FODMAP Diet -- does it work??

[johnsonchicky00]

I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease of the Ileum. My doctor suggested checking out the FODMAP diet. Does it work? Is it worth the time and effort to do? Are the dietitians in the USA knowledgeable about this? As I understand the diet originated in England. Thanks for the input.

 

[Jennifer]

There is no one diet out there that will work for everyone. My GI suggested that I go on the Paleo diet. Unfortunately most of the items such as raw fruits, raw vegetables and nuts/seeds are all trigger foods for me. During flares I go on the low residue diet and it helps to reduce my symptoms yet many people find it hard to stick to (or any diet for that matter) because of the lack of choices and the amount of effort involved. Whatever works for you stick with it. There's no harm in trying out different diets.

All of the diets may help in reducing symptoms but reducing inflammation is another matter altogether and I haven't seen any one diet on this forum mentioned where its worked to reduce and prevent inflammation to put and keep people in remission (with exception to the temporary effects of a liquid diet (hopefully while getting TPN) and EN).

Edit: As for dietitians they can be hit or miss just like any doctor out there. Some are great and know what they are talking about and do a great job working with you and others not so much. My dietitian from decades back was very good and I think worth seeing.

 

[Beach]

I thought an interesting and positive sight to see - Dr. Hunters of Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge. He seems to be having success with treating Crohn's patients with diet, often long term he reports. He tends to use an elimination diet, that appears to lean paleo, and uses liquid diets to start off. His sight can be seen at:

http://www.crohns.org.uk/

The Daily Mail had a write up on how his program works, along mention on studies, and sadly lack of funding for larger research work.

"How to tackle Crohn's Disease without the help of drugs"

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1076594/How-tackle-Crohns-Disease-help-drugs.html

 

[kel]

You can also check out Joseph Brasco.

 

[Catherine]

The FODMAP diet started into Australia and is an ibs diet. If some of symptoms are caused by ibs as well as Crohn's it may help.

Below is a link to the website of Sue Shepherd who developed the diet.

http://shepherdworks.com.au/disease-information/low-fodmap-diet

 

[johnsonchicky00]

Thanks everyone for your comments. It's been a while since I have visited so I apologize for the delay in responding. You've given me more information to research. I'm not familiar with the diets mentioned or "Joseph Brasco" but I will check them out. Thanks again.

 

[Essieluv]

My doctor wanted me to try the FODMAP diet to help with my symptoms. It didn't help me, and I found I couldn't eat much because most of the "safe" foods were my biggest triggers. But I figure it's worth a shot, right? You never know, it just might help.

 

[hugh]

I'm not familiar with the diets mentioned or "Joseph Brasco" but I will check them out.

[youtube]C8xLkEHZxDg[/youtube]

Transition to paleo/SCD carefully through something like the SCD introduction diet (google it - you need to get enough food from the few things you can tolerate until you can tolerate more foods)
or
a bit wordy but some good info
http://scdlifestyle.com/2010/10/the-scd-lifestyle-solution-podcast-3-how-we-survived-the-intro-diet/ )