Should You Try Intermittent Fasting if You Have Crohn’s?
Given the lack of large-scale research and potential negative effects of IF, experts are hesitant to recommend it for people with Crohn’s disease. They also cite that those with Crohn’s may already be underweight or deficient in certain nutrients. One research review notes that the risk of nutrient deficiencies includes people who are overweight or have obesity, since IBD affects nutrient absorption.
“Limiting the amount of time you eat each day — or even the number of days per week — also limits the number of opportunities you have to get calories, vitamins, and minerals into your body,” Kennedy says. “This isn’t a good idea for anyone who is underweight.”
“This also brings up concerns about triggering unhealthy relationships with food, especially in younger people or those with a history of disordered eating,” says Abraham.
She recommends that people avoid IF during a flare, because the eating pattern can increase the risk of dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. If you have strictures, are at risk for a bowel obstruction, or have had major intestinal surgery, Abraham says you should avoid IF, too. If you’re overweight or have obesity, are in remission from Crohn’s, have a stable medication regimen, and are getting adequate nutrients, she says you might be a candidate for IF.
Always talk to your doctor first if you’re thinking about trying IF, however.
“If a Crohn’s patient is trying intermittent fasting, I would certainly recommend working with a registered dietitian-nutritionist who specializes in digestive conditions,” says Kennedy. “It’s important that their weight and diet be tracked even more closely than is usually recommended while on IF.”
If IF is causing you to lose out on vitamins and minerals, or if it is complicating your Crohn’s symptoms, you should stop, she says.
And if you are modifying your diet in the hope of better control over your symptoms, keep in mind that it’s not a substitute for medications and shouldn’t be used to treat intestinal inflammation, Dr. Gaidos says.
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