The Elimination Diet
Oligoantigenic or elimination diets consist of foods which might have a lower incidence of producing allergic reactions. For a long time now people are aware of the connection between the development of IBD and food allergies and now there are some studies using an elimination diet in the treatment of IBD.(1-3) These studies show that an elimination diet should be the primary therapy in the treatment of chronic IBD.
The foods causing the most problems for IBD patients are wheat and dairy products. Another way to determine the actual food allergy is via laboratory testing measuring both the IgG and IgE mediated reactions. A test available is the ELISA test. Then the allergens may be avoided or a rotary diet may be adopted.
The High- Complex Carbohydrate, High Fiber Diet
Such a treatment has been shown to have favorable effects on the course of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.(4) Please be aware that THIS IS IN TOTAL CONTRAST TO THE ALLOPATHIC (your Family physician) TREATMENT OF IBD WHICH PRESCRIBES A LOW FIBER DIET! The dietary treatment should consist of foods rich in fiber and UNREFINED carbohydrates, and this should be combined with the avoidance of all known food allergens. This combination is much more effective than a high fiber diet in itself. (2) Dietary fiber has a great effect on intestinal flora.(5) Again to emphasize that there might be a high degree of wheat intolerance in patients with IBD, supplemental wheat-bran should be avoided at all cost.
In order to get necessary nutrients from the diet it absolutely essential that patients with IBD take a high-quality multiple vitamin and mineral supplement providing all known vitamins and minerals. Additional antioxidants patients with IBD should look into taking are vitamin E and vitamin C, the two antioxidants found in the human body. Vitamin C is aqueous meaning it is found in compartments composed of water, whereas Vitamin E is lipid based, found in fat-soluble body compartments such as cell membranes and other fatty molecules. Daily dosage according to this text (6) should be: Vitamin E (d-alpha tocopherol): 400-800IU Vitamin C (ascorbic acid): 1,000- 3,000 mg
Next the role of Zinc, Folic Acid and Vitamin B12 in IBD
Beste Gesundheit, Werner
1. Voitk A.J., et al. Experience with Elemental Diet in the Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Arch Surg 107 (1973):329-33
2. Workman E. Jonmes A., Wilson A.J., Hunter J.O. Diet in the Management of Crohn's Disease. Human Nutr: Applied Nutr 38A (1984): 469-73
3. Jones V.A., Workman E., Freeman A.H., et al. Crohn's Disease: Maintenance of Remission by Diet. Lancet ii (1985):177-80
4. Heaton K.W., Thornton J.R., Emmett P.M. Treatment of Crohn's Disease with an Unrefined-Carbohydrate, Fiber-Rich Diet. Br Me J 279 (1979):764-6
5. Salyers A.A., Kurtitza A.P., McCarthy R.E. Influence of Dietary Fiber on the Intestinal Environment. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 180 (1981):415-21
6: Murray M. N.D., Pizzorno J. N.D. Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine. (1998) Three Rivers Press New York, New York. pg. 597.
