Additional causes of Crohn's disease might include:
Immune System Abnormality Immune system disturbances are thought to be the cause of IBD, but most evidence indicates that a compromised immune system is likely secondary to the disease process.
Dietary Factors
Crohn's disease and dietary factors are hardly put together when it comes to standard medical and gastroenterology literature. However there is strong evidence supporting the fact that diet is being the most causative factor. (1- 12) Crohn's disease is on the rise in countries where the diet consist of high saturated fats, refined carbs, and sugars. It is virtually non-existent in countries with a "primitive" diet, that being one high in fiber. (1-5) The increase in cases of Crohn's disease could be explained simply by the change of diet over the last century, after all, food IS the major factor determining the intestinal environment.
Several studies have shown that people who eventually fall victim to Crohn's disease consume a diet of substantially increased refined sugars and less raw fruit, vegetables and dietary fiber than healthy people. (1-5) Western medical practitioners (i.e your family physician), might forget to consider another important dietary factor to Crohn's disease. The medical texts usually don't discuss the role of food allergies in conjunction with Crohn's disease. Clinical studies have shown with great success that an elemental diet, intravenous nutrition, or an exclusion diet may treat IBD. (7-12) I will have a post in itself about correcting nutritional deficiencies.
Miscellaneous Factors
Psychological factors, trauma, and vascular disturbances have been thought to be a cause for IBD but as of now there is not enough evidence supporting this theory. Even though there is little evidence supporting the psychologic factors as being the cause of IBD, there is absolutely no apprehension that emotional components are momentous in modifying the succession of the disease.
Tomorrow: Therapeutic Considerations
Beste Gesundheit
Werner
1. Levi A.J., Diet in the Management of Crohn's Disease, Gut 26 (1985): 985-8
2. Jarnerot J., Jarnmark I., Nilson K. Consumption of Refined Sugar by Patients with Crohn's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, or Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Scand J Gastroenterol 18 (1983); 999-1002
3. Mayberry J.F., Rhodes J., Newcombe R.G. Increased Sugar Consumption in Crohn's Disease. Digestion 20 (1980):323-6
4. Grimes D.S. Refined Carbohydrate, Smooth-Muscle Spasm, and Diseases of the Colon. Lancet i (1976):395-7
5. Thornton J.R., Emmet P.M., Heaton K.W. Diet and Crohn's Disease: Characteristics of the Pre-Illness Diet. Br Med J 279 (1979): 762-4
6. Heaton K.W., Thornton J.R., Emmet P.M. Treatment of Crohn's Disease with Unrefined-Carbohydrate, Fiber-Rich Diet. Br Med J 279 (1979):764-6
7. Morain C.O., Segal A.W., Levi A.J. Elemental Diet as Primary Treatment of Acute Crohn's Disease: A Controlled Trial. Br Med J 288 (1984):1859-62
8. Harries A.D., Danis V., Heatley R.V., et al. Controlled Trial of Supplemental Oral Nutrition inn Crohn's Disease. Lancet i (1983): 887-90
9. Axelsson C., Jarnum S. Assessment of the Therapeutic Value of an Elemental Diet in Chronic Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Scand J Gastroenterol 12 (1977):89-95
10: Voitk A.J. et al. Experience with Elemental Diet in the Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Arch Surg 107 (1973):329-33
11. Workman E., Jonmes A., Wilson A.J., Hunter J.O. Diet in the Management of Crohn's Disease. Human Nutr: Applied Nutri 38A (1984):469-73
12. Jones V.A., Workman E., Freeman A.H., et al. Crohn's Disease: Maintenance of Remission by Diet. Lancet ii (1985):177-80