Jump to content

Choose locationChoose Location
  • Sign in or Enroll
    • Open I want to choose my medical group or hospital
    • Clear my location
Change Location
Sutter Health
  • Video Visits
  • Find Doctors
  • Find Locations
  • Treatments & Services
  • Locations
  • Sign in or Enroll
    • Video Visits
    • Find Doctors
    • Find Locations
    • Treatments & Services
    • COVID-19 Resources
    • Pay a Bill
    • Symptom Checker
    • Get Care Today
    • Health & Wellness
    • Classes & Events
    • Research & Clinical Trials
    • For Patients
    • About Sutter Health
    • Giving
    • Volunteering
    • Careers
    • News
    • For Medical Professionals
    • Other Business Services
Close Search
  • Home
  • Ask an Expert
  • Crohn's Disease and Intestinal Bacteria
Content

Ask An Expert

Crohn's Disease and Intestinal Bacteria

Katerina P. Shetler

Katerina P. Shetler, M.D.

Palo Alto Medical Foundation

Question:

I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease two years ago. I recently heard that more harmful bacteria are found in a person with Crohn's than those without this disease. If this is true, is there anything I can do to change the bacteria in my system?

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.

Related Questions

Question
  • Lactose Intolerant Child?
    My child was diagnosed with lactose intolerance. Dairy makes her sick but she can eat lactose-free dairy products without issue. Is there something else that should be explored, or is my child a rare one year old with true lactose intolerance?
  • Endoscopic Ultrasound
    I have been diagnosed with a digestive disorder and I may be a candidate for an endoscopic ultrasound. What are the benefits of this procedure?
  • Lactose Intolerance and Goat Cheese
    Does goat cheese contain lactose? If I am lactose intolerant, is it safe to eat?
  • What is a Fatty Liver?
    I have been diagnosed with a fatty liver. What causes this and can this condition be reversed?
  • Lactose and Gluten Sensitivity?
    Is the presence of lactose intolerance and/or irritable bowel syndrome typically associated with someone who may also be sensitive to gluten?

Back to Digestive Health

The Sutter Health Network of Care
Expertise to fit your needs
Primary Care

Check-ups, screenings and sick visits for adults and children.

Specialty Care

Expertise and advanced technologies in all areas of medicine.

Emergency Care

For serious accidents, injuries and conditions that require immediate medical care.

Urgent Care

After-hours, weekend and holiday services.

Walk-In Care

Convenient walk-in care clinics for your non-urgent health needs.

About Sutter

  • About Our Network
  • Annual Report
  • Awards
  • Community Benefit
  • Contact Us
  • News
  • Giving
  • Find Care

  • Birth Centers
  • Care Centers
  • Emergency Rooms
  • Hospitals
  • Imaging
  • Labs
  • Surgery Centers
  • Urgent Care
  • Walk-In Care
  • View All >
  • Featured Services

  • Behavioral Health
  • Cancer Services
  • Family Medicine
  • Home Health and Hospice
  • Orthopedics
  • Pediatrics
  • Pregnancy
  • Primary Care
  • Women's Health
  • View All >
  • Patient Resources

  • Accepted Health Plans
  • Classes and Events
  • Estimate Costs
  • Health and Wellness
  • Medical Records
  • Medicare Advantage
  • My Health Online
  • Pay a Bill
  • Symptom Checker
  • Our Team

  • For Employees
  • Physician Careers
  • Recruiting Events
  • Residencies and Fellowships
  • Sutter Careers
  • Vendors
  • Volunteers
    • ADA Accessibility
    • Contact
    • Privacy
    • Do Not Sell My Personal Information

    • LinkedIn Opens new window
    • YouTube Opens new window
    • Facebook Opens new window
    • Twitter Opens new window
    • Glassdoor Opens new window
    • Instagram Opens new window

    Copyright © 2022 Sutter Health. All rights reserved. Sutter Health is a registered trademark of Sutter Health ®, Reg. U.S. Patent & Trademark office.

    Cookie Policy

    We use cookies to give you the best possible user experience. By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences

    Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences