Answer:
Thank you very much for this question. The intestinal bacteria can play an
important role in the development and progression of Crohn's disease.
The
intestinal microbial community performs a range of useful functions: helping to digest
food, educating the immune system, and repressing the growth of harmful microorganisms.
Diet, medications and smoking are among many factors which interfere with
intestinal bacteria. There are multiple studies trying to find out how those factors
change and affect intestinal bacteria, but no definite conclusion has been made.
The success of probiotics in the management of inflammatory bowel disease
has potential.
Probiotics are viable microorganisms with beneficial therapeutics
activities. Selected probiotic species, alone or in combination, can prevent recurrent
intestinal inflammation and help with healing. Probiotics are not replacing traditional
treatment for Crohn's disease, but can be used in combination with it.
Please
consider trying probiotics, such as VSL 3 or Align, and please contact the physician
taking care of your Crohn's disease when you decide to start probiotics.