Drugs Aren't Enough for Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

The walls of a healthy colon are evenly coated with a protective layer called the mucosa. Viewed from the inside, this lining has a smooth surface that's a healthy shade of pink.
In people with inflammatory bowel disease, however, the tissue becomes inflamed and irritated. Sometimes, it bleeds, causing bloody diarrhea.

The conventional treatment for inflammatory bowel disease, which is thought to occur when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the intestine, is to give people powerful anti inflammatory drugs. If those drugs don't help, they may be given even stronger ones with more serious side effects. And when that doesn't work, the only recourse may be to surgically
remove the diseased part of the intestine.

"People may need prednisone and other anti-inflammatory drugs if a flare, or episode, of the disease is serious enough," says Patrick Donovan, N.D., a naturopathic physician in Seattle. "But once people are stable, there are more natural treatments that can reduce the inflammatory process without < the side effects of drugs."
Inflammatory bowel disease, which actually includes two conditions, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, is a serious condition that always requires professional care, Dr. Donovan : says. Still, he believes that there are a number of natural home treatments that, when used under the supervision of a physician, can help reduce discomfort and limit damage to the intestinal wall. Dr. Donovan suggests that you check with your doctor for specific information, such as dosage guidelines, before trying any of these remedies.

GLUTAMINE: Nourishing the Small Intestine
This amino acid is thought to "feed" the cells lining the small intestine. It can help correct the malabsorption of nutrients that can occur with Crohn's disease and also relieve symptoms, says Dr. Donovan.

BUTYRATE: Good for the Colon
This supplement contains cal-butyric acid, a compound tiiat is believed to help cells in the colon "regenerate and stay healthy," says Dr. Donovan. He recommends it for people who have colitis (inflammation of the colon). For maximum absorption, Dr. Donovan suggests a product called Cal-Mag Butyrate.

BOSWELLIA AND TURMERIC: More Help for Inflammation
Another way to reduce inflammation in the intestine is with the herbs boswellia and turmeric (which contains the active ingredient curcumin). "These are very strong anti-inflammatory herbs with minimal side effects," Dr. Donovan says. I le usually recommends a product called Marinecare, which also supplies extracts of sea cucumber.

VITAMIN E: Reining In Free Radicals
Inflammatory bowel disease unleashes torrents of free radicals, unstable oxygen molecules that cause additional damage to intestinal cells. Vitamin E helps neutralize free radicals and can help minimi/e the damage, says Dr. Donovan.

VITAMINS AND MINERALS: Prevent Malnutrition
One reason that inflammatory bowel disease, specifically Crohn's disease, is so serious is that the small intestine may lose its ability to absorb essential nutrients. Dr. Donovan believes that everyone with this condition should take a high-potency multivitamin/mineral supplement daily
Individual supplements may be necessary in addition to the multivitamin, Dr. Donovan adds. Vitamin A is thought to help regenerate the damaged lining of the gut. The same is true of folic acid, and a supplement is doubly important since some of the drugs used to treat this condition can reduce folic acid absorption. Zinc can help repair gut cells, and many people with inflammatory bowel disease are deficient in this mineral. Finally, since this disease may damage the area of the gut where vitamin BI3 is absorbed, a supplement is a must for many people.

IRON: Rattling Anemia
In his practice, Dr. Donovan finds that some people with Crohn's disease and most people with colitis have iron-deficiency anemia. The type of iron (ferrous sulfate) usually recommended for treating anemia, however, may worsen inflammation in people with inflammatory bowel disease, he says.
For his patients with anemia, Dr. Donovan recommends a supplement of territin, a nonirritating form of iron, as well as weekly injections of a liver compound that contains 40 milligrams of organic iron. (Ferritin supplements are available over the counter, but injections can be obtained only from your physician.)

LIQUID DIETS: Rest for Flare-Ups
Inflammatory bowel disease typically has both quiet and active periods. When the symptoms are flaring, Dr. Donovan recommends a liquid diet of herbal tea, high-protein broth (such as fish, chicken, or meat broth), and fresh vegetable juices. This allows the body to absorb essential nutrients without having to do the extra work of digesting solid foods, he says. You should use a liquid diet only under the supervision of your doctor, he adds.


FATTY ACIDS: Reduce Inflammation and the Risk of Cancer
People with inflammatory bowel disease may have a higher risk of colon cancer than those without the disease. The fatty acids in fish oils, which are found in supplements labeled EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), are thought to help inhibit chemical reactions in the body that produce inflammation, and they may reduce the risk of color, cancer as well.