Controlling Inflammatory Bowel Disease using Diet not Drugs

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Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBDs), which include both Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), are complex autoimmune diseases of the digestive system. As discussed in previous articles, the evidence base suggests that autoimmunity is caused by a combination of genetics, environmental challenges (diet, toxic load, stress, viral and bacterial load) and imbalances in the balance of the bacterial species of the gut (dysbiosis). The standard medical approach to managing IBDs is to suppress the immune system using steroids or anti-inflammatories, which can not only increase the risk of infections but may often also deplete vital nutrients from the body. Response rates to these medications are also often sub optimal.

The standard Western diet is both high in refined carbohydrates, rancid fats and low in fibre and nutrients. The Autoimmune Paleo (AIP) protocol (a more restricted form of the Paleo approach) often used as the basis of a dietary intervention to help clients with autoimmunity regain control of their health; temporarily eliminates gluten, grains, dairy, nuts and seeds, legumes, nightshades, eggs, food additives, sugar, tea, coffee and alcohol. The focus is on providing the body with nutrient dense whole foods, consisting of fish/meats, fruits, vegetables, herbal teas, meat stocks, bone broths and water. The rationale is to remove the foods that can often trigger inflammation. It is also important to include other life style modifications, as part of the overall strategy, including stress and toxic load reduction and appropriate forms of exercise.

The results of a small study published in the journal of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases 2017 called ‘Efficacy of the Autoimmune Protocol Diet for Inflammatory Bowel Disease’, tracked the progress of 15 patients with active IBD, that had been living with this condition for an average of 19 years. Half of the participants were actively using prescribed medications.

The results of this study were remarkable – ‘clinical remission was achieved at week 6, by 11 out of 15 (73%) of the study participants’. The study then goes on to say that ‘remission by week 6, rivals that of most drug therapies for IBD’, without of course the side effects.

Clinically I have experienced a significant proportion of clients with IBD regain control using a personalised dietary and supplementation approach. It is extremely reassuring to see such an unusual study validate this approach.

 

 

 

We are not what we eat, we are what we absorb

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When cells malfunction we ultimately present with disease. Nature does not label/define cell malfunction into various disease types such as arthritis/depression/cancer or cardio vascular disease; we do that. ‘There are no specific diseases; there are specific disease conditions.’ – Florence Nightingale. So why do cells malfunction? Cells, the building blocks of our body, all 36 trillion of them, malfunction for only a few key reasons. Arguably one of the most important of these reasons is lack of optimal cellular nutrition.

The biochemistry that is going on in all of us is unimaginably complex. Our cells are performing trillions of chemical reactions every second. So far we have discovered that the body requires access to over 250 individual nutrients for optimal cellular health (there will inevitably be more as our knowledge progresses). Even if genes are playing a part in the disease process, whether those genes become activated or not is intricately linked to nutrient triggers – nutrients can literally switch genes on and off. Medications cannot do that. This is the science of the rapidly expanding field of nutrigenomics.

Yes, to a certain extent we are what we eat, but to be more precise we are what we absorb! Nutrient absorption is fundamental to the whole process of optimal cellular health. It is normal to see clients presenting with multiple signs and symptoms of low nutrient status, even when eating what they would describe as a ‘healthy diet’. These include, fingernails that chip/break easily and have white spots, muscle cramps, cuts that heal slowly, decreased sense of taste/smell and bleeding gums.

Optimal absorption is dependent on optimal digestive system function. The whole system has to be in balance. Not only do we need to be in a relaxed state and consuming nutrient dense foods (however that on its own is becoming more and more difficult to do as we deplete our soils through relentless monoculture farming), but we also require sufficient stomach acid, bile flow and digestive enzyme status; a diverse and balanced micro ecology of the gut, optimal health of the small intestine (which can be damaged by the presence of coeliac disease, non coeliac gluten/wheat sensitivities) and the absence of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).

This is why when working with any client, no matter what their health condition, it is wise to start with a thorough evaluation of digestive health.