02/11/2026
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Good News: Researchers have developed a simple blood test that could spot Crohn's disease up to two and a half years before symptoms appear.
This exciting breakthrough comes from the GEM Project, which tracked over 5,000 healthy relatives of Crohn's patients. They discovered high levels of antibodies to flagellin, a protein from everyday gut bacteria, in over a third of those who later got diagnosed. It's like your immune system waving a red flag early when it overreacts to helpful microbes, sparking inflammation and gut issues.
Children getting Crohn's has doubled since 1995, so this test could be a game changer for prediction, prevention, and maybe even vaccines for at risk families. Imagine fewer surprises, earlier action, and better days ahead for our community.
