Crohns disease

[Guest guest]

I looked this up in my medical herbal book, but it's so difficult cos there's so

much to copy out!!!

Apparently in a study carried out in 1993 food allergies were found to be the

most common cause of the disease and results suggested that dietary changes may

be as effective as corticosteroids in easing the symptoms. There's a huge list

of suggest ed allergens but seems to be stress on dairy intolerance. The

recommended diet is bland with little fibre.I would be looking at a qualified

herbalist or homeopath to visit, but because of the seriousness of the disease

would not want to recommend treatments without first seeing the person.

Not very helpful, sorry

Regards

Ann - Scotland

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

I'm sorry to hear your friend is so sick Andrea

 

Hopefully she can find some helpful resources and info here ....

http://www.healingwell.com/ibd/

 

*Smile*

Chris

 

http://www.alittleolfactory.com

 

 

Andrea wrote:

 

> Hello I am a newbie to the group. A wonderful friend of mine has

> Crohns Disease and I was wondering if there is anything any of you may

> know that could help. She has taken every steroid know to man and had

> had part of her colon removed. Today she finds out that the surgery

> was point less and did not a bit of good. She eats food but is not

> able to get the minerals and vitamins from them in order to maintain

> good health, so she basically fills her stomach but starves herself

> because her body will not take the vits and minerals from the food. So

> they started her on prescription vitamins and B12 shots daily. They

> took her off all the other drugs because they are not doing anything

> for her. Please if any of you know anything that could help I would be

> forever in your debt.

>

> I also researched online some herbal drugs. They have an aloe based

> drug out that seems to be wonderful and I am going to pass the

> information along to her.

>

> Thank you so much,

> Andrea

[Guest guest]

Thanks I was just wondering. Her diet is very strict, she can't really eat

meat because it upsets the stomach and has to watch everything she eats. If

you all hear of anything just let me know.

Andrea

-

" Chris Ziegler " <chrisziggy1

 

Wednesday, April 10, 2002 6:52 PM

Re: Crohns Disease

 

 

> I'm sorry to hear your friend is so sick Andrea

>

> Hopefully she can find some helpful resources and info here ....

> http://www.healingwell.com/ibd/

>

> *Smile*

> Chris

>

> http://www.alittleolfactory.com

>

>

> Andrea wrote:

>

> > Hello I am a newbie to the group. A wonderful friend of mine has

> > Crohns Disease and I was wondering if there is anything any of you may

> > know that could help. She has taken every steroid know to man and had

> > had part of her colon removed. Today she finds out that the surgery

> > was point less and did not a bit of good. She eats food but is not

> > able to get the minerals and vitamins from them in order to maintain

> > good health, so she basically fills her stomach but starves herself

> > because her body will not take the vits and minerals from the food. So

> > they started her on prescription vitamins and B12 shots daily. They

> > took her off all the other drugs because they are not doing anything

> > for her. Please if any of you know anything that could help I would be

> > forever in your debt.

> >

> > I also researched online some herbal drugs. They have an aloe based

> > drug out that seems to be wonderful and I am going to pass the

> > information along to her.

> >

> > Thank you so much,

> > Andrea

>

>

>

>

>

> How To Make Rose Petal Jam - Step By Step Instructions

> http://www.av-at.com/stuff/rosejam.html

>

> To Un send a blank e-mail to:

-

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Andrea,

Is your friend taking any form of enzymes? My older sister has Crohns disease.

When

she takes enzymes she is able to eat just about anything, otherwise she is also

on a

bland diet.

 

Regina Taylor

[Guest guest]

The doctors took her off of everything but some prescription Vitamins and a

B12 shot everyday. I think the doctors have given up. She has an appointment

with another doctor at Baptist hospital hopefully something will come of

that. Thanks

Andrea

-

" Regina " <taylor

 

Thursday, April 11, 2002 3:39 PM

Re: Crohns Disease

 

 

> Andrea,

> Is your friend taking any form of enzymes? My older sister has Crohns

disease. When

> she takes enzymes she is able to eat just about anything, otherwise she is

also on a

> bland diet.

>

> Regina Taylor

How To Make Rose Petal Jam - Step By Step Instructions

> http://www.av-at.com/stuff/rosejam.html

>

> To Un send a blank e-mail to:

-

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi, I have had this disease for over 40 years, and have had 3 resections plus los of gall bladder. Has anyone had relief from natural therapies for this illness. Kind regards, CarmenCarmen

Take the Internet to Go: Go puts the Internet in your pocket: mail, news, photos more.

[Guest guest]

Hi Carmen,

 

Have you ever been checked for celiac disease/gluten sensitivity?

 

If not, you could try a gluten free diet to see if it makes a difference.

 

I have a lot of links if you are interested.

 

Feel free to write to me and I'll send them.

 

All the best,

Yannic

(yannic)

 

 

 

-

starwoman

Tuesday, August 07, 2007 2:36 AM

Crohns disease

 

 

 

Hi,

 

I have had this disease for over 40 years, and have had 3 resections plus los of gall bladder.

 

Has anyone had relief from natural therapies for this illness.

 

Kind regards,

 

Carmen

Carmen

 

 

Take the Internet to Go: Go puts the Internet in your pocket: mail, news, photos more.

[Guest guest]

Hi Carmen,

I have crohn's too - have you heard of the Specific Carbohydrate

Diet? It is covered in the book called " Breaking the Vicious Cycle "

by Elaine Gottschall. It can actually heal your gut and resolve your

symptoms. Alsok hyperbaric oxygen therapy is very helpful in

reducing inflammation (and closing fistulas, if you have them).

Boswellia extract is a supplement that is just as effective, or more

so that most 5-ASA type medications, like pentasa and asacol. Also,

glutamine, glucosamine, and fish oil are good supplements.

Hope this helps! (I see your post was a long time ago, but thought

I'd respond anyway).

 

, " Hen & Yan " <fa034262

wrote:

>

> Hi Carmen,

>

> Have you ever been checked for celiac disease/gluten sensitivity?

>

> If not, you could try a gluten free diet to see if it makes a

difference.

>

> I have a lot of links if you are interested.

>

> Feel free to write to me and I'll send them.

>

> All the best,

> Yannic

> (yannic)

>

>

> -

> starwoman

>

> Tuesday, August 07, 2007 2:36 AM

> Crohns disease

>

>

>

> Hi,

>

> I have had this disease for over 40 years, and have had 3

resections plus los of gall bladder.

>

> Has anyone had relief from natural therapies for this illness.

>

> Kind regards,

>

> Carmen

>

>

>

> Carmen

>

>

> --

----------

> Take the Internet to Go: Go puts the Internet in your

pocket: mail, news, photos more.

>

[Guest guest]

I'm sure you've heard these statements from folk medicine

practitioners - " Stomach problems are the cause of all ills " or " Death

begins in the colon. " They are absolutely right. Today, through the

efforts of many scientists and medical doctors, we have hundreds of

clinical studies and pieces of scientific research that confirm what

these folk medicine practitioners have been saying for many generations.

 

Jeffrey Anderson, M.D., wrote an article titled " How Problems with

Digestion Can Cause Illness Anywhere " , and in this article he explains

why you should address the health of the gastrointestinal tract first,

no matter what the name of the degenerative disease. He explains that

new information on the dynamics of the body make it clear that

conditions in the digestive tract affect the all systems. The

degradation of the gastrointestinal environment is one of the primary

points at which health is lost. What we now know is that the same

toxins associated with GI dysfunction are frequently absorbed and

distributed to other parts of the body. First they place a burden on

the liver and the immune system. If liver overload occurs, there will

be spill over, and some of the toxins will be passed on to other

organs or tissues.

 

Often, it's a weak link in the system that will be hit by the damage -

an organ that can be anywhere in the body that is most likely to be

vulnerable. The vulnerability may be inherited, caused by physical

injury, toxic exposure, or poor diet. For example, if the sensitive

system is the lungs, toxins that originate in the gut and circulate in

the bloodstream may manifest as asthma or allergies.

 

Len Saputo, M.D., in his article, " Harmful Flora " , also believes that

if the gastrointestinal tract goes out of balance and the liver

detoxification system breaks down, our entire immune system can

malfunction in three ways. First, it can be weakened and the result

called an immune suppression disease, such as cancer and AIDS.

Second, it can overreact and become hyperresponsive to normal stimuli;

this occurs in asthma, migraine, and food allergies. Third, a

malfunctioning immune system can cause auto immune reactions, where

antibodies target our own tissues, as in rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.

 

Dr. Saputo explains that the gastrointestinal tract is the largest

immune organ in our body. Eighty percent of all our protective immune

globulins are produced in the digestive tract. It doesn't take a

rocket scientist to see that when this large, strategically placed

immune system member isn't working well, our defenses are lowered and

once our barriers are down, it can become much more difficult to

defend against invaders.

 

Therefore, this article becomes the most important article that I've

written to help you understand that in practicing prevention, keeping

your digestive system in the best possible shape is the most important

preventative step you can do on a daily basis. The Introduction piece

comes from an article that I've kept in my files for many years

because I loved the analogy that the author used between the earth

atmosphere and its role in protecting our environment and the

intestine's role in protecting our overall health. Unfortunately I

don't know who the author of this article is. Please read this

article carefully and read it more than once. I hope that you find

many of the nutritional tips that I list for you to be helpful in

regaining the health of your digestive system or as Henry G. Bieler,

M.D., said: " Your first line of defense against disease. "

 

INTESTINAL HEALTH

 

The gastrointestinal tract is routinely defined as " a tube

approximately 15 feet long, running through the body from mouth to

anus. " The World Book Dictionary adds that the intestine is " the lower

part of the alimentary canal... food from the stomach passes into the

intestine for further digestion and for absorption. " This boringly

simplistic concept of intestinal function, combined with its

indisputable lack of glamor, is reason enough for most people to never

give the importance of intestinal health a second thought. This is

unfortunate, possibly even dangerous, and needs to change. The reality

is that healthy intestinal function is critically important to overall

health. This realization makes it incumbent upon all those desiring

good health to understand the importance of optimal intestinal health

and adjust their habits into alignment with that knowledge.

 

The Intestine as a Protective Barrier

 

Consider as an analogy the atmosphere surrounding the earth and its

role in protecting our environment. It parallels the function of the

intestine and its role in protecting our overall health. The earth's

atmosphere provides a protective barrier to support and sustain the

abundant variety of life found here. But it is important to note that

balance is the key! The atmosphere is composed of a critical balance

of different gases that enable it to provide the earth with important

filter-like protection, selectively screening out anything that could

be damaging to, or allowing the penetration of anything that would be

necessary for the life of its 30 million different species of inhabitants.

 

In principal, the intestine provides a very similar protective

barrier. The healthy intestinal wall is coated with hundreds of

different species of microorganisms, both healthful and unhealthful

bacteria numbering in the billions. This rich, protective coating of

microorganisms acts in concert with the physical barrier provided by

the cells lining the intestinal tract and other factors, to provide

the body with important filter-like protection. Damaging substances

like unhealthy bacteria, toxins, chemicals and wastes are filtered out

and eliminated. Simultaneously, the critical factors needed for life,

such as nutrients and water, are absorbed into circulation and made

available to the billions of cells in the body that need them.

 

The atmosphere acts as a selective barrier making sunlight available

for life-sustaining photosynthesis, while simultaneously preventing

the sun's disease-causing ultraviolet light from penetrating. It is

screened out by a protective portion called the ozone layer. The

selective barrier function of the intestine is equally profound. In

the healthy state, the absorption of small sugars, fats and proteins

proceed through the intestinal wall and circulate throughout the body.

They are required for a myriad of essential reactions. Simultaneously,

damaging substances from unhealthful bacteria, incompletely digested

food, toxins, or chemicals, are largely prevented from being absorbed

and transported throughout the body. We are continually and

unknowingly protected from the ill effects of these damaging substances.

 

Bad Habits That Negatively Impact Intestinal Health

 

Unfortunately human beings have developed bad habits that promote

imbalance in both the atmosphere and the intestinal tract. For

example, pollutants such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFO) have punctured

holes in our ozone shield. The ozone hole has widened and deepened

every year since scientists began measuring ozone levels in 1985.

Scientists feel that the continual depletion of the ozone layer will

cause greater amounts of ultraviolet radiation to reach earth,

resulting in greater cancer risk, as well as other health problems.

 

In a remarkable parallel, other bad habits in our society in general

have contributed to an imbalance of intestinal protective factors in

an alarming percentage of the population. These bad habits include

wide spread consumption of a diet high in refined, simple sugars and

deficient in nutritious, whole, unprocessed foods and fiber. The type

of diet could potentially tip the intestinal balance toward overgrowth

of unhealthful bacteria and the proliferation of yeast fungal

organisms. It is also associated with less frequent bowel movements

and a number of forms of chronic intestinal dysfunction.

 

Other bad habits include the excess consumption of alcohol and use of

antacids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pain relievers. These may

contribute to a breakdown or deterioration in the physical integrity

of the intestinal wall, much like CFC's have punctured the ozone

layer, creating holes for ultraviolet radiation to enter the

atmosphere. Scientists describe this state of intestinal breakdown as

" leaky gut syndrome " and feel it may contribute to intestinal

dysfunction. A stressful lifestyle combined with a bad diet, deficient

in important nutrients such as L-glutamine, pantothenic acid, zinc,

folic acid, vitamin B12, vitamin A and others, may impair the healing

of the intestine and lead to it's deterioration. Another bad habit is

the over use of broad spectrum antibiotics. Researchers have

acknowledged that virtually every antibiotic taken orally causes

alterations in the balance of the bacteria in the intestine. Even as

little as one course of antibiotics can deteriorate that rich,

protective coating of micro-organisms and upset the balance between

healthful and unhealthful bacteria, reducing resistance to intestinal

and systemic ill health.

 

Helpful Suggestions for Achieving Optimal Intestinal Health

 

Short term relief:

 

• Drink a glass of water flavored with fresh organic lemon juice

one half-hour before meals. Fresh lemon juice is a traditional tonic

for stimulating the appetite and increasing salivary and gastric

secretions for better digestion of foods.

 

• Use peppermint oil to bring relief from pain caused by gas.

Most pharmacies sell peppermint oil. Put a few drops of the oil in

water and drink for instant relief. Peppermint oil is known to relax

the muscle at the top of the stomach, letting stomach acid leak.

 

• Stock up on ginger root, anise, fennel and caraway seeds. Buy

fresh organic ginger and put a few thinly sliced pieces in water mixed

with a tablespoon of fennel, anise and caraway. Boil for five minutes

and drink this healing tea. Ginger contains a carminative that

protects the stomach. Ginger increases circulation so it helps effect

a systemic cleansing through the bowels. Fennel treats indigestion,

gas and spasms of the digestive tract and increases peristalsis.

Caraway and anise are stimulants that reduce spasms in the

gastrointestinal tract.

 

• Take some activated charcoal. Charcoal will absorb gas and

toxins and remove them quickly from your system. Activated charcoal

can be bought from any health food store. However, activated charcoal

is indiscriminate in what it absorbs. Therefore, it should not be

taken with food or medicines as it would absorb them, too, and it

should not be taken over long periods of time. It is, however, good

for instant relief of gas and toxins. Keep activated charcoal in your

medicine cabinet for emergencies.

 

Long term remedies:

 

• Maintain a healthy population of microorganisms in your

intestinal tract. It is important to be aware that your intestinal

tract may be harboring excessive populations of unfriendly

microorganisms such as candida albicans, bacteria, viruses and

parasites. Therefore, you should take large amounts of friendly

bacteria supplements daily as listed below:

 

1. Lactobacillus acidophilus - http://tinyurl.com/24ajq - helps

the body remove the food that is stuck to the sides of your intestinal

walls. It is the small intestine's cleaning crew, taking away the

breeding ground of bad bacteria and parasites. When the acidophilus

has been fully reestablished in the small intestine, it will prevent

toxic waste from sticking to the sides of the walls so that the food

can be absorbed.

 

2. Bifidus - http://tinyurl.com/26rur - helps to clean the sides

of the walls of your large intestine. It draws fluid into the waste

material to enable the movement of waste out of your body. It is your

large intestine's cleaning crew.

 

3. L. Bulgaricus, L. salivarius and other friendly bacteria taken

in supplemental form every day can help fight and overpower bad

bacteria in the large and small intestines. One of the best friendly

bacteria products in the market today is a wide-spectrum friendly

bacteria supplement micro-blended with fructo-oligosaccharides -

http://tinyurl.com/6gzqa. Following are its ingredients:

Lactobacillus acidophilus DDS-1, Bifidobacterium bifidum,

Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus

plantarum, Lactobacillus salivarius, Streptococcus faecium,

Streptococcus thermophilus, Acerola and Rose Hips blend, wild blue

green algae, Jerusalem artichoke, Lipase, Amylase, Protease, and

Cellulase.

 

• There may not be sufficient hydrochloric acid. Friendly

bacteria will help balance stomach acid. Also, a useful technique to

increase stomach acidity during a meal is to sip a little bit of water

mixed with 2 tablespoons of organic apple cider vinegar and the juice

of half a lemon. Some people find that this practice improves their

digestion and reduces gas and abdominal bloating.

 

• It is important to take digestive enzymes with any cooked meal.

Lack of enzymes due to cooking (heating) our foods make it impossible

to fully breakdown proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. The pancreas

becomes stressed in the process of taking over the burden of producing

extra digestive enzymes for all cooked meals. Taking plant based

enzymes as a digestive aid helps break down any cooked meal without

stressing your pancreas. Enzyme supplements can make a huge

improvement to your digestive system. Do not purchase any digestive

enzymes that are not microblended with whole foods. Enzymes need

minerals to work and whole foods like the mineral rich blue green

algae will make enzymes work better in the intestinal tract -

http://tinyurl.com/mkwo.

 

• Fiber is essential for digestive system health. High quality

fiber is important in the fight against candida. Research has shown

the health benefits of a diet high in fiber. They include regularity,

lower cholesterol, protection against certain forms of cancer, and

stabilized blood sugar levels.

 

To maintain intestinal hygiene, you need about 35 to 40 grams of

different fiber sources everyday (e.g., bran, cellulose, lignin,

pectin, etc.), all found in different organically grown, ripe seasonal

fruit, whole grains, and colorful vegetables. Eating these foods

provides the added fiber that will bulk up in your intestines, gently

sweeping the colon clean of extra estrogen, hormones, toxins, waste

debris of cellular metabolism and soak up excess cholesterol. Do not

try to " mega-dose " on one type of fiber, like oat bran, as you need

each (all) of the different basic fibers for proper bowel cleansing.

 

The following foods are particularly known to add to the healthy

condition of your intestine, specifically because of their fiber

content: Flax seed, also known for its anti- harmful bacteria

properties, prunes, apples and mangoes.

 

How do you eat your flax seeds? Eat two tablespoons of brown or even

better yet, gold flax seeds. Grind the seeds with a coffee grinder

and sprinkle on foods, salads, or juices. Do not store any ground

seeds as they will go rancid quickly.

 

It's very important to grind the seeds before eating them. If you

swallow flax seeds whole, your body will not get the nutrients they

contain, because they are protected by a tough seed coat. Believe it

or not, after the seeds go through you, you could plant them and they

would still grow! To break the seed coating and make the nutrients

available for digestion, grind whole flax seeds in a small grinder or

blender cup. In this way, you get the freshest, best-tasting, least

spoiled oil possible, plus all of the other nutrients and fiber

contained in flax.

 

• Avoid coffee, which can cause symptoms of indigestion. Both

regular and decaffeinated coffee should be eliminated.

 

• If you suspect that you may have intestinal yeasts, bacteria and

parasites, raw garlic is the best natural antibiotic substance. Slice

one to 2 cloves and swallow at night with a glass of water (not

chewing helps to avoid the odor). Garlic is able to kill bacteria,

parasites and yeasts. If you suspect you have a large overgrowth,

even higher doses of garlic may be required. However, do not continue

to use raw garlic long term. Use raw garlic for short periods of

times, 2-4 weeks at most.

 

• Avoid refined sugars and carbohydrates as this is fuel for

harmful microorganisms especially yeasts.

 

• Use turmeric daily (can be taken with garlic at night) which is

known as an aid for digestion and a liver tonic.

 

• Drink spring water between your meals. Drinking spring water

between your meals helps to soften the food in your intestinal tract

and helps the friendly bacteria clean the intestinal walls.

 

All the former instructions should bring encouraging results but you

have to be patient because cleansing must come first, then and only

then, the rebuilding of healthy new tissue takes place leading to a

healthy digestive system.

 

References:

The Healthy Liver & Bowel Book. Sandra Cabot, M.D.

Optimal Digestion. Trent Nichols, M.D.

Tissue Cleansing Through Bowel Management. Bernard Jensen, D.C.