Episode 28: Whole Food Plant Based Diet for Crohn's and Colitis: Shamiz and Shukul Kachwalla

Against the Grain

There are many reasons why a whole food plant based diet may be helpful for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Data suggest limiting omega-6 PUFAs (ie oils), saturated fats, animal protein, and food additives may be associated with a reduced risk of developing IBD. A whole food plant based diet seems to check all of those boxes. However, this doesn’t change the fact that there are some out there who respond to the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (which is a monosaccharide diet) that does not restrict meat, cheese or cooking oils. Enthusiasm for a whole food plant based diet is gaining steam not just for IBD but also other health conditions like heart disease, obesity, diabetes and prevention of cancer. It’s important to remember that there still is a lot of controversy regarding what is the optimal diet for human health if such a thing exists. Today I interviewed Shamiz and Shukul Kachwalla who are brothers who run High Carb Health and promote a whole food plant based diet. Shamiz has ulcerative colitis and has been maintaining drug free remission with a whole food plant based diet for over seven years. As a disclaimer, this podcast should not be interpreted as medical advice and is not an official endorsement of this diet for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease especially without appropriate medical therapy.
Their website: https://www.highcarbhealth.com/
Crohn's Disease Remission with a Plant-Based Diet: A Case Report:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31226766/
Lifestyle-related disease in Crohn's disease: relapse prevention by a semi-vegetarian diet
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20503448/