Addressing Ulcerative Colitis Naturally

by Tony Isaacs

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease that results in chronic inflammation in the digestive tract, usually in the large intestine (colon) and the rectum. Many consider ulcerative colitis to be an autoimmune disorder; however, others theorize that higher levels of hydrogen sulfide cause the inflammation and lesions typical in ulcerative colitis. Still others believe that the disease may be due to problems in the protective mucous layer (the mucosa) in the large intestine. Regardless of the causes, ulcerative colitis can often be addressed naturally without side-effect laden mainstream drugs.

Ulcerative colitis can happen at any age, but usually starts between the ages of 15 and 30. The most common symptoms are abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea. Other symptoms may include:

*Anemia
*Weight loss
*Loss of appetite
*Severe tiredness
*Feeling of urgency
*Inability to have a bowel movement

Symptoms may also occur outside the gut and include joint pain, eye inflammation, skin rashes and lesions, and mouth ulcers.

Mainstream medicine usually treats ulcerative colitis as an immune disorder, frequently prescribing the dangerous steroid Prednisone and other drugs. In extreme cases, surgery may be performed. Natural remedies often help effectively control symptoms and provide prolonged remission without drugs or surgery. Some of the best are:

1) Colloidal silver combined with probiotics can be very effective. Colloidal silver helps eliminate bad intestinal bacteria as well as any pathogens which have invaded the territory around sores, lesions and inflamed areas. Colloidal silver also aids healing. Since colloidal silver may also eliminate beneficial bacteria, it is essential to take probiotics separate from the colloidal silver.
Probiotics are themselves among the most popular inflammatory bowel disease remedies.

"Friendly" bacteria that reside in the gut help manage ulcerative colitis because they help control the number of potentially harmful bacteria, reduce inflammation, and improve the protective mucus lining of the gut.

A University of Alberta study found that probiotic supplementation of 3,600 billion bacteria a day for 6 weeks resulted in 53 percent of the patients having remission and another 24 percent having noticeable improvement.

2) Omega-3 fatty acids, such as those found in fish oil capsules, can reduce inflammation in people with ulcerative colitis. One study found marked improvement from fish oil supplementation and an elemental diet.

3) The herb boswellia has been found to block chemical reactions involved in inflammation. Unlike anti-inflammatory medication, boswellia doesn't appear to cause gut. Rare side effects of boswellia include diarrhea, nausea, and skin rash.

4) A basic diet which avoids items which have been associated with ulcerative colitis and which may result in higher toxins and may result in marked improvement. Such items to avoid include, sweets, bleached white flour, insoluble fiber, carbohydrates, processed meat and alcohol have all been associated with ulcerative colitis.

5) Natural immune modulators can help prevent immune dysfunction which may cause ulcerative colitis. Among the best are magnesium, curcumin, oleander extract and blackseed oil (Nigella sativa).

6) Bromelain, a digestive enzyme from pineapple stems, reduces inflammation and aids healing. A Duke University animal study found that daily oral bromelain decreased the incidence and severity of colitis.

7) Folic Acid. People with chronic ulcerative colitis are at greater risk of colon cancer. In a University of Toronto study found that dietary folate supplementation at four times the RDA amounts significantly suppressed ulcerative colitis-associated colon cancer.

8) Vitamin C helps protect and heal the mucosa.

Other natural remedies for ulcerative colitis include:

*Cleansing and fasting to eliminate toxins and restore natural balance
*Mind body therapies such as breathing exercises and meditation
*Oral aloe vera gel
*Exercise
*Calendula
*Flaxseed
*Marshmallow
*Slippery Elm
*Fenugreek
*Devil's Claw
*Ginkgo biloba

Sources included:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ulcerativecolitis.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulcerative_colitis
http://altmedicine.about.com/od/digestivedisorders/a/Colitis_Remedy_2.htm