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Diet and Nutrition in the Treatment of Crohn’s Disease

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Crohn’s Disease

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Abstract

Diet and nutrition both play a role in the treatment of Crohn’s disease (CD). Diet is defined as the food a person eats whereas nutrition is the process by which the body uses nutrients from the diet. Research suggests that there is an epidemiologic association between diet and CD, yet to date there is no consistent evidence that any specific food or diet causes the development of or induces a flare of CD. Nor is there evidence that diet can cure CD (Diet, nutrition, and inflammatory bowel disease. Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America). However, diet can have a significant impact on patient symptoms. In addition, CD is associated with protein calorie malnutrition and vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Therefore, adequate diet and nutrition are essential to the management of CD and should be used in conjunction with medical and surgical treatments for the most effective outcome. In this chapter we will explore diet recommendations, common nutritional complications, how to identify and treat nutrient deficiencies, and explore some of the growing evidence for a connection between diet and development of CD.

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Abbreviations

CD:

Crohn’s disease

EN:

Enteral nutrition

FODMAPS:

Fermentable oligo- di-mono saccharides and polyols

IBD:

Inflammatory bowel disease

MSVS:

Multivitamin mineral supplement

SCFA:

Short chain fatty acids

TPN:

Total parenteral nutrition

UC:

Ulcerative colitis

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Outpatient Nutrition, University of Washington Medical Center, 1959 NE Pacific Street, 98195, Seattle, WA, USA

    Diane R. Javelli RDCD

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  1. Diane R. Javelli RDCD
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Correspondence to Diane R. Javelli RDCD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, Washington, USA

    Alessandro Fichera

  2. Department of Surgery, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, Washington, USA

    Mukta K. Krane

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Javelli, D.R. (2015). Diet and Nutrition in the Treatment of Crohn’s Disease. In: Fichera, A., Krane, M. (eds) Crohn’s Disease. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-14181-7_21

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-14181-7_21

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-14180-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-14181-7

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