Can Diet Impact Inflammatory Bowel Disease?

Written by Christine Bishara MD

If you ever wanted to witness the impetus for a real transformation, try informing a mother that there’s nothing she can do for her ailing child.

This is exactly what happened back in the 1950’s when Elaine Gottschall was told her 4-year-old daughter, Judy, was suffering from an extreme case ulcerative colitis. Judy’s condition up to that point was unresponsive to medications, and as a result was causing significant malnutrition and growth delays. Elaine and her husband were informed that surgery was the only remaining viable option for their very sick daughter. Elaine was desperate as any mother would be to help her child, but she was hesitant to have a surgical procedure that would remove a portion of her colon and leave her with a colostomy bag the rest of her life. Just when she had come to terms with the idea that her daughter’s surgery was inevitable, something remarkable happened. A friend of Elaine introduced her to Dr. Sidney Haas, MD, a 90-year-old physician who dedicated a significant portion of his medical career developing a nutritional strategy for intestinal healing–even documenting his nutritional approach in a textbook which was widely available in almost every medical library across the globe. His colleagues however, uninformed in nutrition, neglected the significance of his research and nutritional approach in maintaining good health, in favor of exploring new and emerging medications and surgical treatments.

So what was this nutritional approach that Dr. Haas had been developing, and did it help Judy? We’ll get to that later, but let’s talk briefly about what inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is, as well as, its causes and symptoms.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) are comprised of two conditions, Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s disease. Both causing active inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. While ulcerative colitis is typically limited to the (innermost layer of the colon), the mucosa, Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Typically causing inflammation that spreads through multiple layers of the intestinal lining. Both of these conditions are considered autoimmune diseases; (an autoimmune disease is a condition that arises from an abnormal immune response to a functioning body part), and can often cause other symptoms outside the GI Tract. Diagnosis of these conditions are often made around the time of adolescence to young adulthood.

Symptoms:

Because IBD causes active intestinal inflammation, the accompanying symptoms may include:

• Abdominal pain and cramping
• Abdominal bloating and gas
• Poor appetite
• Intestinal bleeding and diarrhea
• In severe cases, dehydration and subsequent malnutrition result from an inability to absorb any nutrients.

What is the cause of inflammatory bowel disease? 

Although there is no conclusive evidence, various theories have been proposed to explain the root cause of the issue. 

Causes:

1. Genetic. Inflammatory bowel disease has a tendency to run in families.
2. A diet that is heavily influenced by Western culture is considered a significant risk factor for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). This disease is more prevalent in developed countries, and the incidence rate increases among people who migrate to Westernized nations. These findings suggest that environmental or dietary factors may play a crucial role in the development of IBD.
3. Gut dysbiosis: this means there has been a disruption in the balance of the microorganisms residing in the gut, leading to the creation of certain harmful toxins called lipopolysaccha-rides. 

Mycobacterium avium, a bacteria that triggers intestinal infections in cows, is also purported to be a potential cause of the same in humans. The bacteria can be transmitted from the infected cow to humans through contaminated milk, which can result in damage to the intestinal lining.

Emerging data suggests there is a strong correlation between this and the occurrence of IBD, particularly Crohn’s disease.  

Is Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) associated with Crohn’s Disease? | medRxiv  

While there is currently no known cure for IBD, there are treatments and dietary adjustments that may help many people achieve remission. With the right approach, it is possible to manage the symptoms of this condition and improve overall quality of life.

Diet:

Now back to diet and Elaine Gottschall. Desperate to avoid surgery and to assist her daughter, Elaine started Judy on Dr. Haas’s nutritional protocol “The Specific Carbohydrate diet.” Within several months, Judy’s symptoms began improving and within two years, she was completely free of all symptoms. Judy, now in her 60’s, is in remission from her Ulcerative Colitis, while never requiring a single surgery for her condiiton.

What is the science behind this dietary approach which restricts the consumption of all refined carbohydrates? Such as those found in common foods like breads and pastas?

1. Bacterial overgrowth: Having little fiber, foods rich in carbohydrates remain in the intestine longer. These carbohydrates become harmful energy sources for bacteria lead-ing to bacterial overgrowth. These bacteria release the harmful lipopolysaccharides which start to cause injury to the intestinal lining.
2. To protect itself, the intestine secretes mucus to form a barrier in an effort to block the harmful substances. This however, prevents digestive enzymes from further breaking down undigested carbohydrate molecules leading to more bacterial overgrowth and more toxic lipopolysaccharides.
3. Due to the intestinal inflammation from the above processes, the intestine cannot properly absorb nutrients leading to malabsorption and malnutrition.
4. With all the chaos going on in the intestine, the immune system reacts by releasing in-flammatory responders which trigger more inflammation and further damage to the intes-tinal lining.

By excluding certain carbohydrates from the diet, “The Specific Carbohydrate Diet” has helped numerous individuals with Inflammatory bowel disease. It is explained in a book written by Elaine Gottschall called “Breaking The Vicious Cycle.”

Conclusion:

Living with inflammatory bowel disease can be challenging, but it is important to remember that you are not alone. Remember that IBD is a manageable condition, and with the right treatment and support, it is possible to live a full and healthy life. 

If you suspect you might be suffering from inflammatory bowel disease, it’s best to consult your doctor for a proper diagnosis before trying any diet or treatment. We recommend speaking with a healthcare professional who can guide you through the diagnosis process and help you find the best treatment that will match your individual needs.