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Concerns Articles |
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COLITIS & INTESTINAL
HEALTH
Articles by a Naturopathic
Doctor ( N.D.) |
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SALAD &
VEGETABLES: FOOD FOR
COLITIS |
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People with colitis
have trouble
digesting many
different foods, but
vegetables generally
won't cause trouble. |
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THIS
INFLAMMATORY CONDITION CAN
CAUSE EXTREME PAIN, WEIGHT
LOSS AND NUTRIENT
DEFICIENCIES. OFTEN
DIFFICULT TO DIAGNOSE,
NUTRI-TIONAL SUPPLEMENTS &
HERBS CAN OFFER SIGNIFICANT
SUPPORT... |
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Colitis is an inflammation
of the colon. The most
common form is ulcerative
colitis, when small ulcers
develop on the mucous lining
of the intestine. The
colon becomes unable to
absorb nutrients and water.
Part of the underlying cause
of colitis may be an
autoimmune reaction. |
This is when the body
attacks its own cells.
Other causes include low
dietary fibre, high dietary
sugar, high refined
carbohydrate intake, food
allergies, stress,
unresolved emotional
conflicts and antibiotic
use.
The most common colitis
symptoms are cramping
abdominal pain, diarrhea,
and stool with blood and
mucus. Sometimes
alternating constipation and
diarrhea, fever and fatigue
also occur. As the body
becomes malnourished,
nausea, low appetite, anemia
and depression can occur.
Chronic colitis increases
the risk of developing colon
cancer because the area is
inflamed and cellular
turnover is increased.
Diagnosis of colitis must
rule out other causes of
cramping and diarrhea
including acute infections,
Crohn's disease and
irritable bowel syndrome.
Conventional treatment of
colitis involves the use of
anti-inflammatory
medications. Although
these medications decrease
the symptoms they do not
address the root cause of
the problem. They may
also contribute to nutrient
deficiencies. |
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What you can do to
help |
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EAT
PRIMARILY
VEGETABLES |
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TAKE
SUPPLEMENTS
TO SUPPORT
THE HEALTH
OF THE
INTESTINAL
LINING:
GLUTAMINE,
COLOSTRUM,
DGL,
ACIDOPHILUS
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ELIMINATE
ALLERGENIC
FOODS |
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AVOID
REFINED
SUGAR |
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DON'T DRINK
COFFEE |
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DON'T EAT
SEEDS;
THEY CAN GET
STUCK IN THE
COLON |
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DRINK
NON-DAIRY
MILK AND EAT
MILK
ALTERNATIVES. |
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DID YOU KNOW?
(COLITIS FACTS) |
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COLITIS
AFFECTS MORE
WOMEN THAN
MEN |
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COLITIS CAN
ALSO OCCUR
WITH ULCERS
(ULCERATIVE
COLITIS) |
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PEOPLE WITH
COLITIS HAVE
A SLIGHTLY
HIGHER
INCIDENCE OF
COLON CANCER |
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Following a colitis–friendly
diet is often the only way
to completely resolve the
symptoms. Results are
usually seen within six
months but some patients
must remain on the diet for
several years before being
able to tolerate the
restricted foods. The most
common food triggers are
milk products, wheat, yeast,
alcohol, caffeine and
salicylates (aspirin and the
mint family). Foods
containing these substances
should be avoided. In
addition, the colitis diet
makes these recommendations:
Foods to avoid: beans, peas,
French fries, bacon,
sardines, corn, nuts, seeds,
citrus fruits, red meat,
sugar, spicy food,
carbonated beverages,
carrageenan (a stabilizing
agent used in cottage
cheese, chocolate milk and
whipped cream) and refined
carbohydrates. |
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Avoid non-water soluble
fibre like wheat bran.
Avoid any other foods you
are sensitive to.
Food to consume:
predominantly vegetarian
diet, raw vegetables and
fruits, filtered water, all
grains (not wheat), rice,
potatoes, vegetables juices
like carrot, green drinks,
alfalfa sprouts, asparagus,
garlic, butter, yogurt,
kefir, sauerkraut, flaxseeds
and flax seed oil. Use
water-soluble fibres like
chicory root, oat bran or
apple pectin. Broil or
bake meats instead of
frying. Steam
vegetables lightly.
Eat fruit after a meal, not
on an empty stomach.
Tackling the emotional
aspects of colitis should
also be undertaken.
Reducing stress and
increasing exercise promotes
proper bowel functioning.
Abdominal massage and
hydrotherapy can be helpful
in the healing stages of
colitis.
The following list of
supplements can be used for
preventing and treating
colitis. Adult doses are
given. Start supplementation
of one product at a time so
that if any product is
irritating it can be easily
identified.
(CLICK SUPPLEMENT NAME FOR PRODUCTS).
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SUPPLEMENT |
DOSAGE |
THERAPEUTIC
EFFECT |
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COLOSTRUM |
As directed |
Helps reduce
inflammation and
repair damage to the
intestinal wall. |
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Aloe vera gel or
juice |
2-4 ounces daily |
Soothes an irritated
gut. |
DGL (deglycer-
hizinated licorice) |
As directed |
Reduces irritation
of the intestinal
wall. |
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glutamine |
2000-5000mg daily in
divided doses |
Helps to repair
damage to the
intestinal lining |
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Acidophilus |
As directed |
Helps to maintain
the health of both
the large and small
intestines.
Improves absorption
of nutrients. |
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Vitamin C with
bioflavinoids |
10000mg three times
daily. Use a
non acidic vitamin C
like Ester C. |
Stabilizes the
inflammatory
response. Supports
mucous membranes. |
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Multi Enzymes with
Papain |
As
directed with meals,
ensure 1500mg daily
of papain |
Replaces missing
enzymes. Ensures
complete digestion
of all foods
especially proteins. |
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Medicinal clay |
1tsp
in ½ glass of water
twice daily |
Heals
the walls of the
colon and protects
it from irritation.
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Essential fatty
acids |
As
directed |
Helps
to rebuild the
intestinal wall.
Celiacs are often
deficient in fats
and fat-soluble
vitamins. |
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Free form amino
acids |
As
directed |
Provides protein in
a pre-digested form. |
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Also
beneficial for
COLITIS: |
Multivitamins,
vitamin B complex,
vitamin B12, vitamin
A, vitamin E,
vitamin D, calcium
and magnesium,
psyllium, green food
supplements, evening
primrose oil,
glutathione,
probiotics,
N-acetyl-glucosamine,
alfalfa, silica,
agrimony, essiac
combination,
dandelion, saffron
and yellow dock. |
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informational
purposes only.
Please consult your
health care
practitioner before
taking natural
health care
products. Click here
for full disclaimer. |
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All articles
copyright National Nutrition
2001 - 2012. For educational
purposes only. Please note
that while National Nutrition
supports your right to use
natural health care products for
any therapeutic purpose that you
see fit, that the information on
this website should not be
considered as a claim or as a
substitute for medical advice. |
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