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Ethnicity-Related Food Sensitivities

Sun, March 10, 2013 7:03 PM

My current theory about my Crohn's is that it might be caused by eating ethnically-inappropriate foods. I am of northern European ancestry, so perhaps my digestive system has had difficulty processing foods that are not native to northern Europe -- like spices, citrus fruits, and pasta. Does anyone here have an opinion about my theory one way or the other?

We do know that some foods tend to cause abdominal disease in some ethnic groups more than others. For example, at least seventy-five percent of American Indians, Southeast Asians, Chinese, Asian Americans, and African Americans are lactose intolerant, whereas only five percent of northern Europeans are lactose intolerant.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lactase_persistence

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lactose_intolerance

My understanding is that spices have historically been used in hot climates to preserve foods. Conversely, cold climates might have difficulty growing them. The vast majority of spice production is in hot climates. Those facts might explain why some of us become sick from eating spicy foods.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spicy_food

This theory would explain why nobody has found a single diet that relieves IBD.

northstar
Joined May 3, 2009

Mon, March 11, 2013 10:05 PM

Reply posted for northstar.

Hello,
You have made a good observation. I'm an Asian American & I don't eat red meat. After moving to the states as a kid, I started eating red meat & I noticed that my digestion slowed down & became weak. A few years later, I was diagnosed with UC. I'm the only victim of any digestive disease in my whole family. I had surgery for UC but still remain on a very restricted diet which is very inconvenient since I cannot eat at most restaurants

dimplezz
Joined Jan 10, 2013

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