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Got Colitis? Skip Tequila, Go for the Worm: Scientists believe they have a cure for Crohn’s disease and celiac,and it involves using parasitic hookworms. Here are some other surprising natural options for managing autoimmune disease.
Are we killing ourselves with hygiene?
Clean bottled drinking water, sub-zero refrigeration, anti-bacterial gels, dirt-free playgrounds, and sanitized kitchen counters- what do all these things all have in common?
If you guessed that these things all help to prevent disease, then guess again.
According to scientists, our standards of cleanliness are backfiring, killing healthy microscopic parasites that our bodies need to thrive.
Unlike people living in impoverished countries, where bug-ridden sacks of grain are commonly dealt with, we, with our clean, white processed bags of flour are nevertheless exclusive in our propensity for developing autoimmune diseases such as Inflammatory Bowel Disorder (IBD),Multiple Sclerosis (MS), and asthma.
Dish out the dirt.
The hygiene hypothesis implies that modern-day medical technology and sanitary standards, such as vaccines, antibiotics, purified water, and refrigeration have caused autoimmune disease by disturbing the body’s natural balance of healthy parasitic worms.
Worm therapy was part of standard medicine in previous centuries. So it comes as no surprise to supporters of the hygiene hypothesis that autoimmune diseases were nonexistent in earlier times, arriving on the medical scene only in recent years.
According to Dr. Joel Weinstock, chief of gastroenterology and professor of immunology at Tufts University, instances of IBD went up from 1 out of 10,000 in the 50s, to 1 out of 250 in modern days.
Open up and say…well, you might want to close your eyes.
Beginning in October 2011, research participants will volunteer to swallow pig whipworm eggs, as part of a study focusing on treating autoimmune disease. By introducing worms into the digestive systems, scientists hope to find a cure for digestive disorders. By the end of the year, the whipworm larvae will have passed through the intestines, and scientists hope to find enough evidence to further the advancement of worm therapy for immunological diseases.
Deluded about the Digestive System? If you have Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), then you’ll hear many myths about Crohn’s, colitis, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS); here are 15 IBD facts.
“IBD is a mental disorder,” and other digestive system myths
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a debilitating, autoimmune disease that affects your digestive system.
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are both forms of IBD. People diagnosed with IBD often suffer in silence with symptoms like stomach bloating, cramps, chronic diarrhea, heartburn, and constipation.
That’s because people who have IBD are often ashamed to discuss it with friends and family. As a result, it is all too easy to fall victim to the many misconceptions, myths, and general confusion surrounding Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
Fortunately, the truth is out there; you just have to know where to find it. Listed below are some of the most common misconceptions you’re likely to hear about digestive diseases.
IBD fallacies we’re tired of hearing:
1) “Supplements are useless for treating Inflammatory Bowel Disorder.”
Many homeopathic medicines and other alternative treatments are helpful for relieving symptoms like occasional constipation, nausea, and stomach pains.
Moreover, vitamin supplements such as vitamin B12 are beneficial for anybody suffering from IBD. More often than not, vitamin B12 deficiency occurs with digestive disorders, for several reasons.
Sometimes, gastritis or other kinds of damage to the stomach inhibit your ability to digest vitamin B12, leading to severe depletion.
Other times, treatments for IBD, such as medications or surgeries (ileostomy) are the cause of vitamin B12 deficiency.
In such cases, regular supplementation of vitamin B12 is crucial to avoid debilitating symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency.
2) “Inflammatory Bowel Disease is the same thing as Irritable Bowel Syndrome.”
IBD and IBS are two separate conditions that affect the body differently, although the symptoms are alike.
IBD causes severe inflammation of the intestinal tracts; with ulcerative colitis IBD, the colon is also affected.
IBS, or “spastic colon,” causes no lasting damage to the intestinal lining.
3) “By following a healthy diet, I have completely cured myself of IBD.”
There is no known cure for Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.
Eating healthy foods, avoiding junk food, and identifying “trigger foods” is an excellent way to alleviate many of the symptoms of IBD and prevent flare-ups, but you should nevertheless continue to visit your doctor, and take your medications, unless otherwise prescribed.
4) “I’ve heard that IBD is caused by really bad stress. And depression.”
It’s unclear exactly what causes Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
Some scientists believe it may result from a virus.Still, we do know that certain factors may complicate IBD; prolonged stress, unhealthy diet, and smoking may exacerbate the symptoms of IBD, but they are not the underlying cause.
To minimize stomach ailments and stay in remission, you must continue to eat healthy, reduce stress, and avoid smoking.
5) You have Crohn’s disease? I’ve heard that IBD is just a fancy term for chronic diarrhea.”
Diarrhea is one of many symptoms related to Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
In some cases, Crohn’s disease patients don’t even suffer from diarrhea, making it even harder to get an IBD diagnosis. If you do suffer from chronic diarrhea, don’t ignore the symptoms; see a doctor immediately.
6) “If you don’t see any blood, then it’s just Irritable Bowel Syndrome.”
See a doctor if you have any digestive disease symptoms, even when blood is not present.
Just as the absence of diarrhea symptoms does not negate Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, neither does the absence of blood in your stool mean that you necessarily don’t have IBD.
7) “I’ve been having fewer bowel movements, so I must be in remission.”
Only your doctor can confirm if you are in remission.
Having fewer loose stools is only one of several indications. To find out for sure, visit your doctor for blood testing and a complete checkup.
8) “You have Crohn’s disease? That means you can’t have children.”
Most prescribed treatments for Crohn’s disease are safe to take during a pregnancy or while nursing a baby.
Unless you take antibiotics, thalidomide, or methotrexate, there is no reason why you may not plan to have a baby while continuing to take your Crohn’s disease medications.
Nevertheless, make sure that your OB/GYN knows about all medications you are taking, including IBD treatments and vitamin regimens.
9) “Once you’ve had ostomy surgery, you will never be able to conceive a child.”
There is no direct link between ostomy surgery and male or female infertility.
Ostomy surgery is a procedure in which a part of the intestines is removed, and the remaining piece is attached to a pouch that is connected to a tube protruding from a stomach opening. While there are some instances of erectile dysfunction following ostomy surgery, in most cases, that is not the norm.
Likewise, women who undergo ostomy surgery might have reduced sexual desires related to physical discomfort, poor body image, and the “newness” of the whole procedure, but her reproductive organs remain unaffected.
Avoid gastrointestinal surgery or harmful Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) drug treatments; Promote digestive system health in the midst of Crohn’s disease naturally, safely with home remedies.
What is Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)?
Inflammatory Bowel Disease is an autoimmune disease that causes severe damage to the digestive tract. Illnesses that fall under IBD include Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), however, is not a disease, but rather a condition also referred to as spastic colon. IBS does not cause any damage to the colon.
Natural remedies for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis:
1) Probiotics-Lactobacillus (L. acidophilus) is one of the most popular types of “friendly bacteria” used to promote digestive health for people with ulcerative colitis. Probiotics affect the amount of unhealthy bacteria in the gut, quell inflammation, and strengthen the stomach lining. Good sources of lactobacillus include yogurt, fermented soy products, and nutritional supplements.
2) Diet- The best way to avoid Crohn’s disease flare-ups is by following a restrictive diet. Some popular diets for IBD include the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) and the Low Residue Diet (LRD). Read more about treating Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis through diet: Ten Foods to avoid if you have Inflammatory Bowel Disorder.
3) Blond psyllium- Blond psyllium is an herb that is used as a gentle stool softener for patients who have undergone anal surgery, in addition to sufferers of hemorrhoids, IBS, and ulcerative colitis.
4) Indian frankincense- Frankincense, or olibanum, refers to the resin that seeps from the Boswellia serrata plant. Naturopathic medicine practitioners use frankincense to benefit arthritis patients, but it is also used for digestive health in the presence of ulcerative colitis, stomach cramps, and menstrual pain.
5) Glutamine- Glutamine is an amino acid that boosts the immune system and digestion. Glutamine imparts healthy reactions in individuals with Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and stomach ulcers, in addition to people undergoing radio-chemotherapy.
6) Wheatgrass- Wheatgrass contains many essential vitamins and nutrients, including vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, iron, calcium, and magnesium. Many wheatgrass juice enthusiasts claim that wheatgrass significantly impacts swelling associated with ulcerative colitis symptoms.
7) Acupuncture- In a controlled study, Crohn’s disease patients who received regular acupuncture treatments experienced significant results from the symptoms of IBD, in addition to an improved state of well-being.
Post-Op Risks Doctors Forget to Mention: Nearly 75% of all Crohn’s disease (IBD) patients undergo gastrointestinal surgery, but few receive warnings about post-surgery vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms.
Vitamin B12 Deficiency Stories, Post-Gastro Surgery
Crohn’s disease is an autoimmune disorder, a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes severe damage of the gastrointestinal tract.
In many cases, IBD patients decide to undergo gastrointestinal surgery to treat the many debilitating symptoms of Crohn’s disease.
However, in addition to relapses, which often occur within 10 years, many patients begin to suffer the effects of vitamin B12 deficiency.
Three Years Later, Things my Doctor Forgot to Mention
One patient suffers from Crohn’s disease. In her Crohn’s and Life happens blog, she relates a frustrating, unfortunate scenario that happens to the majority of Crohn’s disease patients who undergo gastrointestinal surgery- the discovery, several years post-op, that she suffers from severe vitamin B12 deficiency, and that not a single doctor had warned her about the risk factors.
Close Call with Vitamin B12 Deficiency
In his blog, My Crohn’s Disease, the author tells of suffering from vitamin B12 deficiency after having small-bowel resection surgery in order to treat fibro stenotic Crohn’s disease.
“Little did I know I was pretty close to death at this point, my body having been suffering a B-12 deficiency for many months, thanks to my not having realized I was supposed to be taking B-12following my surgery a year earlier.” (taken from blog)
B12 deficiency, left untreated, can result in severe neurological damage and cognitive problems.
Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency often include fatigue, depression, short-term memory loss, tingling in hands and feet, and reduced motor skills, to name just a few.
Vitamin B12 shots are painful, as they require insertion into the thickest, most muscular part of the thigh. Many IBD patients opt to administer the injection themselves on a weekly basis, resulting in a large bruise, as depicted in the Jenni’s Guts blog. Sometimes, bleeding occurs, as well.
…and Paying for it dearly
Unless you have very good health insurance coverage, vitamin B12 injections can be pricy. This excerpt is taken from Gutsy Girl:
“ …like many of my surgical Crohn’s brethren, I have to bear a monthly B12 shot for the rest of my life. The negotiated rate with my insurance carrier… is $156. One hundred and fifty-six dollars for a shot of …a vitamin. Per month.”
Self-Discovery of B12 Deficiency
Two years after having his terminal ilium and colon removed, BW continues to suffer from debilitating Crohn’s disease symptoms. Upon conducting his own research online, he learns about the high correlation between vitamin B12 deficiency and gastrointestinal surgery. As to why his surgeon and other doctors failed to warn him about the risks involved, he can only speculate.
“In retrospect, I should have started B12 injections two years ago, right after the removal of my colon and terminal ileum. But my family doctor never mentioned it to me. nor did my GI, or my surgeon. It was only because of my own research that I began to question my B12 levels.” –taken from the Colitis blog.
Treat IBD naturally and deliciously by including these anti-inflammatory fermented foods in your diet.
There’s a war brewing in your tummy!
Whether you suffer from IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) or IBD (inflammatory bowel disease), such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, you know that the best way to treat your tummy right is by following a diet rich in probiotic foods.
Probiotics are live microorganisms that occur naturally in aged foods, such as pickles and yogurt. Consider them your allies in fighting your body’s war between good and evil! (bacteria-wise, that is.)
When it comes to promoting gastrointestinal integrity, the health benefits of probiotics are unrivaled.
Yogurt is an old standby for people who understand the health benefits of probiotic foods, and for good reason.
Many brands of yogurt contain live cultures that keep your tummy calm and balanced, even after taking antibiotics.
Keep in mind that not all yogurts are alike- only the ones that are marked “active cultures” or “live cultures” on the label have potent probiotics.
2- Kefir
Kefir is a popular European drink that contains a mixture of goat milk and fermented kefir grains. In addition to antioxidants, kefir is also rich in lactobacilli and bifidus bacteria.
3- Buttermilk
Buttermilk is a nourishing drink that adds creaminess and rich flavor to Ranch salad dressings, pancakes, and cornbread. It is also an excellent source of probiotic cultures.
Sour cream is a fermented condiment that contains healthy bacteria. Use it sparingly, as it is high in fat.
5- Miso
Miso is a traditional Japanese condiment that consists of a fermented paste produced by soybeans, barley, or rice. It adds a salty, smoky flavor to soups and sauces.
6- Tempeh
Tempeh is an excellent vegetarian source of vitamin B12. Produced from fermented soybeans, tempeh is a meatier alternative to tofu and makes a satisfying centerpiece in vegan main meals.
7- Natto
Natto is another soy product featured in Japanese cuisine, containing bacillus subtilis. It has a pungent quality that true lovers of vegetarian cookery enjoy.
8- Sauerkraut
This fermented cabbage began its gastronomical career as a popular German condiment; today, hot dog enthusiasts all over the USA delight in topping their frankfurters with tangy sauerkraut.
Kimchi is a traditional Korean condiment made of assorted pickled vegetables. Like sauerkraut, kimchi contains fermented cabbage, in addition to onions, carrots, and garlic.
Unlike sauerkraut, kimchi has a hot ‘n spicy kick to it.
10- Kombucha tea
Kombucha tea, a health food staple that contains live cultures, is an ancient tonic that promotes healthy gut bacteria.
11- Pickles
Dill pickles, bread and butter pickles, or half-sours: any way you slice them, pickled cucumbers are a tasty, crunchy source of gut-friendly probiotics.
12- Unpasteurized olives
Naturally fermented, unpasteurized olives have a unique, full-bodied flavor that is lacking in traditionally bottled pasteurized olives. Like all olives, they are equally beneficial for heart health.
