Healthy and balanced nutrition in chronic intestinal diseases
When it comes to nutrition, not only "What?" but also "How?" is important.
- Take time to eat.
- Chewing thoroughly helps digestion and can help nutrients be better absorbed.
- Avoiding foods that are too hot or too cold prevents placing unnecessary strain on your digestive system.
- You should consume several small meals instead of a few large ones. This way, foods are generally better tolerated.
- If you take care to prepare foods in a soft form, you can make many meals more digestible.
- Adjust your diet according to how active your illness currently is and whether you have any complications.
- If you have no symptoms, the most correct approach is to eat a balanced and varied diet, leaving out anything you personally cannot tolerate.
NUTRIENT DEFICIENCY RELATED TO CROHN'S DISEASE AND ULCERATIVE COLITIS
Many patients have an intolerance to certain food components, primarily milk intolerance, and this needs to be investigated.
Focus should be placed on preventing malnutrition and compensating for nutrient deficiencies. Almost half (approximately 40%) of patients show iron deficiency anemia during acute flare-ups. Due to the localization of inflammation, almost all patients have calcium and vitamin D deficiency. Since approximately one-third of patients' blood contains a very low concentration of albumin, sufficient protein must be provided. In addition, fluid-electrolyte losses occur due to severe diarrhea, which need to be closely monitored and compensated for.
Possible causes of nutrient deficiency:
- Pain, diarrhea, and nausea reduce your appetite.
- Intolerance develops to certain foods (those containing lactose, gluten).
- During periods when the intestine is inflamed, the body needs more nutrients, but on the other hand, it also cannot absorb and use certain nutrients.
- In cases of diarrhea, you lose vitamins and minerals along with fluid.
- Medication use can also affect the absorption and processing of nutrients.
FOCUS ON AVOIDING COMPLICATIONS AND IMPROVING SYMPTOMS
In people with chronic inflammatory bowel disease, a modified diet provides, in addition to improvement in symptoms, avoidance of complications. As with normal patients, the goal is a balanced diet containing approximately 30-40 kcal per kilogram of body weight and at least 1 to 1.5 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. Protein drinks can be given if necessary to prevent deficiencies. These drinks should also be consumed in proper dosage, as they frequently lead to the formation of kidney stones in chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, particularly Crohn's disease.
If your body does not receive sufficient nutrients over a long period, malnutrition occurs. As a result, insufficient energy intake and, consequently, weight loss or vitamin-mineral deficiency can be seen.
Taking vitamin supplements or other dietary supplements to prevent a deficiency is not recommended. However, when a deficiency occurs, or when it is anticipated in certain situations that a nutrient cannot be obtained, supplementation should be planned and added. For example, treatment with cortisone preparations can lead to calcium deficiency. But in most cases, it is not enough to simply buy tablets containing calcium, iron, or vitamins from a pharmacy.
The commonly seen zinc deficiency should be emphasized, as it causes taste disturbances and, consequently, restricts food intake. Zinc deficiency should be considered particularly in patients with wound healing disorders and fistulas. Since absorption is reduced, you should have your iron and B12 levels checked frequently.
You can benefit from my book "The Anti-Inflammatory Nutrition Guide" for more information on this and similar topics.
Hüseyin Nazlıkul
Odatv.com