Ulcerative Colitis and Nutrition

[O]

hello,
i wanted to know if anyone studied the subject of ulcerative colitis (uc) and nutrition.
a lot of mainstream dr. don't know how to treat uc and they point out that nutrition is not the cause.

any insights are reatly welcome.

thomas 

[samten/samuel smith]

Hi Thomas,
I did a paper on ulcerative cholitis as part of my Spring 06 Natural Chef Program at Baumann.
The dietary admonitions include avoiding sugar in the case of ulcerative proctitis (the inflammation is limited to the rectum). Other dietary suggestions are to ingest omega-three fatty acids and magnesium for symptomatic relief.
A number of foods are recommended: alfalfa sprouts, dandelion greens, flaxseed oil, ground flaxseed, kelp and rishi mushrooms (source: "Dietary Wellness).
I discovered that oats are one of the best sources of magnesium.
I devised some recipes and menus that contain these foods.
My sources are as follows:
Balch, Phyllis, Prescription for Dietary Wellness. New York: Avery, 2003.
Murray, Michael, The Encyclopedia of Healing Foods. New york: Atria Books, 2005.
and the Website: http://digestive-disorders.health-cares.net/proctitis-treatments.php

Hope this is of some help.
Sam Ten

[Greg]

Thomas,

Nutrition plays a role in all digestive issues. It does not surprise me that mainstream doctors still can not see the correlation between nutrition and health.
The main issue is poor gut bacteria and the over abundance of cooked foods and toxins from poor food choices and the environment.
The gut has to be restored with good bacteria. A good probiotic supplement and certain raw foods will help greatly. Include in the diet the following organic foods: raw avocados, raw tomatoes, raw vegetable juices (celery, cabbage, cucumber, lemon, a pinch of ginger) raw butter and raw eggs. Raw butter and eggs are packed with great bacteria, help draw toxins out of the body, and help lubricate and soothe the digestive tract. High quality flax oil, cod liver oil, and coconut oil will be helpful. Homemade or the highest quality health food brand sauerkraut will be beneficial to eat with every meal. Raw milk that is left to ferment for a day or two in the cupboard will be packed with good bacteria. Just ferment a glass at a time: 4-6 ounces. A little fruit is okay and it is best eaten with avocado or raw butter. Absolutely no pasteurized dairy, no gluten grains, and no raw vegetables, with the exception of avocado and tomato, which are fruits. Raw vegetable juices are okay, but raw vegetables can be hard on someone with colitis. Once the mess is cleared, then other foods can be allowed. Limit the non gluten grains and when they are consumed, eat them with some raw fat or good oil.
Other supplements to consider: digestive enzymes, aloe vera juice, slippery elm, licorice, marshmallow, chamomile, and digestive bitters: gentian, yellow dock, hops, and orange peel. L-glutamine will be helpful as well. This is a good start and I have to go. Any other questions, just let me know.

Greg Gillette, N.E., H.C.

[Cathy Crystal]

I would recommend that your friend consult with a Certified Nutrition Consultant that can get a full history and help him make some changes that will be helpful for his condition.
 

[DebbyB]

I had severe ulcerative colitis up until about a year ago.  I tried many different avenues of alternative treatment over the years.  Finally, I started working with a nutritionist who put me on a VERY restricted whole foods diet for a year.   It was hard going but I am happy to report that my ulcerative colitis is now under control.  I wouldn't say it is cured but it is certainly manageable without the use of any western drugs.

My diet included a lot of veggie juicing, blended salads, nuts and a meat or fish protein for dinner with a pound of steamed veggies.  No grains, rice or potato were included.  My nutritionist recommended a book called 'Breaking the Vicious Cycle' by Elaine Gottchell.  The diet I followed was more strict than the one suggested in Elaine Gottchell's book.

[O]

in response to hayday's post:

since my initial post, i went around trying to find alternative cures to colitis.
i worked with a nutritionist in san rafael, california, who actually holds degrees from baumann college, his name is dr. haig -http://meta-balance.com/-.

apart from determining my metabolic type, he suggested the exact same diet:
-no grains, i.e. pasta, rice, bread
-eliminate sugar from my diet
-eat more vegetables, proteins and fermented foods.

this resulted in great success. now, after three months in his supervision, i deem myself under constant remission.

thank you for posting, hayday. it is empowering to see how the same diet helped you, too.

[uc]

I put my UC into full remission with a similar diet:

-no grains (bread, rice...)
-no potatoes
-no sugar

I complemented my diet with first prescription and later OTC anti-fungal medication. I am still amazed how many people claim that nutrition has nothing to do with UC. In any case, I posted my experience, details and links on my website. I am lazy, and don't really want to have to repeat myself all the time. I hope that you don't have UC, but if you have it, I hope that my website is helpful to you.

http://www.geocities.com/ucfungus/index.html

[kvallejo]

I heard from an accupuncturist that the ayurvedic herb boswellia can be very helpful in dealing with ulcerative colitis and inflamatory conditions. You may want to look into the properties of this herb.

KVallejo

[Steen2000]

I have Colitis. fortunately it has so far (10 years) been only in the rectum. But I live with a constant fear that it will spread, a fear that has limited my life quality for many years 

I have decided to do something about. I have however no real knowledge of what helps or harm me - as I have no stomach pains etc. But once every ½ year I bleed etc. and it fills me with fear. ... as right now.

Okay back to topic:
1. What would/could be the diet recommendations for my situation?
2. @Greg: Shouldn't I eat raw vegetables either? I do a lot and it gives me no problems in the stomach
3. What is raw butter ? Isn't butter always raw?
4. How do you eat without eating grain, pasta, rice? What do you eat instead?