A case study published in the journal Nutrients suggested that adopting a plant-based diet may help manage symptoms of Crohn's disease a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with painful symptoms. Some of the symptoms may include, abdominal pain, diarrhea, bleeding from the rectum, weight loss, and fatigue. According to the findings, a man's symptoms of Crohn's disease disappeared after he gave up on animal based and highly processed foods. He adopted diet comprising only plant foods after a year of standard treatment
Many recent studies have shown that diets comprising fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains can help prevent and treat diabetes, heart disease, some cancers, high blood pressure, and other long-term conditions. The researchers of the latest study said that the findings should prompt further research in the field. It offers hope for hundreds of thousands of people experiencing the painful symptoms associated with Crohn's disease, the researchers noted.
Around half of people with Crohn's disease require surgery within 10 years of receiving a diagnosis. There are very few who can sustain without medicines and clinical aid.
Significant reduction or omission of processed food and dairy products and increased intake of fibre could prove to be beneficial for smooth bowel movements.
The man in the case study was diagnosed with of Crohn's disease at the age of 25. He experienced symptoms such as bloating, bouts of abdominal pain, fatigue, ulcers, and nausea for several years.
Although, the symptoms reduced a bit after he received intravenous infusions of infliximab every 8 weeks for 1 year, he did not "achieve clinical remission." He continued to experience recurrent bouts of abdominal pain, and fatigue.
At some point during his second year of using the medication, he gave up eating animal and processed foods for 40 days. He did so due to religious reasons, but noticed a significant change as far as his condition was concerned. Following a plant-based diet helped him resolve a lot of his symptoms associated to Crohn's disease.
Prior to switching to plant-based diet, his diet included a lot of meat, processed food, refined grains, dairy and junk food. He reduced his consumption of processed foods and animal produts to a maximum of one serving per week.
Alongwith the plant-based diet, he also took up yoga, running, and strength training, which according to him helped him heal even better. After 6 months of sticking to the new diet and lifestyle, he was healed completely with no visible evidence of Crohn's disease, the researchers noted.