Crohn's Disease Success

Saturday, March 17, 2018

Finding Diet Friendly GI Doctors

Greetings,

For anyone who is looking for a GI doctor who incorporates diet therapy into their treatment plan for IBD, you might want to check out this website www.nimbal.org

Search about halfway down the home page for " Locate a GI doctor near you that utilizes dietary therapy" and the link "Find a Doctor".

Dr. David Suskind is currently doing research about the Specific Carbohydrate diet. Although Dr. Poley’s diet is focused on restricting mainly sucrose and is much less restrictive than the SCD, it is refreshing to know that there are doctors out there who are becoming open minded about the effects of diet on IBD.

Sarah continues to enjoy life and good health. It's now been fourteen years that she has been free of Crohn's disease.

Blessings,

Martha

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

A Life Sweetened by Fruit

On Mother's Day several years ago, my daughter, Sarah, gave me a book that she had made. Its words were so endearing, and each page was decorated with water-color pictures she painted.

Throughout the story she revealed the sweet mother-daughter relationship, which had developed during the challenges that faced us when she was diagnosed with Crohn's disease in 2003.

I was deeply touched by Sarah's gift, and now, eight years later, we have collaborated on a children's book. This book, A Life Sweetened by Fruit, includes Sarah's story about the "Fruits of the Spirit" as a prelude to a story I have written. It shares the ways God has worked in our lives, drawing our family closer to Him.

It is our earnest hope and prayer that this book will bring encouragement to children and their parents who are dealing with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.

May God bless you with good health!

Martha Kalichman

Available at Amazon

Available at Barnes and Noble

Saturday, June 27, 2015

In Search of GI Doctors

Since Dr. Poley retired a few years, I am often asked if I know of other gastroenterologists who are supportive of diet. If anyone knows of gastroenterologists (adult or pediatric) anywhere in this country or elsewhere who are willing to support patients following Dr. Poley's treatment plan, I would so greatly appreciate knowing.
Thank you so very much in advance for any information that I can share with others about this!!

Please comment here or send me an email at crohnsdiseasesuccess@verizon.net...Thanks so much!
Blessings,
Martha

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) versus Restricted Sucrose Diet

Recently, questions about the SCD have come up with several people, so I decided to revisit that topic.

I am grateful that Elaine Gottschall wrote her book, since that is where I learned of Dr. Poley's research. (She cited his research numerous times). However, Dr. Poley thinks that she may have misinterpreted the results of his research.

From Dr. Poley's explanation: The starches are "broken down by pancreatic amylase in the very upper small intestine and are further worked on by glucose-amylase with the end product being glucose, which is then quickly absorbed." Since starches are so quickly absorbed, Dr. Poley doesn't think they are a problem.

Dr. Poley believes that sucrose is probably digested all along the small intestine. But at the terminal ileum, where the digesta moves slowly through the valve between the end of the small intestine and the beginning of the large intestine (ileocecal valve to the cecum), there is more bacterial activity. Crohn's disease is commonly found in this area. (see picture below of small intestine and beginning of colon)

I realize that there has been success for some who follow the SCD, but there may be an easier diet to follow that would also work, such as Dr. Poley's recommendations for restricting sucrose.

It is good to be aware though that some people with Crohn's disease may also have celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, so it would be necessary to eliminate gluten as well as restricting sucrose.

Whatever you choose to do, I hope you will be well.

Blessings,

Martha