Inflammatory Bowel Disease Expert Jennifer Rackley shares Inflammatory Bowel Disease management news and commentary at MyIBDCentral.com. The HealthCentral Network, Inc. (www.HealthCentral.com) is one of the top health destinations on the Web, with more than 35 condition-specific, wellness and general health Web properties. http://www.healthcentral.com/ibd/c/91113 http://www.healthcentral.com/ibd/c/91113/rss self application/xml en-us 15 120 19 http://www.healthcentral.com/images/hc_logo_sm.gif http://www.healthcentral.com/ibd/c/91113 http://www.healthcentral.com/ibd/c/91113/37374/school-ibd Mon, 25 Aug 2008 15:39:00 -0000 Jennifer Rackley Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New... http://www.healthcentral.com/ibd/c/91113/37374/school-ibd http://www.healthcentral.com/ibd/c/91113/35577/vitamin-calcium-bones Mon, 18 Aug 2008 05:27:00 -0000 Jennifer Rackley As we discussed in the article "IBD and Vitamin D" it is quite common to find patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) to be deficient in vitamin D.  The role this plays in the maintenance of bones is a very important discussion.   That having been said, it would be an incomplete story to fail to address the role that calcium plays as well.  While vitamin D helps to increase the absorption and mobilization of calcium in... http://www.healthcentral.com/ibd/c/91113/35577/vitamin-calcium-bones http://www.healthcentral.com/ibd/c/91113/35569/ibd-vitamin Mon, 04 Aug 2008 15:35:00 -0000 Jennifer Rackley In a recent study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology it was noted that many IBD patients had lowered levels of vitamin D (1).  In fact according to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America up to 68% of Crohn's patients have a vitamin D deficiency.   It is possible that there are several factors contributing to this problem.   One cause of vitamin D deficiency could be the lack of dietary sources due to... http://www.healthcentral.com/ibd/c/91113/35569/ibd-vitamin http://www.healthcentral.com/ibd/c/91113/32456/anemia-part-folic-acid Mon, 14 Jul 2008 18:21:00 -0000 Jennifer Rackley A lack of certain B vitamins can also cause anemia.  Two of the most common culprits are folic acid (b9) and vitamin b12.  In this type of anemia the number of red blood cells is diminished and the cells present become larger.  The lower numbers and change in red blood cells result in a decreased amount of oxygen to the body.  These deficiencies can be seen together or as separate issues.   Folic acid deficiency can... http://www.healthcentral.com/ibd/c/91113/32456/anemia-part-folic-acid http://www.healthcentral.com/ibd/c/91113/32440/anemia-part-deficiency Mon, 07 Jul 2008 14:03:00 -0000 Jennifer Rackley Iron deficiency anemia is one of the most common nutritional deficiencies.  It occurs when the body has too little iron to produce the hemoglobin needed to transport oxygen through the blood stream.  Some of the symptoms of anemia include: pale skin, dizziness, difficulty concentrating, leg cramps, trouble sleeping, weakness, irritability, pica and shortness of breathe or chest pain with exercise.   In IBD there are several... http://www.healthcentral.com/ibd/c/91113/32440/anemia-part-deficiency http://www.healthcentral.com/ibd/c/91113/29142/importance-protein-ibd Wed, 18 Jun 2008 18:10:00 -0000 Jennifer Rackley Protein Energy Malnutrition is common in patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.  This occurs when the person is not consuming enough protein or calories throughout the day.  There are various reasons for why this occurs including poor intake, absorption problems, digestion problems or an anatomical issue in the GI tract such as a shortened bowel. (http://www.cmaj.ca/cgi/content/full/166/7/913)   Protein is an important part... http://www.healthcentral.com/ibd/c/91113/29142/importance-protein-ibd http://www.healthcentral.com/ibd/c/91113/29094/low-low-residue-diets Wed, 04 Jun 2008 18:15:00 -0000 Jennifer Rackley Low residue diets are often prescribed in Inflammatory Bowel Disease to allow the intestines time to rest.  Decreasing foods that cause high amounts of residue in the intestines will decrease the stool volume and transit time.  Less stool and slower moving stool means less work for the inflamed GI tract.     For adults a low residue plan includes less than 10-15 grams of fiber.  For children low residue diets... http://www.healthcentral.com/ibd/c/91113/29094/low-low-residue-diets http://www.healthcentral.com/ibd/c/91113/28136/inflammatory-craze Mon, 19 May 2008 15:38:00 -0000 Jennifer Rackley The Anti-Inflammatory Diet has been popping up everywhere lately.  It is especially interesting in the realm of diseases like IBD.  The thought is that by eating foods that prevent inflammation in the body you can prevent flare ups of your IBD.   The main "rules" of the Anti-Inflammatory Diet are pretty simple.  People following this plan should avoid foods that have been shown to cause inflammation in the body.  Some... http://www.healthcentral.com/ibd/c/91113/28136/inflammatory-craze http://www.healthcentral.com/ibd/c/91113/27547/nutritionist-rackley Sun, 11 May 2008 19:25:00 -0000 Jennifer Rackley I am a nutritionist and have a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics from Harding University.  I also have some graduate work in Public Health Nutrition through Eastern Kentucky University.  Before starting my family I worked in the field of clinical nutrition.   My greatest role is the mother of my three girls.  Two of my daughters have dealt with acid reflux disease.  Their journey has educated me on... http://www.healthcentral.com/ibd/c/91113/27547/nutritionist-rackley