The term Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a broad
term referring to any disease characterized by inflammation
in the gastrointestinal tract. The two most common types
of these diseases are Crohn's and ulcerative colitis. Both of
these conditions can make your life miserable with symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal cramps, rectal bleeding,
fever, joint pain, loss of appetite and fatigue, not to mention fistulas and complications that can require surgery to
remove part or all of the colon. The Centers for Disease
Control (CDC) estimates that about 1.4 million Americans
suffer from IBD, and 10% of those are children.
The main difference between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis is the location and nature of the inflammation.
Crohn's can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract, from
mouth to anus, although most cases start in the ileum. Ulcerative colitis is restricted to the colon and the rectum. Microscopically, ulcerative colitis is restricted to the epithelial
lining of the gut, while Crohn's disease affects the entire wall
of the bowel.
People Who live in Western countries have a higher risk
for developing IBD than people in other countries. However, as countries industrialize and adopt Western diets and
lifestyles, IBD increases. So, there is definitely a lifestyle cause.
Smokers are at higher risk of developing Crohn's disease,
whereas they are at lower risk of developing ulcerative colitis. Research has linked long-term oral contraceptive use to
a higher risk of both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's. Other drugs, such as isotretinoin (Accutane), could also play a
role. Pain-relieving NSAIDs (like ibuprofen) can worsen
IBD symptoms but are not thought to increase the risk of
getting the disease initially.
Studies report a possible link to over consumption of
foods high in omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, which
suggests that a lack of omega-3 essential fatty acids may be involved.
A big factor may be the balance of bacteria in the gastro-intestinal tract. Healthy intestines contain trillions of good
bacteria or friendly flora. These organisms play a role in digesting certain foods (especially dairy), protecting the body from infection and regulating the immune responses.
Antibiotics and other drugs can disrupt the balance of these intestinal bacteria, as can infections with harmful bacteria such as salmonella and campylobacter. Both of these bacteria have been associated with IBD. They are ingested
in contaminated food and are responsible for thousands of
cases of food poisoning each year.
Since Stress can trigger these bowel disorders, it's possible
they may have emotional triggers, too. Adrenal fatigue results in lower levels of cortisol, which controls inflammation. Also, stress can be a factor in the regulation of the immune system, which may aggravate the autoimmune factor
in intestinal inflammation.
The following five measures have helped many people
bring Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis under control.
1. Adopt a Paleo Diet
Just a few thousand years ago, practically all human beings lived on what has been called the hunter-gatherer or
paleo diet. These people simply collected the foods nature provided, which means they ate wild game and fish, raw milk and wild plant foods. Grain was not a significant part of this diet, and what grains and seeds were consumed were typically soaked and/or fermented before consumption. In addition, foods were not sterilized, so people had a wider range of gut microflora (probiotics) than people do today.
As mankind learned to farm, diets changed. Today, we consume a large amount of grain and simple sugars. The
meat and dairy products we consume are also raised on grain instead of grass. Dairy products are no longer whole
and raw. Naturally fermented foods and other foods containing probiotics are not consumed. These changes in diet are probably the underlying cause of all of these diseases of the intestines.
The place to start is to avoid all gluten-bearing grains, induding wheat (bulgur, durum flour, farina, graham flour, semolina), barley (malt, malt flavoring and malt vinegar), rye, triticale, spelt and kamut. This is an absolute necessity when working with celiac disease, but is also important for any IBD. Usually rice, corn, amaranth, buckwheat, millet and quinoa will be okay because they don't contain gluten. However, some people have found that in the beginning stages of therapy, it can be helpful to avoid all grains to give the intestines a better chance to heal. Many people also find it a good idea to avoid all legumes (beans, soy products, lentils and peas) as well.
It may also be necessary to avoid all dairy products. Some people will do all right with cultured dairy like yoghurt and cheese, but many people have to eliminate all dairy foods. It is also important to avoid eating refined sugars of all kinds and may even be helpful to eliminate honey, maple
syrup and sugary fruits. In addition, people with IBD and IBS should avoid products sweetened with manitol, sorbitol and xylitol.
Ideally, the diet should include servings of meat from grass-fed animals, eggs from pasture-raised chickens, wild-caught fish and game, and lots of vegetables, particularly non-starchy ones like zucchini, greens (such as mustard greens, beet greens, Swiss chard and kale), broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage.
Good fats, like butter from grass-fed cows, coconut oil and avocados are also acceptable.
2. Use Natural Anti-inflammatories
Consuming soothing mucilaginous herbs has proven helpful in treating all types of inflammatory bowel disorders. A good remedy to consider is aloe vera juice. A double-blind, randomized trial examined the effectiveness and safety of aloe vera in the treatment of mild-to-moderate cases Of IBS.
Researchers gave 30 patients 100 milliliters of oral aloe vera and 14 patients milliliters of a placebo twice daily for 4 weeks.
Results with the aloe vera were: clinical remission in 9 patients, improvement in 11 patients and a positive response in 14 patients. The results for the placebo were just 1 clinical remission, 1 improvement and 2 positive responses.
Another good herbal remedy for soothing the intestinal tract is slippery elm. It is best used in bulk form and made into gruel. Combine one teaspoon of the powder with one teaspoon of honey and two cups of boiling water. Stir well. Flavor with cinnamon and drink one or two cups twice a day. Bulk slippery elm may also be blended with juice or nut milks if honey can't be tolerated.
It can also help to take a good Anti-lnflammatory Formula like IF Relief. One of the ingredients in this formula, boswellia, has been clinically proven to help IBS. A 1997 study of people with ulcerative colitis found that of those who took 350 milligrams pf boswellia extract three times daily experienced remission.
3. Manage Stress Stress often acts as a trigger for IBD, IBS and Celiac disease. This is why nervine herbs can also help to manage
them. Look for a good relaxing Nervine Formula where
chamomile is a key ingredient. Chamomile is helpful here
because it calms the nerves, regulates digestion and reduces
inflammation. Coffee, cola drinks, energy drinks, black tea and other
sources of caffeine should be avoided. Caffeine stresses the
adrenal glands and can increase feelings of anxiety, as well
as inflammation. Also avoid stimulant drugs and alcohol.
Learn the skills listed under the Stress Management therapy. Practice breathing exercises to relax. Massage, yoga,
regular exercise and meditation can also be helpful. Also
consider using biofeedback, hypnotherapy or guided imagery to use the mind/body connection to heal the gut. You
may even want to consider psychotherapy or cognitive behavioral therapy to work on emotional conflicts that can
exacerbate symptoms.
4. Use Probiotics
A healthy digestive system contains thousands of species of friendly bacteria and people who live closer to the
earth tend to have more species than people living in more
sterile environments. It is very likely that the disruption of
the friendly flora has a lot to do with the development of
Crohn's, Celiac, colitis and IBS.
Research shows that probiotic supplements can be helpful
with IBD. For example, a University of Alberta study examined 34 people with mild-to-moderate active ulcerative
colitis who were unresponsive to conventional treatment.
The researchers gave them a probiotic supplement providing a total of 3,600 billion bacteria a day for 6 weeks. At the
end of the study, 18 people (53%) demonstrated remission
and an additional 8 people (24%) had a favorable response.
In another study, researchers at the University of Dundee
analyzed bacteria from rectal biopsies of patients with active
ulcerative colitis and healthy control subjects. There were
significantly less bifidobacterium numbers in the Ulcerative
Colitis biopsies, suggesting that these probiotic bacteria
might play a protective role against the disease. In a further
study, 18 people with active Ulcerative Colitis were given a
bifidobacterium supplement or a placebo for one month.
Sigmoidoscopy, biopsy, and blood tests showed significant
improvement in the probiotic group compared with the
placebo group. While you can buy probiotic supplements,
increasing consumption of cultured foods, especially naturally fermented vegetables, is more beneficial.
Some studies have found that omega-3 fatty acids may reduce inflammation in people with ulcerative colitis. A critical analysis published in the American Journal of Clinical
Nutrition looked at controlled trials published from 1966
to 2003 concerning IBD and omega-3 fatty acids. Although
the researchers concluded that more research is needed,
three studies found that omega-3 fatty acids reduced the
need for corticosteroids.
In other research conducted at the Cleveland Clinic, an
oral supplement containing fish oil, soluble fiber, and antioxidants (vitamins C and E with selenium) was given to adults
with mild-to-moderate Ulcerative Colitis. In the study, 86
patients with Ulcerative Colitis consumed 18 ounces of the supplement or a placebo each day for 6 months. Patients
taking the oral supplement had a significantly lower rate
of need for prednisone over 6 months compared with the
placebo group. Both groups showed significant and similar
improvement in clinical and histological responses.
Additional Tips
A high fiber diet may also be beneficial for some, but during the active stages of the illness, raw fruits, vegetables,
seeds and nuts will irritate the digestive system. A Fiber
Supplement like Everybody's Fiber, which is based primarily on slippery elm and marshmallow, could be beneficial.
Intestinal Soothe and Build contains herbs that can help
damaged intestinal membranes to heal and is one of the best
formulas for these conditions. Enzyme supplements may be
helpful, too.
Below is a list of suggested products. Those in bold are key products for the health issue explained on this page.
For details and ordering simply copy a product's name in the search box above or click on the bold name.
Nutrients: Magnesium, MSM, Probiotics, Protease,
Sunshine Heroes Omega 3 With DHA and
Sunshine Heroes Probiotic Power
Nutritional Supplements: Nutri-Calm and
Vitamin B-Complex
Nutraceuticals: Bowel Detox, Everybody's Fiber,
Food Enzymes, Gentle Move, Proactazyme and
Small Intestine Detox,
Super Trio
1994 - 2023 Four Winds, Inc. USA Disclaimer: We do not directly dispense medical advice or prescribe the use of herbs or supplements as a form of treatment for illness. The information found on this Web Site is for educational purposes only and to empower people with knowledge to take care of their own health. We disclaim any liability if the reader uses or prescribes any remedies, natural or otherwise, for him/herself or another. Always consult a licensed health professional should a need be indicated.
1994 - 2023 Four Winds, Inc. USA