In my practice, I see how important diet is in influencing our health. Unfortunately in main stream medicine, diet is often overlooked when discussing patient’s treatment plans. What I find even more baffling is when it comes to treating gastrointestinal disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative colitis), patients are often told that what you eat doesn’t matter. Well, I am here to tell you that it 100% does matter. Let’s look at some research that backs up my statement.
A study published in the journal Nutrients in December 2020 emphasized the impact of diet on Crohn’s disease. A specific carbohydrate diet (SCD), modified specific carbohydrate diet (MCSD), or a whole foods diet (WF) were given to pediatric patients diagnosed with mild to moderate Crohn’s disease. The SCD group eliminated all grains, sugars (except honey), all cow’s milk products (except hard cheeses and fermented yogurt), and most processed foods. The modified SCD group eliminated all the same foods that the SCD group eliminated except for rice and oats, and the WF group ate a strict whole foods diet throughout the study.
After 12 weeks, all patients who participated achieved clinical remission!! C-reactive protein levels, an inflammatory marker measured in their blood, significantly decreased in all three diet groups! In addition, the microbiome composition shifted in every patient after the 12-week period! These results emphasize the significant impact that diet and nutrients play in Crohn’s disease. Each diet had a significant effect on disease severity and inflammatory biomarkers. The more restrictive diets were associated with the largest reductions in inflammations.
So, next time your doctor tells you that diet doesn’t impact your health feel free to show them this article :-)
REFERENCES
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33291229/
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Since 2005, Dr. Fey has helped women, men, and children find real solutions to their health concerns. She truly believes that giving the proper care and nutrients your body has an amazing ability to heal. She is committed to finding the root cause of illness by utilizing a whole body approach not just focusing solely on presenting symptoms. With her scientific background, Dr. Fey uses science based natural approaches to treating disease.
Dr. Amanda Fey is the owner and practicing Naturopathic Doctor at Complementary Medicine & Healing Arts, the Southern Tiers Center for Natural Healthcare located in the Binghamton NY area. The office website is www.naturallywell.us. Dr. Fey is currently offering telemedicine for patients all across the US. To contact the office, call 607-729-0591 or email cmhahealth@gmail.com.