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Does fructose increase intestinal inflammation?

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 10/28/2016 8:40 PM (GMT 0)
I know that a lot of people with Crohn's diagnosis can eat foods with fructose, mainly fruits without any problems, but I can't eat them. It's been happening for years now, started after my Crohn's diagnosis and have worsened over time.

Whenever I try to eat a food with fructose, all my symptoms increase (among them, most notably the bleeding). I know it's not the fiber because I can't eat honey, things like maple syrup, jams, fruit juices...
The reaction I get from fructose is immediate and definite, so I always avoid anything with fructose.

I'm wondering if something like this happens to any of you too?
Thanks in advance.
Posted 10/28/2016 10:30 PM (GMT 0)
I typed out a reply to this, but I must not have submitted it correctly because it didn't show up.

So here it is again.

Fructose doesn't really cause inflammation in the sense of Crohn's disease, but there is a condition called "fructose malabsorption" that some people have. It can cause some symptoms similar to a Crohn's flare (indigestion, increased gas, bloating, and/or diarrhea, etc). So if you have Crohn's, and then you also have fructose malabsorption, it can appear as if fructose is worsening your Crohn's.

Google "fructose malabsorption" for more info.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fructose_malabsorption
Posted 10/29/2016 6:25 PM (GMT 0)
I know I cannot digest fructose either. Haven't gotten tested yet but I also suspected lactose intolerance and when I got it tested I was indeed intolerant.
Posted 11/9/2016 5:55 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you beave and Andrina.
Posted 5/18/2018 12:25 AM (GMT 0)
I am still struggling with this. Fruits, I mean any kind of fruit, cause abdominal pain and arthritis and increase my bleeding a bit. No bloating,no nausea or gas; but it directly causes inflammation. My diet is extremely limited and I could use some fruit every day to give me energy.

Can you guys eat fruits or fructose without an increase in inflammation?

By the way I get the same problems with fruit juice of any kind.
Posted 5/18/2018 12:57 AM (GMT 0)
Fruit juice is far worse than whole fruit; it has a sugar content equivalent to Coke, but with more vitamin C. With whole fruit, the fibre slows down the sugar absorption, plus it's far far harder to eat 5 whole oranges than it is to drink the juice of 5 oranges - either way you're not getting the same sugar 'hit'.

If you need more energy/calories, fruit isn't the best thing anyway - an apple only contains about 40 calories. What about sucrose? Can you tolerate that?
Posted 5/18/2018 1:26 AM (GMT 0)
Sucrose? Do you mean eating table sugar? I don’t know, never tried it for a long time but half of sucrose is fructose so I assume it will probably be problematic.

I also have problems sleeping at night. I always lean towards the night owl mode - staying awake at nights and sleeping during the day, which messes with my circadian rhythm. I think this is one of the reasons for my lack of energy. I guess you have the same problem?
Posted 5/18/2018 1:52 AM (GMT 0)
Yeah, I meant table sugar. Ah yeah, so it is - my biochemistry is obviously getting a bit rusty these days. I have seen pure glucose tablets on sale in pharmacies - they might be worth a go. Alternatively, all complex carbs break down into glucose, e.g. potatoes, pasta, bread, beans.

I've had problems sleeping at night for years. The internet used to keep me up until hours of the day and night, but that hasn't been a serious issue for a long time. I also f.lux on my laptop and another blue light-eliminating app on my phone; I highly recommend using f.lux or an equivalent on all your electronic screens at night, if you aren't already.

Anyway, I reckon it's Crohn's and mental health issues which mainly affect my sleep nowadays. Having a disturbed digestion leads to disturbed sleep, and there is nothing which can be done about it - short of not eating after midday, whereupon hunger would probably keep me awake. All very frustrating and doesn't exactly lead to optimal mental health either.
Posted 5/18/2018 3:32 AM (GMT 0)
I will look into glucose tablets, that’s interesting.

I watched a podcast about sleep some time ago, it is very informative:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pwaWilO_Pig

This one is about circadian rhythm:

https://www.selfhacked.com/blog/what-it-means-to-keep-to-a-circadian-rhythm/

Maybe these will help you in one way or another.

Edit: I think, for circadian rhythm, going to bed more or less at the same time every night is a very good start.

Magnesium supplements can also help with sleep. I have used different forms of magnesium for years, and found magnesium l-threonate to be superior. But any good quality magnesium supplement could help.

Post Edited (xy123) : 5/17/2018 9:42:01 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/18/2018 2:42 PM (GMT 0)
Neither fructose nor sucrose increases my intestinal inflammation.


But, any small amount of artificial sweeteners (such as Aspartame, Sucralose, Xylitol) would cause immediate discomfort to me.
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