Crohn's Disease and Colitis - Is a Raw Food Diet the Real Cure?

Crohn's disease (CD) is an inflammatory disease of the intestines but it may affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract. Ulcerative Colitis (UC) is an inflammation of the large intestine (the colon) although some people with UC may have inflammation in the last section of the small intestine. Most doctors use drugs and surgery to 'control the symptoms' of the disease - not to 'cure' the condition.

Although Crohn's disease and Colitis are not life-threatening diseases, they are life-altering conditions. Causing symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting, as well as complications outside the gastrointestinal tract, including skin rashes and tiredness, Crohn's disease and Colitis can have a huge, negative impact on one's life. Until scientific research discovers a cure, people with these conditions can expect to endure suffering from bouts and flare-ups -?unless they find a solution that works for them.

Some researchers are looking at the Western diet (with processed foods, fat, and sugar) as being a big contributor to the onset of Crohn's disease and Colitis. Some medical professionals recommend removing all meat, dairy, eggs, and other processed foods from your diet. Other researchers believe that the answer is to change totally to a raw food diet of raw fruits and vegetables with small portions of certain nuts, seeds, and some fatty fruits. Although most fruits contain less than one gram of fat per serving, some fruits have extra fat such as avocado with 31 grams of fat per fruit. Yet ripe avocado is one of the richest sources of easily digestible fats.

One school of thought says that those who suffer from? Crohn's disease and Colitis ?should eat only organic fruits and vegetables. If you suffer from either of these conditions, you want to know the score. Will a raw food diet wipe out the symptoms of these diseases? According to numerous testimonials, a raw food diet has stopped the symptoms -?completely - for many people afflicted with these diseases.

Nobody, however, should change to a raw food diet without consulting their doctor. Obviously, fruits and vegetables are healthy options. Yet everyone's metabolism differs and people may have other conditions for which a complete raw food diet may not be the best choice. Check with your doctor before making drastic changes to your diet.

Your doctor can explain how fruits and vegetables work within your body. If you are planning to begin a raw food diet, you have to understand that there will not be instant results. Indeed, vegetables can be hard to digest and may even bring about undesirable symptoms at the beginning.

Within one month, however, sufferers should begin to see and to feel changes in their system. It might take a year before a person is free of all symptoms.?Keep in mind that implementing an effective raw food diet will be a process for sufferers of Crohn's disease and Colitis. Yet common sense will tell you that (based on your doctor's approval) a diet of raw fruits and vegetables is always a better choice than a diet of fats, processed foods, and sugar.