The Role of Essential Fatty Acids in Treating Crohn's

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The Role of Essential Fatty Acids in Treating Crohn's

JoAnn Guest

Dec 27, 2003 14:31 PST

 

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Anti-inflammatory Potential of Essential Fatty Acids

Comprehensive Nutritional Status in Patients with Crohn Disease

 

Medical Abstract Title:

Comprehensive Nutritional Status in Patients with Long-standing

Crohn

Disease Currently in Remission

Author:

Geerling BJ, Badart-Smook A, Stockbrugger RW, Brummer RJ

Source:

Am J Clin Nutr. 1998; 67(5):919-926.

 

Abstract:

 

*Malnutrition* is observed frequently and is an important

complication

in patients with Crohn disease (CD).

The pathophysiology of *malnutrition* in this disorder is complex.

 

To obtain a comprehensive picture of nutritional status in patients

with long-standing CD that was clinically in remission, we assessed

four measures of nutritional status in 32 patients (18 women and 14

men) and 32 matched healthy control subjects:

 

1) body composition, 2) dietary intake, 3) biochemical indexes of

nutrition, and 4) muscle strength (as a functional index).

 

Mean daily intakes of fiber were significantly lower in

CD patients than in control subjects.Serum concentrations of several

 

nutrients (beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, and zinc)

 

and activity of the enzyme *glutathione* peroxidase were also

 

significantly *lower* in CD patients,

as were antioxidant status and serum concentrations of magnesium and

vitamin D.

 

 

In conclusion, this study showed a variety of nutritional and

functional *deficiencies* in patients with long-standing CD in

remission,

especially in male patients with a high lifetime prednisone dose.

A comprehensive nutritional assessment seems superior to the

assessment of a single dimension of nutritional status.

 

www.enzy.com

--

From

" Omega-3 Oils, "

by Donald Rudin, MD

and Clara Felix, page 67.

 

In one study, doctors in Bologna and Turin, Italy, gave fish-oil

capsules three times a day for one year to thirty-nine Crohn's

patients for about eight months.

 

A similar control group of thirty-nine patients received capsules

that

contained

neutral oils. The fish-oil capsules were specially formulated to

reduce fishy odor and to improve absorption of Omega-3 EPA and DHA.

 

Reducing the odor was important, because until the trial was over,

neither the doctors nor the patients knew which patients had gotten

which oils.

 

After a year of ingesting 2.7 grams of EPA and DHA every day,

twenty-three of the patients who received the fish oils

were still in remission.

By contrast, only eleven of the thirty-nine control patients stayed

in

remission.

 

 

In Crohn's disease, bowel tissue contains *abnormally* high levels

of

inflammation-producing,

" bad " " prostaglandins " from Omega-6 ARA (arachadonic acids).

 

 

In the patients taking the fish oil whose illness remained in

remission, red blood cell levels of ARA (arachadonic acids) plunged,

 

while levels of Omega-3 EPA and DHA rose greatly.

 

 

In general, laboratory tests indicated that *inflammation* decreased

in

the fish oil patients, but increased in

the control patients.

 

Ulcerative Colitis is another chronic *inflammatory* disease,

usually

of the large intestine, in which ulceration and erosion of the

bowel tissue cause severe diarrhea and loss of blood, as well as

weakness and weightloss.

 

As in Crohn's disease,bowel tissue shows high levels of " bad, "

ARA (arachadonic acid)-produced prostaglandins.

The worse the symptoms,the higher the levels of these

 

trouble-making *prostaglandins* (AAs).

 

In one study, conductedby William Stenson of Washington University

School of medicine, twenty-four patients with active ulcerative

colitis who took fish-oil

capsules for four months showed a big *drop*in " bad " prostaglandins.

 

These patients also showed bowel tissue healing and reduced rectal

bleeding,and they gained badly needed weight.

Capsules contained 5.4 grams of EPA and DHA. Moreover, seven

patients

who were also getting prednisteroid steriod

drug, were able to cut their dosages in half.

 

Note: Inflammatory " Arachadonic acids " (AA) contributing to the rise

in " bad " prostaglandins are more plentiful in processed, refined

oils

and high protein animal foods, i.e. red meats and dairy products.

__________________________

 

New Study Finds Fish Oil Helpful in Crohn's Disease

---

 

A fascinating report appearing in the June 13, 1996

issue of the 'New England Journal of Medicine'

found fish oil preparation to be useful in Crohn's disease.

 

 

Typically Crohn's disease is episodic. This means that patients may

experience " flareups " during which time their disease is active,as

well

as relatively symptom

free periods during which time digestive function is fairly normal.

 

This recent study looked at 78 patients with Crohn's disease.

One group received nine fish oil capsules each day or a placebo.

Among the group of patients receiving the fish oil,28% had relapses

during the one year study. In contrast, in the group receiving the

placebo,

69% experienced relapses.

 

It has long been known that foods like fish oil, rich in the omega-3

essential fatty acids,

have significant *anti-inflammatory* activity.

 

The omega-3 essential fatty acids produce a specific type of

chemical

in the body called " prostaglandins " ,

which serve as one of the body's main *mediators* of inflammation.

_________________________

 

EFA FUNCTIONS IN BODY--

 

--1.EFAs are precursors of several important *regulatory* molecules

such as prostaglandins,

leukotrienes and thromboxanes in the body.

 

Prostaglandin E1,

in particular has a wide range of desirable effects

including *reduction* of inflammation,

lowering blood pressure and inhibiting platelet aggregation.--

 

--1.EFAs are involved in transportation and metabolism of

cholesterol.

 

EFAs disperses cholesterol and makes it more soluble so that the

body is able to get rid of it. EFAs also have the ability to

*inhibit*

the

" synthesis " of LDL the bad cholesterol in our body.--

 

--1.EFAs are required for every single cell in the body to function

effectively. The cell membrane must compose of certain level of EFAs

for proper cell structure and integrity

___________________________

DATELINE: VANCOUVER, Feb. 12, 2002

DANISH CLINICAL TRIAL:

 

Lending support to this message, Udo Erasmus points to a recent

Danish

clinical trial which reveals the significant health benefits

experienced by a group of

61 individuals who added a high dose of EFAs from cold pressed

natural, unrefined oils to their daily diets.

 

The participants were instructed to not modify any other

aspects of their diets, including supplements and medications, for

the

duration of the study.

 

Individuals were later measured for risk factors involved in

cardiovascular disease.

 

" The changes were quite significant " , says Erasmus. After eight

weeks,8%

increased their " good " HDL cholesterol levels and 16% improved their

overall HDL:LDL cholesterol ratios.

 

A second sub-group of individuals noticed even greater improvements

after being monitored for an additional seven weeks:

 

Fasting glucose (blood sugar) levels had decreased by 6%

 

Triglycerides (blood fats) had decreased by 21%

 

Total cholesterol had decreased by 7%

HDL cholesterol was increased by 16%

LDL cholesterol had decreased by 15%

The HDL:LDL ratio had improved by 40%

 

VIEW ADDITIONAL COMPANY-SPECIFIC INFORMATION:

http://www.newswire.ca/cgi-bin/inquiry.cgi?OKEY=8360

To book Udo for Press Engagements: Jasmin TamDoo FloraHealth Inc /

Tel: (604)436-6000 Ext.189 Fax: (604) 436-6060 / Email:

ja-

 

http://www.udoerasmus.com/articles/press/2002_02_cvdisease.htm

 

 

 

Fish Oil should not be confused with cod liver oil which is the oil

extracted from the *liver* of the fish.

 

Salmon, mackerel, menhaden, herring and sardines are good sources of

fish oil because they provide more omega-3 factors than other fishes.

 

For instance,4 ounces of salmon contains up to 3,600 milligrams of

omega-3 fatty acids,

 

while 4 ounces of *cod* contains only 300 mgs.

 

Norwegian fish oil is preferable, as it is taken from *pristine*

 

artic waters.

 

Cod liver oil from Norway is the most commonly used fish oil however

it is not recommended that you rely on cod *liver* oil for your

 

essential fatty acid requirements. You would inevitably be

*overdosing*

on

 

vitamins A and D in order to get the optimum amounts needed.

www.spectrumnaturals.com

--

Food

sensitivities can definitely contribute to intestinal problems.

An inability to digest milk and dairy products,

(lactose intolerance) is widespread, and many people with this

problem

don't know that they have it.

 

I'd recommend avoiding all dairy foods for several weeks to see if

it

helps.

 

Other people have a similar, though rarer, intolerance to *gluten*,

the protein in wheat that makes bread dough " spongy " .

Most other grains,except rice and teff, (a grain used in Ethiopia),

contain gluten as well.

 

It's not easy to eliminate these grains from your diet, but if IBs

is

making you miserable, I'd say it's worth the adjustment for a few

weeks

to see if you feel better.

 

 

Try sbstituting *rice* cakes for bread and rice spaghetti or noodles

for

pasta. Or go

Ethiopian and enjoy some of their great teff pancakes... If you can

find the grain in a natural food store.

 

 

Another fabulous option is substituting the organic " sprouted " grain

 

breads like Ezekiel Bread. This all natural sprouted grain bread can

be found in the natural foods (freezer)

 

section of your local supermarket.

Raisin cinnamon is my favorite.

 

www.food-for-life.com

-------------------------------

Psyllium

(Plantago avata).-

You may never have heard of psyllium seeds,however you may have

heard of

Metamucil.

 

Metamucil is a commercial fiber product that is basically ground

psyllium seeds and husks with some flavoring added. Metamucil works

as a laxative because in the intestine, the mucilage is psyllium

seeds absorbs water and swells to many times its original size.

 

It adds bulk to stool and helps stimulate the muscle contractions we

experience as `the urge " .Psyllium's ability to absorb fluids also

makes it useful for

treating diarrhea, a common symptom.

 

In addition, as it travels through the digestive tract, the mucilage

 

in psyllium exerts a soothing effect, which may help relieve the

cramping. If you

use psyllium, make sure that you also drink plenty of fluids.

 

Tea (Camellia sinensis).-

 

Commission E, the body of experts that advises the German government

about herbs, suggests using astringent herbs containing tannin, such

as tea, for relieving gastrointestinal distress.

 

Besides, plain beverage tea, several common herbs, are rich in

tannin, including

bayberry, bugleweed, bilberry, black walnut, English walnut Carob

and raspberry.

 

 

Valerian (Valeriana Officinalsi)-

 

An Italian study suggests that valerian is a useful addition to

other medicines that relieve spasms in smooth muscles such as the

intestine.

Valerian also helps relieve stress.

 

Assorted herbs:

 

Herbalists often recommend chamomile,

peppermint and wild yam to help relieve muscle spasms, including

those of the intestine.

 

Oil of peppermint soft gels are very effective! These gels can

usually be obtained at your local health food store or natural foods

supplier. Dr Michael Murray advises using enteric coated peppermint

oil

softgels.

 

www.doctormurray.com

 

 

 

Noted British herbalist David Hoffman, author of " The Herbal

Handbook " , suggests treating IBS with a combination herbal cocktail

of two parts bayberry and one part each of chamomile,

peppermint, valerian and wild yam.

 

Herbal pharmacologist Daniel Mowrey, Ph. D., author of `The

scientific Validation of Herbal Medicine and Herbal Tonic Therapies,

recommends several herbs for treating ulcerative colitis and Crohn's

disease,

including fenugreek, gentian, ginger, licorice root, myrrh

gum and papaya leaf.

 

Caution: Do not use licorice if you have high blood pressure. Also

insist on organic papaya for best results. The majority of papaya is

currently genetically modified.

 

 

Taken from: " The Green Pharmacy "

by James A. Duke Ph.D.

 

JoAnn Guest

mrsjo-

DietaryTi-

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