In such cases, it would be reasonable to avoid these foods. Patients are encouraged to keep a diary of their food intake and symptom response, at least initially in their disease. Fish oil products as dietary supplements appear to have an antiinflammatory properties. Studies have shown a remarkable response in some patients with Crohn's disease. Unfortunately, such positive results have not been a consistent finding, and patient tolerance of the fish oil has been a concern.
Further studies are ongoing.
Elemental diets have been shown to be beneficial in some with Crohn's disease that is difficult to control. Because they are so well absorbed, the patient's nutritional status should improve, and the inflammation of the bowel wall should decrease. Thus, their use is limited to special circumstances. Its benefit as a preoperative measure to improve nutrition in someone who appears malnourished has yet to be proven. Patients with Crohn's disease may have a slightly decreased fertility.