of Crohn's Disease
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- What is crohn's disease?
- Symptoms of crohn's disease
- Causes of crohn's disease
- Prevention of crohn's disease
- Risk factors for crohn's disease
- Complications of crohn's disease
- When to see a doctor about crohn's disease
- Diagnosis of crohn's disease
- Conventional treatment of crohn's disease
- Alternative/complementary treatment of crohn's disease
- Living with crohn's disease
- Caring for someone with crohn's disease
Alternative/complementary treatment of Crohn's disease
There are a number of alternative therapies that can be used to treat Crohn's disease, which can help to reduce the severity and length of symptoms. It is best to see a qualified naturopath who can develop a treatment plan just for you in conjunction with your medical doctor.
Never try to self-treat Crohn's disease, as complications do arise and these need to be treated by a doctor.
Herbs
There are a few herbs which are especially helpful in reducing severity and duration of symptoms:
- Ginger - the renowned anti-nausea properties of ginger can help reduce symptoms
- Marshmallow - this herb has mucilaginous properties, which means it helps to sooth the mucous membranes and enable quicker healing of the ulcer, reducing symptoms in the process. People with hypoglycaemia or diabetes need to be careful taking this herb as it can reduce blood glucose levels too much when it is taken regularly
- Slippery elm powder - this mucilaginous herb can help to relieve symptoms as it coats the intestinal walls and prevents further damage, pain, symptoms and ulceration
Vitamins
There are a number of vitamins which are especially helpful in reducing severity and duration of symptoms:
- Folic acid - people with Crohn's disease may easily become deficient in folic acid and may require supplementation due to malabsorption and anaemia could be the result
- Vitamin A - the antioxidant vitamin A is vitally necessary for healthy mucous membranes and can help to speed up healing time, plus it is an important antioxidant which helps to reduce the damage that inflammation causes. In addition to this, the bowel may not be absorbing the fat-soluble vitamins properly such as vitamin A, due to an inability to absorb fat properly and may be come deficient
- Vitamin B12 - people with Crohn's disease may easily become deficient in vitamin B12 and may require supplementation, as they are not producing enough intrinsic factor to help them absorb it and anaemia could be the result
- Vitamin C - the antioxidant vitamin C is a potent antioxidant which helps to reduce the damage that inflammation causes, plus it helps in the maintenance of healthy collagen
- Vitamin D - people with Crohn's disease may become deficient in the fat-soluble vitamin D because they may not be able to absorb fat properly, which is necessary for the absorption of vitamin D
- Vitamin E - the antioxidant vitamin E is a potent antioxidant which helps to reduce the damage that inflammation causes, plus it helps to reduce inflammation. In addition to this, the bowel may not be absorbing the fat-soluble vitamins properly such as vitamin E, due to an inability to absorb fat properly
- Vitamin K - people with Crohn's disease may become deficient in the fat-soluble vitamin K because they may not be able to absorb fat properly, which is necessary for the absorption of vitamin K
- Multivitamin - a combination of all the vitamins in the form of a multivitamin is necessary to correct any possible nutrient deficiency, but the most important vitamins are listed above
Minerals
There are a number of minerals which are especially helpful in reducing severity and duration of symptoms:
- Selenium - the important antioxidant mineral selenium helps to reduce the damage that inflammation causes and is also important to help the immune system work properly
- Zinc - the antioxidant mineral zinc is needed to help the tissues heal more quickly and effectively and is also important to help the immune system work properly
- Multivitamin - a general multivitamin containing all the minerals is necessary to correct any possible nutrient deficiency, but the most important minerals are listed above
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Other nutrients
There are a number of nutrients which are especially helpful in reducing severity and duration of symptoms:
- Amino acids - all of the 9 essential amino acids should be taken in supplement form to help prevent protein malabsorption
- Antioxidants - the immune boosting antioxidants are required to reduce the damage caused by the inflammation this condition causes
- Bromelain - an enzyme (from pineapple), bromelain is especially helpful for proper digestion
- Digestive enzymes - help to maintain proper intestinal digestion and absorption
- Essential fatty acids - especially omega 3 fatty acids and linoleic acid, which both help to reduce inflammation in the body; the best form to take these is in fish oil, linseed oil, cod liver oil or tuna oil
- Glucosamine - the nutrient glucosamine helps to reduce inflammation and reduces severity of symptoms
- Glycine - the semi-essential amino acid glycine is beneficial in helping reduce the inflammation and thereby also reducing the recovery time from a bout of the disease
- Prebiotics - the precursors of probiotics, help to promote the growth of "good" bacteria in the bowel. They are a type of dietary fibre which cannot be digested by the bowel, so they provide food for the intestinal flora. Examples are: asparagus, garlic, milk, onions, yoghurt
- Probiotics - are living micro-organisms, which are known as "good" bacteria which help the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) fight off any "bad" bacteria, viruses and fungi. Probiotics normally exist in the GIT but can become depleted in people with bowel disease. Probiotics help to maintain a healthier GIT flora and may help reduce symptoms. Try lactobacillus acidophilus
- Quercetin - helps to reduce inflammation and clotting
- Taurine - this semi-essential amino acid is beneficial in helping reduce the inflammation and thereby also reducing the recovery time from a bout of the disease
Dietary modifications
Changes to the diet can help reduce severity and duration of some symptoms:
- Avoid refined sugar - any type of refined sugar (especially in processed "white" foods) can cause further intestinal irritation and should be avoided in the diet
- Drink organic cabbage juice - the juice of cabbage contains "substance U" which has proven ulcer healing properties and it can help to reduce the ulceration of the bowel (or rectum) mucosa and provide relief for symptoms, reducing their severity and duration
- Drink more water - fluids lost need to be replaced and so water is essential to help the bowel function properly, but try to use filtered water as most cities have fluorinated water supplies and the fluoride can irritate the bowel
- Eat foods high in mucopolysaccharides - foods such as tripe, oats, onions, aloe vera, slippery elm can help to reduce inflammation in the mucosa of the intestines due to their soothing mucilaginous properties
- Eat more protein - eat foods high in low fat protein, such as organic chicken and low fat red meat, but especially and mainly oily fish (salmon, mackerel, tuna, trout, sardines) which are high in omega 3 fatty acids (which help to reduce inflammation)
- Eat smaller meals - have about 5-6 smaller meals to put less stress on the digestive system (to digest and absorb the food), which is not functioning as well as it should be
- Limit dairy - dairy foods (milk, cheese, butter, cream, sour cream, ice cream) often contain carageenan a food additive added as a stabiliser which can cause intestinal irritation
Lifestyle modifications
Lifestyle modifications required are basically ones which help the body relax, which in turn helps the intestinal tract to calm down too:
- General relaxation - learn some relaxation therapy such as meditation, tai chi, or yoga to help calm the mind and help calm digestion too
- Rest - especially during an attack of the condition as this will help to reduce the severity of symptoms
- Slow down - take life at a slower pace. Always rushing around can have an adverse impact on digestion in general, but especially so in people with a digestive disorder
Alternative treatments
- Food sensitivities - get checked for food sensitivities and/or use an elimination diet to find any food intolerances or food allergies (especially for lactose intolerance or gluten intolerance)
Always ensure that you notify your medical practitioner of any supplements that you want to take - it may interfere with other medication or conditions you have. Confirm with your doctor it is safe to take BEFORE you try it.
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< 9: conventional treatment 11: living with crohn's disease > Last reviewed: 14 November 2008 || Last updated: 3 January 2009
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NOTE: Mega doses of any type of vitamin, mineral, amino acid or herbal supplement cannot cure illnesses and in fact can be very dangerous and produce toxic side effects and interfere with medicine you are taking. Always ensure you consult your doctor before taking any type of complementary supplements.
Disclaimer: This guide is not intended to be used for diagnostic or prescriptive purposes. For any treatment or diagnosis of illness, please see your doctor.
