First, people should understand what is IBD and its complications. IBD or Irritable Bowel Disease is the chronic inflammation of the digestive tract. It categorized into two: Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative colitis, both of which involve severe diarrhea, pain, fatigue, and weight loss. It can also be debilitating and can result in life-threatening complications such as intestinal obstructions, abscesses, and even colon cancer.

Iron deficiency in IBD:

Flare-ups of IBD may sometimes lead to dangerous bleeding. This, in turn, lowers the amount of blood in the body’s iron reserves that can lead to anemia. It is important that the doctor regularly monitors blood levels and treats any deficiencies as soon as possible before it turns into more serious complications.

The suggested diet for those with IBD:

 Have a high-protein diet

A high protein diet rich in heme iron (animal source) will give you the necessary dose you need. Examples of meat that are high in iron are beef chuck, chicken liver, clams, oysters, lamb, turkey, eggs, veal, and a lot more.

Vitamin C

Non-heme proteins (can be sourced more from plants) are okay as long as they are eaten alongside Vitamin C-rich food sources. Vitamin C helps in the effective absorption of iron. It acts by binding to non-heme iron and transforming it into ferric acid, which the small intestine can now absorb. So, it is highly recommended that people suffering from IBD should take their iron supplements and non-heme food with some orange juice or any drink that is rich in Vitamin C.

Avoid food triggers

People with IBD may have noticed that upon ingesting or drinking certain foods and drinks, they get a flare-up. It is best to recognize these foods and avoid them completely. Some of the most reported precursors of IBD are alcohol, butter, margarine, oil, carbonated beverages, coffee, tea, fatty foods, raw fruits and vegetables, fried foods, gas-producing foods, spicy foods, nuts, legumes, cabbage, broccoli onions and fiber-rich foods. Once you have taken note of the food that triggers IBD, it can be prepared differently that works best for the condition.

Iron supplements

As a person with IBD, a daily dose of iron supplements can help in increasing the supply of blood in the body. A 325 milligram of iron taken three times in a day can really help improve anemia. But, iron should also be taken with caution too much of it can also cause cramping and constipation. These side effects can be lessened or avoided if the iron supplements are taken together with food. And to maximize iron absorption in the body, it is best to, but the one that is already in ferrous form. The body will easily and swiftly absorb it.

No one could possibly imagine the pain and discomfort a patient with IBD goes through. Its debilitating effects can lead a person to lose its health, physical strength, and soundness of mind. Some are unable to do regular tasks because of the consistent pain. Dangerous complications can also occur to someone with IBD. Hopefully in the near future, there will be a more solid medical solution that will be made available for this crippling disease and make people with IBD live a more normal and comfortable life.