No specific dietary interventions are recommended for people with Crohn’s disease. The specific carbohydrate diet and Mediterranean diet were equally effective when comparing six-week remission rates, while the autoimmune protocol diet improved quality of life. However, these studies lacked control groups, and because Crohn’s disease can enter remission spontaneously, it’s unclear whether the diets caused remission.[1][2]
A low-FODMAP diet may reduce some GI symptoms, but doesn’t reduce disease activity.[3] Other exclusion diets — like those that remove carrageenan or animal products or require the use of organic foods — have little to no effect on IBD disease activity or remission rates.[4]
People with Crohn’s disease may have lower circulating levels of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K, and low vitamin A status was associated with higher levels of C-reactive protein in one meta-analysis.[5] Additionally, they might not be eating adequate calories, so supplementation may be recommended.[6]