Crohn's Disease, any advice?

[coolwater]

My friend has Crohn's Disease, and his doctor is telling him not to eat meat because it will exacerbate his condition and lead to bowel cancer. So all he's eating are vegetables and soya milk (for protein!). He called me the other night saying he was going to eat a big steak, he felt like he had a big empty hole in his stomach from abstaining from meat. I told him his doctor is full of crap for telling him not to eat meat and that he should go right ahead. But I don't know anything about Crohn's and don't want to misadvise him, however I have read that eating LC would help. Is there anyone who has more knowledge about the disease and what foods are best to eat? :help:

Thanks so much! :wave:

[Kestrel]

Your friend needs to read Life Without Bread, by Dr. Wolgang Lutz; its describes how he's successfully treated Crohn's with his version of low-carb diets. Another of his books, only available in german, covers such intestinal disorders in much greater detail, since Lutz took particular interest in such things in his medical practice.

[Rosebud]

Hi there,

I would strongly advise you to tell your friend to read a book called "Breaking the Vicious Cycle" by Elaine Gottschall.

It is the textbook for the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD). (http://www.lowcarb.ca/atkins-diet-and-low-carb-plans/specific-carbohydrate-diet.html) This diet has controlled the symptoms for many people with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's Disease. I follow it to control my outbreaks of diverticulitis, and it has made a huge difference to me.

You certainly get to eat meat on the diet, with no starches or sugars. It is not specifically a weight loss diet, so if your friend is not overweight, he can have honey and higher GI fruits. So your instinct that low carb will help him is right on the money. He may not want to change his diet so drastically, but I would encourage him to give it a try.

You (and he) can find more information on SCD here: http://www.breakingtheviciouscycle.info/index.htm

Rosebud:rose:

[RhondaK]

My husband has had crohn's disease since 1999. He has had half his colon and foot and a half of his small intestine removed along with his gallbladder, appendix and had 1 year where he passed 13 kidney stones.
All this from following doctors advice which was basically no fresh veggies , They can clog them up told him to eat canned fruits and veggies. NEVER said a thing about meat.
Anyway we went on Atkins and he eats LOTS of meat. and fresh veggies coming out his ears lol.
He feels better and had fewer flareups on Atkins. After a year of just Atkins they started him on Remicaide infusions every 8 weeks and between the two he is like a new man. No hospital stays and no flare ups he truly beleives this WOE makes him better and all the bread, starches and milks are what was doing him in.
I am not a doctor just relating my husbands experience and I gotta say that no meat thing sounds rediculous never heard or read that before.

[bigted]

I have IBS and it's been almost non-existent since following a low carb lifestyle. In fact since I have ditched the processed foods I have been so much better in many respects. Not being worried about were the nearest bathroom is, is such a relief. I would certainly say that dropping meat seems rather odd to me.

[black57]

Oh my, reading this tells me how important meat is to our diets and how bad pasta is. I don't have any tummy ailments but last night I had a carby meal with some friends and I felt awful. For breakfast today I had a delicious healthy steak, with one egg and sauteed onions and mushrooms. Not only was it delicious but my gut feels so much better. What is wrong with some people?!?!

Coolwater, how did your friend feel after eating the steak?

[coolwater]

Thanks so much everyone for your advice! :wave: I've forwarded all your suggestions to him. He felt much better when he ate that steak!

[1865lis]

I feel so sorry for your friend! I too have Crohn's. I've seen that MDs have little if any training in diet and nutrition.

I'll be that doctor told your friend to avoid meat and didn't offer any folic acid or iron supplements either. Your friend was probably as anemic as hell. It's very hard for Crohn's patients to absorb nutrients from food in the first place,cause our intestines are in such sorry shape.

I've read the Gottschall book and know people that have had great results with that diet. I just heard of the Lutz book today on this forum and will be looking for it in the future. Best of luck to your friend.

[coolwater]

Thanks 1865lis, my friend says he's going to look into all the info everyone has shared with me here. Hopefully he'll find something that works for him.