Black Friday Code: DIGEST35
Virtual Clinic Store
Virtual Clinic Store
Articles
Evidence based
Evidence Based

This article is based on scientific evidence, written by experts and fact checked by experts.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strive to be objective, unbiased, honest and to present both sides of the argument.

This article contains scientific references. The numbers in the parentheses (1, 2, 3) are clickable links to peer-reviewed scientific papers.

The Gut-Skin Connection: How to Heal A Crohn’s Disease Rash

Written by Michael Ruscio on August 19, 2022

Written by Michael Ruscio on August 19, 2022 — Reviewed by Aimee Gallo

Why Gut Health Matters When It Comes to Clearer Skin

They say that our skin is a reflection of our digestive health. And when it comes to dealing with a Crohn’s disease rash, this couldn’t be closer to the truth. If red bumps, rashes, cracks, or other skin lesions have recently popped up, it’s probably time to time to take a deeper look — at your gut.

Most people who have Crohn’s disease are very familiar with the digestive complaints that serve as the hallmark sign of this condition. However, nearly half of those diagnosed with this Crohn’s have non-digestive symptoms, with the skin being the next most commonly affected organ [1]. Erythema nodosum, canker sores, abscesses, and fissures (cracks) are all common manifestations of Crohn’s disease, and this is just to name a few. 

If you’re suffering from a Crohn’s disease rash, relief is on the way. When you have inflammatory bowel disease (and even if you don’t) healing your skin begins with addressing your gut health. Our 4-step, get-healing plan for Crohn’s disease includes a low FODMAP diet, probiotics, stress reduction, and fixing any gut bacteria imbalances. 

These tools can help lower inflammation, regulate your immune system, and get your digestive tract back to optimal health. Not to mention they will help you face the world with clear, glowing skin.

woman scratching her itchy back with allergy rash

The Gut-Skin Connection

Research now supports that your skin is a representation of your digestive health [2, 3, 4]. Many skin conditions are thought to be linked to the gut, including acne, eczema, and psoriasis [5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10].

While the exact mechanism of this connection isn’t quite clear, it’s likely due to an altered immune response. One study showed that those with rosacea (an inflammatory skin condition) often have small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), which can cause inflammation. After the gut dysbiosis was treated, 93% of participants also saw an improvement in their rosacea [11].

Furthermore, people with psoriasis (an autoimmune skin condition), have more pathogenic bacteria in their gut, less healthy bacteria, and higher rates of dysbiosis than healthy populations [12, 13, 14, 15].

We may not have a rock-solid explanation quite yet, but the link between the skin and the gut is strong. The skin-gut axis is further supported by how common skin lesions are in autoimmune GI diseases, like IBD. In fact, a quarter of those diagnosed with Crohn’s disease had skin symptoms that preceded their digestive symptoms [1].

With this in mind, unhealthy skin can be seen as a warning sign that something deeper is going on. This is why it’s so important that we listen to what our body has to say and pay attention to our gut health.

What Is A Crohn’s Disease Rash?

Crohn’s disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that primarily affects the gastrointestinal tract and frequently presents with skin problems. A Crohn’s disease rash can take many different shapes and show up anywhere on the body.

Abscesses, fissures (cracks), and fistulas (a passage between the intestines and the skin) present near the anus and are at the top of the list, as they affect a third of those with Crohn’s. Oral skin lesions, like aphthous ulcers (canker sores), are also common and are similar to the intestinal ulcers found in IBD [1].

However, when it specifically comes to Crohn’s disease rashes, the most common rash is erythema nodosum. Erythema nodosum presents as red or purple nodules that lie under the skin, primarily on the shins, and are often painful [16].

For a comprehensive list of skin manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease, see the chart below [1]:

Keep in mind that there are a lot of different skin conditions that can be linked to Crohn’s disease and you don’t really need to know all of the information below. However, it’s here as a reference and can help point you in the right direction if a new rash or other skin lesion starts to pop up.

CategoryType of LesionPrevalence
Specific LesionsCutaenous lesions: ulcers, fissures, abscesses, fistulae, or skin tags found in the mouth or near the anus/rectum

Metastatic Crohn’s disease: plaques, nodules, or ulcers found on the face, genitals, arms, and legs		Up to 33% of Crohn’s patients have perianal fissures/ fistulae
Reactive LesionsPyoderma gangrenosum: tender papules or pustules that turn into an ulcer

Sweet’s Syndrome: neutrophilic dermatosis, papules and plaques on the head, neck, and arms		Sweet’s syndrome is relatively uncommon and presents with fever, high white blood cells, and muscle pain
Associated LesionsErythema Nodosum: red nodules typically found on the shins

Oral lesions: aphthous ulcers (canker sores), pyostomatitis vegetans, periodontitis (gum disease)		Erythema nodosum occurs in 6-15% of Crohn’s patients and it is more common in women

Oral lesions appear in 10% of those with Crohn’s
Drug-induced LesionsAppear similar to eczema or psoriasis

Caused by anti-TNF (tumor necrosis factor) therapy: infliximab, adalimumab, etanercept, etc.		Presents in 5-10% of those taking anti-TNF drugs

How to Treat a Crohn’s Disease Rash Naturally

As we saw above, Crohn’s disease rashes come in many different shapes and sizes, and can occur just about anywhere on the body. However, they all have the same underlying cause — an unhealthy gut.

We created an IBD-friendly guide to healing your gut, that can also leave you with clear and healthy skin. The foundations of Crohn’s disease treatment include:

  1. Eating an anti-inflammatory diet
  2. Supporting the gut with probiotics
  3. Changing your lifestyle to better manage stress
  4. Treating any bacterial overgrowth

Let’s dive into step one. 

Step 1: An Anti-Inflammatory Diet

diet & exercise mat fruit

One of the best, natural ways to get your immune system under control is to start with an elimination diet based on an anti-inflammatory framework. They remove foods that frequently trigger an immune response in the gut and further contribute to inflammation (and skin disorders).

Weight loss, malnutrition, and vitamin deficiencies are common in IBD, so it’s important you are eating nutrient-dense foods. We like to start patients on a whole-foods Paleo diet, which removes common, potential food triggers, including gluten, dairy, sugar, alcohol, trans fats, and processed foods.

Unsurprisingly, many of these are on the list of foods that IBD patients claim to worsen their symptoms [17, 18, 19].

Do your best to stick with it for 2-3 weeks. If you see improvement, you can slowly reintroduce foods back into your diet one at a time. If any symptoms pop back up after introducing a food, it’s probably best to leave it out of your diet a while longer while you continue to work on healing your gut.

A Low FODMAP Diet

If you don’t see any improvement in your symptoms after a month, it’s probably time to move on to another diet. You can try the low FODMAP diet next, which removes specific sugars, starches, and fiber that can feed an overgrowth of bacteria in the gut.

A 2016 systematic review of 12 clinical trials found that elimination-based diets (like the Paleo diet) and a low FODMAP diet were both effective at treating the symptoms of IBD [20]. Not only is the low FODMAP diet beneficial for reducing abdominal pain, diarrhea, and bloating in those with IBD [21], but it also restores the gut bacteria that help regulate the immune response in the GI tract [22].

Again, try this for 2-3 weeks to see if it works for you. If you have your diet dialed in and you are still experiencing symptoms, it’s time to move on to step two: introduce more healthy bacteria. 

Step 2: Probiotics

White medicine capsules probiotic powder inside

Probiotics are excellent at calming the immune response in the gut and reducing inflammation levels [23, 24, 25]. These benefits make them highly suitable for treating IBD symptoms, including skin rashes. Two separate studies show that probiotics are equally effective as the drug mesalamine in treating IBD, though combining the two therapies appears to deliver the best results [26, 27].

Probiotics can also restore the balance of your gut microbiome, and research shows that they may increase the number of beneficial bacteria in those with IBD [23, 28]. As a 2019 meta-analysis found that those with IBD have higher rates of dysbiosis and bacterial overgrowth [29], probiotics are likely a great tool in the treatment of Crohn’s symptoms.

Taking multi-strain probiotics seems to be even more effective at putting active IBD into remission, which is helpful for reducing overall symptoms [28, 30]. We recommend using triple probiotic therapy, which involves taking probiotics from three different categories to offer you the most benefit. 

For more help on where to start when using probiotic supplements, check out our probiotics starter guide. 

Step 3: Stress Management

Woman meditating at home

Our third pillar of treating inflammatory bowel disease focuses on lifestyle. Stress is a well-known trigger of IBD flare-ups, so it’s essential to find ways to mitigate it. Regular exercise, getting enough sleep, and finding ways to destress during the day are essential for those with chronic inflammation. 

Meditation can improve a Crohn’s disease rash in 3 important ways:

  1. It reduces stress and anxiety, which often affect the digestive system
  2. It invokes a relaxation response that can positively alter the genes involved in IBD
  3. It lowers inflammation that contributes to IBD disease activity

Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MSBR) is a practice that allows you to focus on your bodily symptoms, and your emotional responses to them, without judgment. MSBR can reduce anxiety related to digestive symptoms, depression, and stress in those with IBD [31, 32, 33].

Lowering your stress levels has an overall anti-inflammatory effect that helps create a healthier environment both in your gut and on your skin. 

Step 4: Tackle Gut Dysbiosis

A low FODMAP diet and probiotics are a great first step for fixing a gut bacteria imbalance, but they may not completely resolve IBD symptoms for everyone. If you still have persistent symptoms after following the above steps, it’s time to move on to the final phase — antimicrobials and/or an elemental diet for gut dysbiosis.

Natural antimicrobials are a great way to clear out any pathogenic bacteria or an overgrowth of “good” bacteria that may be underlying a Crohn’s disease rash. The incidence of SIBO is significantly higher in those with IBD [29], and this bacterial overgrowth has inflammation-promoting effects that may contribute to the development of IBD symptoms.

Several anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial herbs have been found to be helpful in treating IBD, including [34, 35, 36]:

  • Curcumin
  • Boswellia serrata (frankincense)
  • Plantago ovata (psyllium) 

If you prefer to address dysbiosis through diet, an elemental diet typically comes as a meal replacement shake and has anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial benefits. An elemental diet contains all the essential nutrients that your body needs and they come pre-broken down, making them easier to digest.

One study found that laboratory markers of SIBO normalized in 80% of participants after completing a 2-week elemental diet [37]. Furthermore, there is ample research on the effectiveness of elemental dieting in improving IBD symptoms, and it even may be just as effective as prednisone for putting IBD into remission [38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47].

For a great-tasting formula, head on over to our online store where we have a variety of elemental diet options. 

The Conventional Approach

woman doctor patient consult consultation visit

If you have Crohn’s disease and are experiencing any type of skin lesion you should always check in with your healthcare provider, especially if you are in pain. More severe skin manifestations of Crohn’s disease may require extra support.

Conventional treatment of a Crohn’s disease rash involves prescription pharmaceuticals that primarily fall into the categories of anti-inflammatories, antimicrobials, and/or immunosuppressants. These drugs are also used to treat Crohn’s disease without skin complications and include [48]:

  • Sulfasalazine
  • Azathioprine
  • Mesalamine
  • Biologics (infliximab, adalimumab)
  • Methotrexate
  • Medicated mouthwashes for oral lesions

Your doctor may prescribe creams, like topical corticosteroids, that are used for inflammatory skin disorders and don’t come with the same side effects as oral steroids. Your gastroenterologist may make other recommendations to help get your IBD under control, such as avoiding smoking, NSAIDs, and alcohol (and we completely agree). 

If your skin rash is unrelated to Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, or if your doctor isn’t sure which type you have, they will likely refer you to dermatology, where a biopsy can be performed.

Stop Your Crohn’s Disease Rash In Its Tracks

There are numerous types of skin disorders that can accompany IBD, but treating your Crohn’s disease rash almost always starts with healing the gut. Starting an anti-inflammatory diet, introducing more healthy bacteria into the digestive tract, and fixing a bacterial imbalance are great ways to reduce inflammation and heal your skin. 

While the above therapies are a great, natural way to fix your gut, more severe IBD flares or skin conditions may also require the use of prescription medications.  

Feel free to reach out to our functional medicine clinic, or check out my book, Healthy Gut, Healthy You, for more help with your symptoms.

The Ruscio Institute has developed a range of high-quality formulations to help our patients and audience. If you’re interested in learning more about these products, please click here. Note that there are many other options available, and we encourage you to research which products may be right for you.

Dr. Michael Ruscio is a DC, natural health provider, researcher, and clinician. He serves as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Bridgeport and has published numerous papers in scientific journals as well as the book Healthy Gut, Healthy You. He also founded the Ruscio Institute of Functional Health, where he helps patients with a wide range of GI conditions and serves as the Head of Research.

➕ References

  1. Bernett CN, Krishnamurthy K. Cutaneous Crohn Disease. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022. PMID: 29262135.
  2. O’Neill CA, Monteleone G, McLaughlin JT, Paus R. The gut-skin axis in health and disease: A paradigm with therapeutic implications. Bioessays. 2016 Nov;38(11):1167–76. DOI: 10.1002/bies.201600008. PMID: 27554239.
  3. Levkovich T, Poutahidis T, Smillie C, Varian BJ, Ibrahim YM, Lakritz JR, et al. Probiotic bacteria induce a “glow of health”. PLoS ONE. 2013 Jan 16;8(1):e53867. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0053867. PMID: 23342023. PMCID: PMC3547054.
  4. Polkowska-Pruszyńska B, Gerkowicz A, Krasowska D. The gut microbiome alterations in allergic and inflammatory skin diseases – an update. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2020 Mar;34(3):455–64. DOI: 10.1111/jdv.15951. PMID: 31520544.
  5. Lee YB, Byun EJ, Kim HS. Potential role of the microbiome in acne: A comprehensive review. J Clin Med. 2019 Jul 7;8(7). DOI: 10.3390/jcm8070987. PMID: 31284694. PMCID: PMC6678709.
  6. Lee SY, Lee E, Park YM, Hong SJ. Microbiome in the Gut-Skin Axis in Atopic Dermatitis. Allergy Asthma Immunol Res. 2018 Jul;10(4):354–62. DOI: 10.4168/aair.2018.10.4.354. PMID: 29949831. PMCID: PMC6021588.
  7. Varjonen E, Vainio E, Kalimo K. Antigliadin IgE–indicator of wheat allergy in atopic dermatitis. Allergy. 2000 Apr;55(4):386–91. DOI: 10.1034/j.1398-9995.2000.00451.x. PMID: 10782525.
  8. Nosrati A, Afifi L, Danesh MJ, Lee K, Yan D, Beroukhim K, et al. Dietary modifications in atopic dermatitis: patient-reported outcomes. J Dermatolog Treat. 2017 Sep;28(6):523–38. DOI: 10.1080/09546634.2016.1278071. PMID: 28043181. PMCID: PMC5736303.
  9. Bhatia BK, Millsop JW, Debbaneh M, Koo J, Linos E, Liao W. Diet and psoriasis, part II: celiac disease and role of a gluten-free diet. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2014 Aug;71(2):350–8. DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2014.03.017. PMID: 24780176. PMCID: PMC4104239.
  10. Fu Y, Lee C-H, Chi C-C. Association of Psoriasis With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Dermatol. 2018 Dec 1;154(12):1417–23. DOI: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2018.3631. PMID: 30422277. PMCID: PMC6583370.
  11. Parodi A, Paolino S, Greco A, Drago F, Mansi C, Rebora A, et al. Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth in rosacea: clinical effectiveness of its eradication. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2008 Jul;6(7):759–64. DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2008.02.054. PMID: 18456568.
  12. Catinean A, Neag MA, Mitre AO, Bocsan CI, Buzoianu AD. Microbiota and Immune-Mediated Skin Diseases-An Overview. Microorganisms. 2019 Aug 21;7(9). DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms7090279. PMID: 31438634. PMCID: PMC6781142.
  13. Fahlén A, Engstrand L, Baker BS, Powles A, Fry L. Comparison of bacterial microbiota in skin biopsies from normal and psoriatic skin. Arch Dermatol Res. 2012 Jan;304(1):15–22. DOI: 10.1007/s00403-011-1189-x. PMID: 22065152.
  14. Eppinga H, Sperna Weiland CJ, Thio HB, van der Woude CJ, Nijsten TEC, Peppelenbosch MP, et al. Similar Depletion of Protective Faecalibacterium prausnitzii in Psoriasis and Inflammatory Bowel Disease, but not in Hidradenitis Suppurativa. J Crohns Colitis. 2016 Sep;10(9):1067–75. DOI: 10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjw070. PMID: 26971052.
  15. Dei-Cas I, Giliberto F, Luce L, Dopazo H, Penas-Steinhardt A. Metagenomic analysis of gut microbiota in non-treated plaque psoriasis patients stratified by disease severity: development of a new Psoriasis-Microbiome Index. Sci Rep. 2020 Jul 29;10(1):12754. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-69537-3. PMID: 32728075. PMCID: PMC7391695.
  16. Dermatologic and ocular manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease – UpToDate [Internet]. Available from: https://www.uptodate.com/contents/dermatologic-and-ocular-manifestations-of-inflammatory-bowel-disease
  17. Cohen AB, Lee D, Long MD, Kappelman MD, Martin CF, Sandler RS, et al. Dietary patterns and self-reported associations of diet with symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease. Dig Dis Sci. 2013 May;58(5):1322–8. DOI: 10.1007/s10620-012-2373-3. PMID: 22923336. PMCID: PMC3552110.
  18. de Castro MM, Corona LP, Pascoal LB, Miyamoto JÉ, Ignacio-Souza LM, de Lourdes Setsuko Ayrizono M, et al. Dietary patterns associated to clinical aspects in crohn’s disease patients. Sci Rep. 2020 Apr 27;10(1):7033. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-64024-1. PMID: 32341416. PMCID: PMC7184619.
  19. Morton H, Pedley KC, Stewart RJC, Coad J. Inflammatory bowel disease: are symptoms and diet linked? Nutrients. 2020 Sep 29;12(10). DOI: 10.3390/nu12102975. PMID: 33003341. PMCID: PMC7650696.
  20. Charlebois A, Rosenfeld G, Bressler B. The impact of dietary interventions on the symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease: A systematic review. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2016 Jun 10;56(8):1370–8. DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2012.760515. PMID: 25569442.
  21. Zhan Y, Zhan Y-A, Dai S-X. Is a low FODMAP diet beneficial for patients with inflammatory bowel disease? A meta-analysis and systematic review. Clin Nutr. 2018 Feb;37(1):123–9. DOI: 10.1016/j.clnu.2017.05.019. PMID: 28587774.
  22. Cox SR, Lindsay JO, Fromentin S, Stagg AJ, McCarthy NE, Galleron N, et al. Effects of low FODMAP diet on symptoms, fecal microbiome, and markers of inflammation in patients with quiescent inflammatory bowel disease in a randomized trial. Gastroenterology. 2020 Jan;158(1):176-188.e7. DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2019.09.024. PMID: 31586453.
  23. Leblhuber F, Steiner K, Schuetz B, Fuchs D, Gostner JM. Probiotic Supplementation in Patients with Alzheimer’s Dementia – An Explorative Intervention Study. Curr Alzheimer Res. 2018;15(12):1106–13. DOI: 10.2174/1389200219666180813144834. PMID: 30101706. PMCID: PMC6340155.
  24. Toribio-Mateas M. Harnessing the power of microbiome assessment tools as part of neuroprotective nutrition and lifestyle medicine interventions. Microorganisms. 2018 Apr 25;6(2). DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms6020035. PMID: 29693607. PMCID: PMC6027349.
  25. Stenman LK, Lehtinen MJ, Meland N, Christensen JE, Yeung N, Saarinen MT, et al. Probiotic With or Without Fiber Controls Body Fat Mass, Associated With Serum Zonulin, in Overweight and Obese Adults-Randomized Controlled Trial. EBioMedicine. 2016 Nov;13:190–200. DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2016.10.036. PMID: 27810310. PMCID: PMC5264483.
  26. Hedin C, Whelan K, Lindsay JO. Evidence for the use of probiotics and prebiotics in inflammatory bowel disease: a review of clinical trials. Proc Nutr Soc. 2007 Aug;66(3):307–15. DOI: 10.1017/S0029665107005563. PMID: 17637082.
  27. Kruis W, Fric P, Pokrotnieks J, Lukás M, Fixa B, Kascák M, et al. Maintaining remission of ulcerative colitis with the probiotic Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 is as effective as with standard mesalazine. Gut. 2004 Nov;53(11):1617–23. DOI: 10.1136/gut.2003.037747. PMID: 15479682. PMCID: PMC1774300.
  28. Zhang X-F, Guan X-X, Tang Y-J, Sun J-F, Wang X-K, Wang W-D, et al. Clinical effects and gut microbiota changes of using probiotics, prebiotics or synbiotics in inflammatory bowel disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Nutr. 2021 Aug;60(5):2855–75. DOI: 10.1007/s00394-021-02503-5. PMID: 33555375.
  29. Shah A, Morrison M, Burger D, Martin N, Rich J, Jones M, et al. Systematic review with meta-analysis: the prevalence of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth in inflammatory bowel disease. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2019 Mar;49(6):624–35. DOI: 10.1111/apt.15133. PMID: 30735254.
  30. Pabón-Carrasco M, Ramirez-Baena L, Vilar-Palomo S, Castro-Méndez A, Martos-García R, Rodríguez-Gallego I. Probiotics as a Coadjuvant Factor in Active or Quiescent Inflammatory Bowel Disease of Adults-A Meta-Analytical Study. Nutrients. 2020 Aug 28;12(9). DOI: 10.3390/nu12092628. PMID: 32872272. PMCID: PMC7551006.
  31. Naliboff BD, Smith SR, Serpa JG, Laird KT, Stains J, Connolly LS, et al. Mindfulness-based stress reduction improves irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms via specific aspects of mindfulness. Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2020 Sep;32(9):e13828. DOI: 10.1111/nmo.13828. PMID: 32266762.
  32. Windgassen S, Moss-Morris R, Chilcot J, Sibelli A, Goldsmith K, Chalder T. The journey between brain and gut: A systematic review of psychological mechanisms of treatment effect in irritable bowel syndrome. Br J Health Psychol. 2017 Nov;22(4):701–36. DOI: 10.1111/bjhp.12250. PMID: 28573818.
  33. Ewais T, Begun J, Kenny M, Rickett K, Hay K, Ajilchi B, et al. A systematic review and meta-analysis of mindfulness based interventions and yoga in inflammatory bowel disease. J Psychosom Res. 2019 Jan;116:44–53. DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2018.11.010. PMID: 30654993.
  34. Rahimi R, Nikfar S, Abdollahi M. Induction of clinical response and remission of inflammatory bowel disease by use of herbal medicines: a meta-analysis. World J Gastroenterol. 2013 Sep 14;19(34):5738–49. DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i34.5738. PMID: 24039370. PMCID: PMC3769914.
  35. Ng SC, Lam YT, Tsoi KKF, Chan FKL, Sung JJY, Wu JCY. Systematic review: the efficacy of herbal therapy in inflammatory bowel disease. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2013 Oct;38(8):854–63. DOI: 10.1111/apt.12464. PMID: 23981095.
  36. Banerjee R, Pal P, Penmetsa A, Kathi P, Girish G, Goren I, et al. Novel Bioenhanced Curcumin With Mesalamine for Induction of Clinical and Endoscopic Remission in Mild-to-Moderate Ulcerative Colitis: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-controlled Pilot Study. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2021 Sep 1;55(8):702–8. DOI: 10.1097/MCG.0000000000001416. PMID: 32889959.
  37. Pimentel M, Constantino T, Kong Y, Bajwa M, Rezaei A, Park S. A 14-day elemental diet is highly effective in normalizing the lactulose breath test. Dig Dis Sci. 2004 Jan;49(1):73–7. DOI: 10.1023/b:ddas.0000011605.43979.e1. PMID: 14992438.
  38. Heuschkel RB, Menache CC, Megerian JT, Baird AE. Enteral nutrition and corticosteroids in the treatment of acute Crohn’s disease in children. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2000 Jul;31(1):8–15. DOI: 10.1097/00005176-200007000-00005. PMID: 10896064.
  39. Day AS, Whitten KE, Sidler M, Lemberg DA. Systematic review: nutritional therapy in paediatric Crohn’s disease. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2008 Feb 15;27(4):293–307. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2007.03578.x. PMID: 18045244.
  40. Borrelli O, Cordischi L, Cirulli M, Paganelli M, Labalestra V, Uccini S, et al. Polymeric diet alone versus corticosteroids in the treatment of active pediatric Crohn’s disease: a randomized controlled open-label trial. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2006 Jun;4(6):744–53. DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2006.03.010. PMID: 16682258.
  41. Verma S, Brown S, Kirkwood B, Giaffer MH. Polymeric versus elemental diet as primary treatment in active Crohn’s disease: a randomized, double-blind trial. Am J Gastroenterol. 2000 Mar;95(3):735–9. DOI: 10.1111/j.1572-0241.2000.01527.x. PMID: 10710067.
  42. Berni Canani R, Terrin G, Borrelli O, Romano MT, Manguso F, Coruzzo A, et al. Short- and long-term therapeutic efficacy of nutritional therapy and corticosteroids in paediatric Crohn’s disease. Dig Liver Dis. 2006 Jun;38(6):381–7. DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2005.10.005. PMID: 16301010.
  43. Knight C, El-Matary W, Spray C, Sandhu BK. Long-term outcome of nutritional therapy in paediatric Crohn’s disease. Clin Nutr. 2005 Oct;24(5):775–9. DOI: 10.1016/j.clnu.2005.03.005. PMID: 15904998.
  44. Heuschkel R. Enteral nutrition should be used to induce remission in childhood Crohn’s disease. Dig Dis. 2009 Sep 24;27(3):297–305. DOI: 10.1159/000228564. PMID: 19786755.
  45. Hiwatashi N. Enteral nutrition for Crohn’s disease in Japan. Dis Colon Rectum. 1997 Oct;40(10 Suppl):S48-53. DOI: 10.1007/BF02062020. PMID: 9378012.
  46. Rajendran N, Kumar D. Role of diet in the management of inflammatory bowel disease. World J Gastroenterol. 2010 Mar 28;16(12):1442–8. DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v16.i12.1442. PMID: 20333783. PMCID: PMC2846248.
  47. Nakahigashi M, Yamamoto T, Sacco R, Hanai H, Kobayashi F. Enteral nutrition for maintaining remission in patients with quiescent Crohn’s disease: current status and future perspectives. Int J Colorectal Dis. 2016 Jan;31(1):1–7. DOI: 10.1007/s00384-015-2348-x. PMID: 26272197.
  48. Ranasinghe IR, Hsu R. Crohn Disease. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021. PMID: 28613792.

➕ Links & Resources

Further Reading:

Discussion

I care about answering your questions and sharing my knowledge with you. Leave a comment or connect with me on social media asking any health question you may have and I just might incorporate it into our next listener questions podcast episode just for you!

Transform your health

Every product is science-based, validated by real-world use, and personally vetted by Dr. Ruscio, DC.

Shop Now
Description Description