Beat Crohn's! Getting to Remission with Enteral Nutrition [Perfect Paperback]

Margaret A. Oppenheimer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 15, 2009

Beat Crohn's! Getting to Remission with Enteral Nutrition describes a strikingly effective dietary treatment for Crohn's disease that has been nearly forgotten in the US. The treatment involves using special liquid formulas (referred to as "enteral nutrition") instead of, or in addition to, regular food and beverages in order to induce and maintain remission.

Enteral nutrition has been used by people with Crohn's since 1969 and has been tested in numerous clinical studies. Beat Crohn's describes who can benefit from enteral nutrition, why patients might want to use it, what symptoms respond best, and how it compares with medications. Readers will also find practical tips on using enteral nutrition and stories of kids and adults who have tried it.

Special features include a chapter on enteral nutrition in children, and another for people with ulcerative colitis, indeterminate colitis, and irritable bowel syndrome who have questions about enteral nutrition. In the last chapter, the author explores the latest research on supplements and special diets for people with Crohn's (fish oil, probiotics, and more!).

Editorial Reviews

Review

Crohn's disease can cause pain and major changes in lifestyle and sometimes leads to the surgical removal of large sections of bowel. Traditional therapies in the United States include drugs, nutritional supplements, and surgery, all of which can have major adverse effects. Medical writer Oppenheimer explains how enteral nutrition, a method of receiving one's daily nutritional requirements through a liquid diet, may be a safe alternative with outcomes that can be just as good as other therapies. She explains what enteral nutrition is, provides information on more traditional treatments for Crohn's, and uses research to show how enteral nutrition compares with those treatments. Types of formulas and methods of administration are discussed, along with benefits and drawbacks. Oppenheimer examines the special needs of children with Crohn's as well as other types of diets, such as low-carb, food-exclusion, and lactose-free approaches. The appendixes include a glossary, children's growth charts, and sources of enteral nutrition formulas, as well as an extensive bibliography. While providing no medical credentials, Oppenheimer offers a readable, well-documented book that will be of value in consumer-health collections. Janet M. Schneider, James A. Haley Veterans' Hosp., Tampa --Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information, Inc. --Library Journal

The book is easy to read and is detailed, accurate and well researched....It is a must read for all professionals involved in treating Crohn's disease. Hazel Duncan, Paediatric Dietitian, Royal Shrewsbury Hospital --Dietetics Today

Beat Crohn's! Getting to Remission with Enteral Nutrition is skillfully written by Margaret A. Oppenheimer, an expert in enteral nutrition. For anybody who may be considering this treatment option, it will be an invaluable guide to implementing the diet and comparing it to other treatment options. --Take Charge (Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America)

About the Author

Margaret A. Oppenheimer has over 10 years' experience as a medical writer. She has personal experience with enteral nutrition.

Product Details

• Perfect Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Solutions; 1st edition (June 15, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0982123442
• ISBN-13: 978-0982123447
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #384,438 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Much Needed Affirmation in Critical Treatment Choice!, May 8, 2010

By 

E. Smit - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Beat Crohn's! Getting to Remission with Enteral Nutrition (Perfect Paperback)

My 7 year old has primarily small bowel Crohn's Disease and we were trying to make the very painful choice of a biologic medication or enteral nutrition for his next treatment. He was steroid dependant and that kept him from growing. He was also taking an immunosuppressant that was not working to keep him in remission.

I had searched the internet for medical publications, and even met with a specialist who is considered one of the top rated in the US for pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease for a second opinion on treatment. The enteral nutrition was recommended but not exactly embraced.

When I quite literally stumbled upon this book, it was much needed affirmation and refreshing validation that we were making the right choice for my son. It blessed the treatment by compiling years of published research and international data in an easy to read, layperson friendly format.

The question becomes, why would you choose a 'big-gun' treatment or surgery before trying a much safer method, that allows children to grow and mature normally?

My son began this treatment on April 8, 2010 and is now in remission from Crohn's Disease. I brought this book to the hospital with us to share with medical students and residents since no one had any experience with this treatment. Ben is now gaining weight and off all medications (after only 4 weeks). The treatment is easy and well tolerated by my son. Every parent with a child with Crohn's Disease should be given this book at the time of diagnosis. Some day, this treatment will be the first line choice for Pediatric Crohn's Disease in the US as it is in Europe, Japan and Canada.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Information that May Not Work for Everyone, July 21, 2009

By 

waitingtoderail "waitingtoderail" (Roslindale, MA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beat Crohn's! Getting to Remission with Enteral Nutrition (Perfect Paperback)

I've lived with Crohn's for 10 years and I am glad to have this information. I think that if someone is in a full blown flareup and isn't responding to medication, it might be worth it to try this. It would be extremely difficult, for sure. After I had surgery (I had one inch of intestine removed, not a lot compared to many of the people discussed in this book), I was put on complete paraenteral feeding (through an IV) for six days, and I wasn't hungry at all, but this isn't quite the same.

I honestly don't know if I could do it. Oppenheimer does discuss the pros and cons of enteral nutrition, and I think, at least in my case, it's not really a viable option. But I have responded to medication. If I hadn't, I can say for sure that two or three weeks of drinking your nutrients is a MUCH better option than surgery. Your body is not the same afterwards, trust someone who's been there.

In any event, it's good to educate yourself as much as possible, and Oppenhemier has done her research well. Check it out, it may not be the best option for you, but at least it's a viable one.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Every Patient with Colitis or Crohn's MUST READ THIS BOOK, November 4, 2009

By 

Galina Kotlyar "http://www.knowyourgut.com" - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Beat Crohn's! Getting to Remission with Enteral Nutrition (Perfect Paperback)

In my practice as a clinical nutritionist I use enteral nutrition(liquid supplementation or liquid diet) with great success for patients with Crohn's and ulcerative colitis.Unfortunately, very few patients know about the benefits of enteral nutrition and how to use this simple and very effective diet to promote colon healing.

The author, Margaret A. Oppenheimer explains beautifully why enteral nutrition is "a time-tested treatment" for children with Crohn's disease; how enteral nutrition can help kids to get off steroids and achieve complete gut healing without toxic drugs. Readers can even learn how to make their own enteral formula at home with liquid foods (other patients stories are used as an example).

Finally, I can recommend to my patients an easy to understand, well researched book on the benefits of enteral nutrition.

Galina Kotlyar, MS RD -Digestive Health Expert-