Wouldn't it be wonderful if around age 18 you could have a blood test that accurately predicted which chronic diseases you would get 10 to 60 years later? And what if doctors could then put in a fix that prevented you from developing those conditions?

That now may be possible for at least one disease.

Around 1 million Americans contend with Crohn's disease — an inflammatory autoimmune condition that can affect the digestive tract and cause malnutrition, mouth sores. and diarrhea. If untreated, it may lead to chronic fistulas and ulcers in the intestinal lining, as well as blockages.

Treatment has been focused on easing symptoms by reducing inflammation and calming your immune response using steroids, immune-modulating medications, and biologics.

But a breakthrough study published in the journal Gastroenterology has identified 29 proteins in the blood that appear years before a person has any symptoms of Crohn’s. And being able to spot them may allow a person to take steps to reverse his or her risk for a full-blown attack in the gut.

Those steps include avoiding overly processed, inflammatory foods in favor of high-fiber plants, lean proteins, and foods with omega-3 fatty acids (such as salmon and sea trout). It also may be smart to use immune-regulating medications.

Therapeutic plasma exchange (see the research from Dr. Mike at Lifespan Edge) may also prevent, and maybe even treat the disease in its early stages.