Do milk and its products affect Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis patients?
Milk and its products are an important source of vitamin D, riboflavin, phosphates, and protein in the daily diet, and it's advisable to try not to avoid them as much as possible. Currently, there is no evidence that milk consumption exacerbates inflammation, and avoiding dairy products might actually worsen the condition. Dairy products provide about 75% of the daily calcium intake and support good absorption. Although calcium and vitamin D are important at every age, they are particularly crucial during childhood when bone development gradually leads to peak bone mass around the age of twenty. Beyond this age, bone density gradually decreases, and peak bone density determines bone health in old age. It's important to note that bone density is significantly affected in inflammatory bowel diseases, especially in Crohn's disease, and avoiding dairy products might exacerbate this phenomenon even more.
Lactose intolerance is a condition where the level of the enzyme that breaks down lactose in the body is low, leading to poor lactose absorption that reaches the large intestine. There, gut bacteria break it down into water and gas, which can cause abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhea. This phenomenon isn't an allergy or sensitivity; it's simply "lactose intolerance." There's a threshold of lactose tolerance below which dairy consumption is possible. In the case of Crohn's disease, the rate of lactose intolerance might be higher than in the general population, especially during flare-ups.
Therefore, during a flare-up of Crohn's disease affecting the small intestine, it's possible to reduce lactose intake (there's less lactose in yellow cheese and yogurts) and observe any reactions. Consuming dairy products as part of a meal can improve lactose intolerance by slowing down gut transit time and allowing more time for lactose digestion. There's no logical reason to limit lactose in cases of irritable bowel disease or ulcerative colitis. If there's a suspicion that dairy products lead to gastrointestinal complaints (abdominal pain, loose stool, gas, bloating) even during remission, it's advisable to check for lactose intolerance through a simple breath test.
In summary, milk and its products are important for overall health and particularly bone health, especially in individuals with inflammatory bowel diseases and in children. It's not recommended to completely eliminate dairy products, even in cases of inflammatory bowel diseases. In cases where lactose intolerance is suspected (especially in the case of Crohn's disease affecting the small intestine), it's recommended to consult a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis.