You can use bacteria for fighting bacteria! Confused? Some health disorders that are caused by bad bacteria can be directly treated or the symptoms can be eased to a large extent by consuming good bacteria, commonly referred to as probiotics. Before you know how they can help manage Crohn’s disease, you must know what it is all about. Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the functioning of the intestines.
The immune system of those affected by this disease starts attacking the good bacteria present in the gut, resulting in a steep depletion of good bacteria. The term probiotics can be split into “pro” meaning for, and “biota” meaning life. Probiotics play a key role in the replenishment of good bacteria in the gut, which in turn improves digestion and overall health. Hence, consuming probiotics for Crohn’s disease may be considered as an effective treatment method.
The role of good bacteria
The bacteria present in our digestive system play a key role in digestion and immunity. A healthy gut maintains a delicate balance of good bacteria. This balance is essential for proper digestion and assimilation of food. Digestive disorders like Crohn’s or intake of antibiotics tend to upset this balance, resulting in inflammation of the intestines and poor digestion. Due to the depletion of naturally occurring good bacteria in the gut, there is a need for external replenishment by consuming probiotics.
Probiotics for Crohn’s Disease
A typical symptom of Crohn’s disease is alternating periods of flare up and inactivity. This is an autoimmune disease that has no cure, but symptoms can be managed by maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Consuming probiotics for Crohn’s disease helps in managing the symptoms effectively. Ensuring a good supply of nutrients to the stomach and intestines helps bring about remission. Crohn’s disease diet plan must include probiotics, which have proven digestive benefits. The main advantage of taking probiotics to ease symptoms of Crohn’s is that they are natural sources that contain live active cultures in contrast to dried or dormant bacteria.
Can probiotics help in the treatment of Crohn’s Disease?
Probiotics help in restoring the lost balance of gut bacteria due to Crohn’s disease. They work in a twofold manner: first to replenish the lost gut bacteria, the second is to help heal intestinal inflammation. Although, the role of probiotics in treating Crohn’s has not been established clearly, regulated consumption of probiotics foods is known to improve digestion and immunity.
List of food items for Chron’s Disease
Crohn’s affects different people in different ways, meaning there cannot be a general rule book for the foods to eat or to avoid. It is essential that each person evaluates his/her own experience with different food, before arriving at a list of foods to have and to avoid. However, the primary characteristic of food to be consumed by those affected with Crohn’s should be easily digestible. Here is a list of food items you should include in your Crohn’s disease diet plan:
Foods to avoid when you have Crohn’s disease
Although the role of probiotics is improving the overall health of a person, the role that it plays in treating Crohn’s disease symptoms is yet to be clearly established. Consuming probiotics foods is generally considered safe unless you have a weak immune system or if your Crohn’s symptoms are triggered by certain foods. Probiotics for Crohn’s disease must be consumed after detailed consultation with your physician and ruling out of any food intolerances.