Incidence of Crohn's Disease Higher in Jews
People of Ashkenazi Jewish Origin and Crohn's Disease
There is a well documented link between being of Ashkenazi (Eastern European) Jewish origin and having an increased risk of Crohn's disease - the incidence is thought to be 3 to 6 times higher in these populations.
In particular, there may be an increased incidence (three- to six-fold) among Ashkenazi Jews.
Ref: Health Technology Assessment 2003; Vol. 7: No. 3
Whilst I have no knowledge of anyone in my or my husband's family having Crohn's disease, it is true that Sam is of Ashkenazi Jewish origin (see footnote below).
Crohn's Disease and Keeping Kosher
As far as being Jewish goes, I am not very good at
it, and my marrying of a none Jew has failed to provide Sam with hybrid vigour.
Nevertheless, it is interesting to note that there are Kosher laws regardiing
the consumption of milk by Jews.
The Jewish Kosher laws stem originally from hygiene and keeping healthy. After all, we all know how easy it is to get food poisoning from incorrectly stored shell fish. So perhaps the ancient Jews discovered something about milk that is only now being rediscovered. It makes you pause for thought, doesn't it?
Footnote
Whilst my husband has no Jewish in him at all, my father was a German Jew who left Germany before the start of World War II. On my mother's side, my grandfather was a Russian Jew and my great grand-parents were Polish Jews. I do not know much about the health history of my father's side of the family as my grand-parents were killed by Hitler. My auntie (my father's sister) went to live in the US before the war and did not maintain contact with my father so I have no contact with her either. I do not know if she is still alive, but presumably her offspring are. Her name is Hilda Napthaniel, née Abraham, if anyone has any information for me...