- Research indicates that intermittent fasting can alleviate symptoms and inflammation in individuals with Crohn’s disease.
- Experts believe fasting serves as an effective treatment for Crohn’s since it helps lower inflammation throughout the body.
- Intermittent fasting may also aid in fat loss for those dealing with overweight and obesity alongside Crohn’s.
- However, intermittent fasting may not be suitable for all individuals with Crohn’s, particularly those experiencing weight loss related to the disease.
Recent findings suggest that intermittent fasting could assist people with Crohn’s disease in managing their long-term condition.
“Time-restricted feeding is showing significant promise as a new method to help individuals with Crohn’s disease not just manage their symptoms, but also enhance their overall health,” noted Andres Hurtado-Lorenzo, PhD, the senior vice president of Translational Research & IBD Ventures at the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, which sponsored the research.
“This study indicates that altering our eating schedule — alongside our dietary choices — can boost metabolism, enhance immune function, and support sustained remission from Crohn’s disease,” Hurtado added in a statement.
Conducted by researchers at the University of Calgary, Canada, the study involved 35 adults grappling with Crohn’s disease and related weight management issues. The results were published on February 9 in Gastroenterology.
The study’s researchers assigned 20 participants to follow an intermittent fasting regimen.
This regimen involved consuming all meals within an 8-hour window each day and fasting for the remaining 16 hours. The other 15 participants maintained a regular eating schedule.
Both groups consumed comparable foods and calorie amounts throughout the study period, which lasted for 12 weeks. Researchers assessed disease activity, inflammation levels, and body composition at both the beginning and end of the study.
Results revealed that those following the time-restricted eating plan experienced a 40% reduction in Crohn’s disease activity and a 50% decrease in abdominal discomfort over the 12 weeks, in contrast to participants maintaining a standard eating schedule.
Additionally, the fasting group showed significant improvements in blood markers associated with inflammation and immune health. They also lost an average of over 5 pounds during the study, while participants on a standard diet gained more than 3 pounds.
Experts not affiliated with the study acknowledge that these findings strengthen the growing body of evidence supporting the benefits of fasting for individuals with Crohn’s disease.
“This meticulous and hopeful randomized study suggests that time-restricted eating may alleviate symptoms and enhance inflammatory markers in selected Crohn’s patients,” stated Sidhartha Sinha, MD, a gastroenterologist and professor of medicine at Stanford University.
“This research complements increasing evidence that both metabolic and dietary timing interventions can significantly affect disease biology,” added Sinha, who participated in a
Babak Firoozi, MD, a gastroenterologist at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA, remarked that this new research represents a promising advancement for the Crohn’s disease community.
“Any non-pharmacological approach that enhances both Crohn’s disease management and overall health is significant,” Firoozi told Healthline.
Rudolph Bedford, MD, a gastroenterologist at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, CA, emphasized that the success of intermittent fasting in managing Crohn’s disease is largely attributable to inflammation reduction.
“With intermittent fasting, you mitigate the feeding of the inflammatory process itself,” Bedford explained to Healthline.
This reduction in inflammation may also encourage individuals to adopt lifestyle changes, such as increased physical activity, which can further alleviate Crohn’s disease symptoms.
“Symptoms improve, leading to a better quality of life and higher energy levels,” Bedford stated.
Sinha concurred that tamping down inflammation is crucial, but he also believes intermittent fasting triggers other beneficial biological processes.
“Intermittent fasting likely operates through multiple converging mechanisms rather than a single pathway,” he explained.
“Shifts in meal timing can enhance metabolic signaling, decrease visceral adiposity, and alter immune mediators linked to inflammation,” Sinha continued. He also noted potential influences on circadian regulation and microbial activity, which can affect intestinal immune responses.
Firoozi pointed out that the study participants’ weight loss was a significant factor in these results.
“The notable outcome may stem from what was identified as substantial weight loss and a reduction in visceral fat,” he said. “Since visceral fat promotes inflammation, its reduction can theoretically improve Crohn’s disease due to decreased overall inflammation.”
Currently, it is estimated that
Researchers still do not fully understand the conditions that trigger the disease or how to cure it. The severity of Crohn’s disease can vary significantly, from mild to severely debilitating.
Factors that may increase the likelihood of developing Crohn’s disease include:
- genetic predisposition
- family history
- smoking habits
- living in urban settings
Common symptoms can consist of:
- diarrhea
- abdominal cramps
- bloody stools
- frequent urge to have bowel movements
- fever
Treatment options range from medication and surgery to dietary changes and probiotics. Approximately 80% of individuals with Crohn’s will require surgical intervention at some stage in their lives.
Experts urge those with Crohn’s disease to consult with their healthcare providers to ascertain whether intermittent fasting is a suitable option for them.
“It is crucial to ensure that all this is done under a physician’s guidance,” Bedford advised.
He highlighted that intermittent fasting may not be beneficial for every individual with Crohn’s disease.
“A large number of patients with Crohn’s struggle with weight loss, meaning a restrictive eating schedule might not be appropriate,” Bedford stated.
“Not all Crohn’s patients are overweight,” he added. “If you struggle to get enough calories and nutrients, you risk burning more energy than you consume.”
“Some patients may already be malnourished, so it’s essential they don’t lose even more calories,” he cautioned.
“Many individuals with Crohn’s face challenges related to weight loss, micronutrient deficiencies, or active disease, where fasting might be detrimental,” Bedford explained.
Bedford underscored the necessity for a diet adequate in protein for those with Crohn’s disease, suggesting a Mediterranean diet as likely the most beneficial.
Sinha emphasized the importance of personalized dietary strategies based on individual needs.
“Dietary strategies should be tailored according to nutritional status, symptoms, and disease characteristics,” he recommended. “The ultimate objective is to achieve precision nutrition that aligns with the biology of each patient, eschewing a one-size-fits-all approach.”
Bedford concluded that exercise plays a vital role in building muscle and reducing inflammation.
“The priority should be to maintain a healthy diet and stick to prescribed medications,” Firoozi added. “If the individual is overweight or has coexisting obesity-related conditions, they should actively address these issues. Intermittent fasting can be part of this discussion.”
