Diet Crohn’s disease risk

Diet as risk for Crohn’s disease?

Over the years, some dietary foods predominant in vegetables and fruit have been thought of as protective. In contrast, fatty foods have been thought as increasing the risk for Crohn's disease. The literature however has been inconsistent. As such, the controversy continues as the precise cause of Crohn’s disease remains an enigma.

Dr. D’Souza and colleagues from Canada reported the results of their study in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases 2008. They examined the dietary patterns and risk for Crohn's disease in children in a case-control study fashion. Subjects included newly diagnosed Crohn’s disease compared with population and/or hospital-based controls.

Dietary patterns were assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. The study comprised of 149 cases of Crohn’s disease and 251 controls.

Girls consuming diet consisting of meats, fatty foods, and desserts had an increased risk by 4.7 fold. In contrast, boys and girls enjoying diet consisting of vegetables, fruits, olive oil, fish, grains, and nuts had a the risk decreased substantially.

The authors concluded that specific dietary patterns could be associated with higher or lower risks for Crohn’s disease in children.

Do you or someone you know has Crohn’s disease? What are your thoughts on the relationship of diet and Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis?