnosed with UC and want to make sure you are getting your vitamins and minerals, take a multivitamin specially designed for those with UC and other gastrointestinal conditions. Forvia®, by Inovera Bioscience, was developed for patients with UC and other irritable bowel diseases. Forvia contains the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K in water-miscible form to enable optimal absorption and efficiency. To learn more about our multivitamin, gives us a call today at 866-619-7705 or visit our website.
Signs and Symptoms
If you think you might have UC, it is important to consult your doctor for a diagnosis. We provide this guide for informational purposes, and it should not be used in replacement of a diagnosis.
Ulcerative colitis is most common in adults, and it develops slowly rather than coming on suddenly. When you start experiencing regular diarrhea, abdominal pain, and blood in your stool, you should see a doctor immediately. While these are some of the most distressing signs, the Mayo Clinic also lists the following symptoms:
Rectal pain
Urgency to defecate
Inability to defecate despite the urgent feeling
Weight loss
Fatigue
Fever
Stunted growth in children
The last symptom of UC may be surprising. After a closer look, the root of stunted growth and weight loss is malabsorption caused by UC.
How Ulcerative Colitis Operates
A healthy colon has a normal immune system response to bacteria and viruses that may appear in your digestive tract. For people with Ulcerative Colitis, the immune system response in the colon overreacts. As a result, the inner lining of the colon becomes inflamed. Once the lining of the intestines is inflamed, malabsorption begins, causing malnutrition and nutrient deficiencies.
The symptoms of ulcerative colitis can be different for each person, and it can develop over time and change. Many people report peripheral symptoms like joint pain and swelling, skin rashes, osteoporosis in the bones, and liver problems. Many of these issues stem from the inability to effectively absorb nutrients.
Ways to Stay Healthy with Ulcerative Colitis
In a recent survey from the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, the psychological impact of UC became very clear: in the survey, 69 percent of patients with UC reported that they would have been more successful people if they didn’t have UC. Of the patients surveyed, 64 percent felt like “UC controls their life rather than them controlling their disease.”
It is important to seek help for your Ulcerative Colitis. Be sure to consult a doctor frequently. Visiting the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation’s website will also give you access to a host of resources that can help you better understand the disease and seek different treatment options.
One important way you can help keep your body healthy and strong is by taking multivitamins for ulcerative colitis. There are specially designed multivitamin and mineral tablets and chews for people suffering from gastrointestinal conditions that result in malabsorption. Forvia Multivitamin and Mineral Tablet or Chewable is a nutritional supplement designed for those with UC and other irritable bowel diseases. If you’re ready to try a nutritional supplement for ulcerative colitis-related malabsorption, try Forvia Multivitamin and Mineral Tablets and Chewables. Visit our website for more information today.
VIDEO: Are Your Shoes Summer Ready?
It’s the official kick off to Summer 2017!! Are your shoes ready for all the outdoor activities?