Nutritional Recommendations for Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Live Healthy with 24vita

2024-04-07 07:58:00

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As of: April 7, 2024, 9:58 a.m

By: Judith Braun

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People who suffer from inflammatory bowel disease have problems with the digestive system. Nutritional recommendations should help you.

According to the Bern intestinal center a group of diseases affecting the digestive system. Due to wave-like inflammation, these lead to long-term complaints in the gastrointestinal tract, for example abdominal pain, mucus in the stool, diarrhea with blood and symptoms from other organ systems. Since those affected are at increased risk of malnutrition, according to the Doctors newspaper a poor prognosis. The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) has therefore developed new nutritional recommendations for people with IBD.

Inflammatory bowel disease: Five tips for a suitable diet

Abdominal pain is a typical symptom of chronic inflammatory bowel disease. © Pond5 Images/IMAGO

Mediterranean diet: If IBD is present, experts recommend that those affected follow a Mediterranean diet – as long as there is no contraindication to medication or another type of treatment. This includes eating lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, monounsaturated fatty acids, complex carbohydrates and lean proteins. However, patients should reduce their consumption of salt, sugar and highly processed foods.

Careful chewing: People with painful narrowings in the intestines, as reported by the Medical University of Vienna those who occur with Crohn’s disease often cannot tolerate fibrous plant foods. In order to incorporate more plant-based foods and fiber into your diet, you should pay attention to careful chewing and cooking as well as processing vegetables and fruits to a soft consistency, as this can aid in digestion.

Regular checks for malnutrition: Because there is a risk of malnutrition in patients with IBD, the AGA calls for regular screening for malnutrition. Symptoms such as edema, unintentional weight loss or loss of fat and muscle mass should be assessed. If these warning signs occur in a patient, a comprehensive assessment of malnutrition should be carried out by a nutritionist.

Nutritional advice: According to scientists, people with complicated IBD who are receiving outpatient or inpatient treatment in particular need nutritional advice. These primarily include cases of, for example, malnutrition or short bowel syndrome.

Early interventions: Breastfeeding can reduce the risk of childhood IBD. Adults, on the other hand, can prevent the development of IBD with the help of a Mediterranean diet.

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This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. It in no way replaces a visit to the doctor. Our editors are not allowed to answer individual questions about medical conditions.