info, Author at Inflammation Advisor

Break something? (Like a Bone) – You Have Natural Options to Help You Heal

October 23, 2015 by info Leave a Comment

One common health problem that most of us face over a lifetime is a broken bone. Kids fall off things, athletes of all ages break bones, and the elderly, especially those with osteoporosis (with loss of bone density), deal with bone fractures. What to do about them? Of course you should seek immediate medical help after any such event, including whatever the orthopedic surgeon has to offer. But then what? Are there any natural options to help speed healing along?

The possibilities – which you should always discuss first with your own doctor – include nutritional, herbal, and homeopathic options.

First, ask for a vitamin D blood test to check your levels. Millions of people in the US and worldwide are deficient in vitamin D (e.g., 32% of the population in the US), a necessary natural steroid hormone-like vitamin that we all need to get into a good level to keep bones strong and to help them heal. The recommended form of vitamin D is D3 (cholecalciferol). This versatile vitamin has many other functions in the body – some research suggests that it can lessen risk for certain types of infections like the flu, reduce risks for cancers and perhaps some types of heart disease.

Optimal vitamin D blood levels to aim for are claimed to run 50-70 ng/ml. Some doctors suggest levels closer to 70-80 ng/ml. You don’t risk toxicity from this fat-soluble vitamin until the level runs over 100 ng/ml. While your skin can make some vitamin D, cloudy weather, modern indoor lifestyles and sunscreen lotions make it very hard to make enough on your own.

Recommended daily doses for adults run around 800 IU/day, but many experts report that their patients can need 2000-5000 IU/day to achieve the desired blood levels. Since y0u can monitor the level with simple blood tests, it is worth taking what your individual body might need and re-checking periodically. Be aware that many people may also need vitamin K2 to direct the calcium that they take for bone healing into the bones rather than into the arteries of the cardiovascular system.

A good multivitamin is essential – including B complex vitamins and vitamin C. Be aware that adequate doses of good old vitamin C help you repair collagen, which will help connective tissue recover and do what you need to hold things in place. To help with inflammation, consider omega-3 fatty acids, quercetin, and enzymes such as bromelain.

Obviously take enough calcium (citrate form may be better absorbed, but hydroxyapatite is a great source of calcium and phosphorus needed for making new bone) to provide your bones with necessary building blocks (e.g., 1000 mg/day), along with magnesium in the widely-used ratio of 2 parts calcium to 1 part magnesium (sometimes the glycinate form is less rough on the GI tract), along with trace minerals like silicon. You can usually find products to support bone health nutrition in your local health food stores.

Make sure that your protein intake is good. To heal a fracture, you can need a 10-20 gram/day increase in the amount of protein that you eat. If necessary, supplement with protein powders or liquids. You need proteins to keep muscles strong, but poorer protein status at the time of a fracture can slow down the bone healing process and leave you susceptible to complications.

In the meantime, you broke a bone. How to help bring down tissue swelling and encourage the bone to knit together well (and as fast as possible). Homeopathic remedies may help. While the research on homeopathic Arnica montana is mixed, some people report significant benefit from the remedy for the soft tissue bruising, swelling, and pain. Positive studies have emerged from the plastic surgery research literature, but not for every type of surgery.

For bone fractures in specific, remedies that homeopaths often recommend including Symphytum officinale (e.g., 6C to 30C potencies), Calcarea Phosphorica in lower potencies (e.g. 3X, 6X, etc), and sometimes Eupatorium perfoliatum 30C (Boneset) for severe bone pain. There is a research basis for recommending some of these remedies, especially the Symphytum, for bone healing.

Keeping Up with Your New Year’s Resolutions

January 5, 2015 by info Leave a Comment

OK, so you want to keep up with your New Year’s resolutions. Now what? For most of us, resolutions are hard to keep. They are good intentions – but not made with specific follow through plans. If you’re looking for a diet New Year’s resolution you will want to keep, consider these 7 top resolutions for a new year…

#1 Resolve to stop drinking soda, sweetened juices, and sugary drinks

So many people around the world drink their calories. This sugar is hard on your health. It adds unnecessary weight and it affects blood sugar levels. Resolve to eliminate soda and sugary drinks from your diet. You may be able to eliminate several hundred calories a day from this simple adjustment.

#2 Resolve to eat fruits and vegetables with every meal and snack

If you add a fruit or a vegetable to every meal and snack, you’re much closer to meeting your daily requirement. It’s not as difficult as you might think. You can have fruits or veggies for your snacks. Add an apple or berries to your breakfast. A smoothie can have as many as three servings of fruit or vegetables. Sneak in some spinach or kale in your smoothie with the fruits.

Add greens to lunch and dinner and you’re well on your way to getting the nutrients your body needs each day.

#3 Resolve to try a new fruit or vegetable each month

Scientists have found that people who eat a variety of fruits and vegetables are healthier. Many people become stuck in a rut with their fruits and vegetables. When you add a new one to your diet each month, you’re broadening your nutritional horizons.

#4 Resolve to switch to whole grain bread

Swap your white bread for whole grain bread, possibly a gluten-free bread (brown rice, millet, corn based). This is an easy change to make and it’ll add more healthy whole grains to your diet. You can amplify this whole grain change and switch to steel cut oats and brown rice instead of instant oatmeal and white rice. Little changes make a big difference.

#5 Resolve to eat fewer sweets

If you’re like many people you probably have several sugary snacks each day. Resolve to cut back. That may begin by tracking how many snacks you normally eat each day. Cut back to one snack each day or one sugary snack or dessert each week.

#6 Resolve to drink a glass of green tea each day

Green tea has been shown to provide fantastic health benefits. Add a glass of green tea to your day. Drink it in the morning or have a glass in the afternoon. If you’re sensitive to caffeine then don’t drink it in the evening. Green tea does have a small amount of caffeine. Or get decaf green tea and give it a chance.

#7 Resolve to stop eating in the evenings

People often make poor eating decisions in the evening. Drink a glass of water. Find something interesting to do to distract yourself. If you must eat due to hunger, then eat something high in fiber like a banana or whole grain cereal.

As you’re looking forward to your New Year and contemplating resolutions, be specific. Help yourself achieve success by setting specific goals designed to help you lose weight and get healthier. Then fill in specific plans on how to keep those resolutions.

Pain Relief from Meditation

July 15, 2014 by info Leave a Comment

Would you like to get pain relief without the side effects from medication? You can, with a simple meditation practice.

Scientists have been studying Zen monks to learn how meditation helps them cope with both chronic and occasional pain. While some of their accomplishments depend on their faith, many of their techniques can be used by anyone. Whether or not you already have a meditation practice, the suggestions below can help you get relief from pain.

Tools for Meditation

Appreciate the mind-body connection. There’s a growing understanding that our health depends on a wide range of factors. Our mind and body interact closely. The pain we experience due to physical conditions such as arthritis also affects us emotionally.
Reduce apprehension. Your reaction to pain can become exaggerated if you anticipate that it’s going to occur. Fear of pain is a good thing when it helps you avoid dangerous situations. It’s less helpful if you dwell on how your back will keep hurting. Mindfulness meditation helps you live in the present moment and take a break from worries about the future.
Manage anxiety. Studies show that experienced meditators feel pain but experience less emotional impact. Even beginners can use meditation as a useful distraction. With practice, you can become more skilled at noticing the affected body part but declining to get upset about it. You may be able to notice the sensation of pain without judging it as unpleasant.
Fight depression. Depression is known to make pain worse. When meditation helps you to feel happier and more peaceful, it’s also giving you greater protection from all kinds of afflictions.
Loosen up. Many people feel some tension around an injured body part. If you’re nursing a stiff neck, you can focus on relaxing the area and opening it up. Imagine that your breath is flowing across the muscles, where it warms and heals them.
Engage the pain. Pain may command all of your attention when it becomes severe. In such cases, trying to resist it may just make things worse. Some patients find relief by taking an active role in rating the relative intensity of their symptoms or observing how they increase and decrease over time.
Get an early start. It’s a lot more challenging to learn to meditate when you’re in the middle of recovering from back surgery. By starting your practice in advance, you’ll be better prepared to cope with medical issues or the common aches that come with aging.

When You’re Not In Meditation

Understand the relevance of meditation breaks: You’ll probably spend most of your life away from the meditation cushion. By learning to access the states of mind you attain while meditating, you can take advantage of those benefits anytime you want.
Use pain as a cue. Even if you need to keep working when a headache hits, you can guide yourself with constructive reminders about how to deal with it. Use everyday discomforts to check in with yourself and see if anxiety and apprehension are building up.
Guard against depression. Depression can strike anybody, but you can lower your risks. A healthy lifestyle and positive attitude can make it easier to stay on track.
Reduce other sources of stress. Living with chronic pain can take a heavy emotional toll. If possible, build a strong support network and avoid taking on too many obligations.
Talk with your doctor. If symptoms of pain continue, talk with your doctor about other available methods of treatment. Fortunately, meditation can be used to complement conventional approaches.

Meditation is an affordable and effective method for treating physical and emotional suffering without harmful side effects. Your skills will improve with practice so you can spend less time worrying about pain and more time enjoying life.

5 Natural Anti Inflammatory Supplements You Should Take

July 8, 2014 by info Leave a Comment

Unless you are blessed with the most remarkable genes and a lifelong supportive healthy environment, you probably can benefit from these 5 natural anti inflammatory supplements with anti inflammatory benefits. These can offset genetic vulnerabilities and environmental challenges (not just social and psychological, but also physical, chemical, and biological stressors) that can otherwise actualize disease potential into real diseases.

Here are 5 important items that are not enough, but they are a great start:

1. Multivitamin/Multimineral supplement: Especially with the epidemic of type 2 diabetes in our modern population, a good MVI can cut the risk of infections. This just helps replace some of the nutrients lost in the urine from the high blood sugar effects.

2. Magnesium: Most of us do not get enough in our daily diet. Low or marginal magnesium is a problem for people prone to muscle cramping and spasms, insomnia, anxiety, and even some heart arrhythmias. Ask your doctor for a red blood cell magnesium level test, not just a serum test.

3. Vitamin D3: Most of us do not make enough or eat enough vitamin D in our daily outdoor activities (you need skin exposure without sun blocks) or diet. Low vitamin D has been linked in population studies to a wide range of health problem risks, from certain cancers to type 1 autoimmune diabetes to high blood pressure to osteoporosis to even autism. Demand a blood test for vitamin D levels. Just assuming that you are taking enough is risky – absorption varies a lot, especially if you have any condition that impairs gut function. And recheck the level after a couple of months if you change your diet, add medications or other supplements.

4. Probiotics: A growing amount of research tells us that the gut is a major player in immune system health. Mess up the flora of your gut with poor diet and/or antibiotics, and you are more likely to get all sorts of immune-system related problems. These conditions include autoimmune disorders like arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and Crohns disease, and cancers.

5. Fish oils: Omega 3 fatty acids from fatty fish like wild salmon, sardines, mackerel, anchovies, and others have powerful anti inflammatory effects. They can help your gut heal and support the benefits of the probiotics that you take. If you hate fish or can’t find a tolerable liquid or capsule form of fish oil or are a strict type of vegetarian, then at least use flax oil supplements. Omega 3 intake may help stabilize mood in higher doses for people susceptible to bipolar disorder or certain depressions.

Always give a nutritional program about 3 months to decide if it is helping you. Nutrients are not drugs, and they take time to repair your body rather than just suppressing symptoms the way drugs usually work. And, when available, get blood or other specialized tests to know if your supplements are doing a good job. Not taking enough and then deciding they don’t help is a waste of time and money. Taking too much is also dangerous – so work with a knowledgeable doctor to sort this out for your unique situation.

Want more? Check out the Inflammation Advisor’s book Inflammation 101 here. And pick up a copy of our popular anti inflammatory recipe book while you’re at it – get your copy of our companion book – Eating Clean Recipes for Inflammation.

Very Healthy Recipe – Asparagus Salad

Protecting the Heart of the Mediterranean Diet – Olive Oil Tips

July 6, 2014 by info Leave a Comment

At the heart of the Mediterranean Diet you will find olive oil for reducing inflammation naturally. This is one of the healthier oils. But what protects this natural product from things can can damage its value in your diet?

A high-quality extra virgin olive oil is a must-have staple in many kitchens, partly because its delicious flavor and versatile nature allow it to be used in countless ways. For starters, extra virgin olive oil is perfect in homemade salad dressings, on roasted vegetables and as a key ingredient in a wide range of recipes.

In addition to tasting great, olive oil is also good for you. Naturally low in saturated fat, it is a healthy alternative to butter, margarine and many other oils. Versatility, great taste and a healthy profile make it easy to see why many cooks and chefs always have a bottle close at hand.

What many people do not realize about olive oil, however, is that it is actually a perishable fruit juice with some finicky preferences. This mean proper care and precautions must be taken in order to keep your olive tasting and smelling the way it should.

4 Natural Challenges for Olive Oil

1. Time. Because it is a perishable fruit juice, olive does not have an unlimited shelf life. Try to choose bottles with a clearly marked “harvest date” and make sure that date occurred within the last 18 months to 2 years. It is also recommended that you only buy as much olive oil as you can use within 15 – 30 days of opening.

2. Temperature. Heat will cause olive oil to degrade quickly. Therefore, do not store your olive oil near your oven or cooktop because the higher ambient heat in those areas will cause it to break down faster.

3. Oxygen. Like a fine wine, exposure to oxygen for any length of time will cause your olive oil to turn rancid. To prevent this, store your olive oil in an airtight container with the lid securely fasten whenever it is not in use.

4. Light. Exposure to light will also cause olive oil to degrade more quickly. Avoid storing your olive in clear bottles or out on your counter tops. Dark green bottles are the best for blocking out sunlight, but other dark bottles will also work. Storing bottles inside a cabinet when not in use can also prolong the life of your olive oil. A cool, dark place is your best bet to prolong the life of your oil.

Avoiding these four natural challenges for olive oil will keep it fresh and full of flavor for a longer period of time. With a little bit of effort, you can preserve the delicious natural flavors of your quality olive oils — and promote your health.

What Are the Symptoms of Celiac Disease?

June 14, 2014 by info Leave a Comment

What are the symptoms of celiac disease? There is more than one type of gluten intolerance condition out there. Celiac disease is one major type of gluten intolerance. The problem is that if you one, it may not be so easy to diagnose. Let’s take celiac disease for instance. Those who are diagnosed with it may have been labeled with something else at first.

What is Celiac Disease?

Celiac disease is a condition of the digestive system that occurs when certain people eat foods containing the protein, gluten. Gluten can be found in certain grains: rye, barley, wheat and triticale (a wheat-rye blend). Often called celiac sprue or gluten-sensitive enteropathy, it is an abnormal response of the immune system when this protein is present. In the presence of gluten, the immune system attacks the intestine.

This occurs in the small intestine. Here, food that is broken down into its nutrient components are absorbed and then transferred to the bloodstream. The lining of the small intestine are covered with fingerlike projections called villi. They increase the surface area. When gluten is present in someone with celiac disease, the villi become flat, decreasing the surface area and damaging the intestines. This affects absorption of nutrients.

The lack of absorption impacts the entire body. In children, lack of nutrients can create a “failure to thrive” situation causing rickets (osteomalacia) and anemia. Children often exhibit these celiac-disease symptoms as soon as they are introduced to cereals. In adults, symptoms of celiac disease can include abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, vomiting, and constipation and foul-odor stools. Vomiting is more common in children.

The Problem with Celiac Disease Diagnosis

Celiac disease, like other digestive conditions, is hard to nail down. The symptoms common to celiac disease can be attributed to several other conditions within the digestive ailment spectrum. To make matters worse, some adults are asymptomatic. This makes diagnosis a challenge even though the small intestines are still being damaged by the body’s immune response.

Celiac disease is often mistaken for irritable bowel syndome (IBS) or even Crohn’s disease. IBS doesn’t cause damage to the intestines but that can only be proven through biopsy and endoscopy. Crohn’s disease can occur in any area of the digestive tract. There is a form of celiac disease called refractory sprue in which symptoms disappear when gluten clears the system but return even on in a gluten-free environment.

To get the correct diagnosis if you suspect celiac disease, check your family history. Certain genes can contribute to this condition. Of course, you can usually not experience symptoms if you avoid all forms of gluten. A “low gluten” diet is not going to be good enough if your sensitivity is higher. Complete avoidance becomes necessary. If someone in your immediate biological family has it, chances are you could be expressing that gene. Ask for an antibody test. Two antibodies will show up in blood work: Immunoglobulin A anti-tissue transglutaminase and Immunoglobulin A antiendomysial. An endoscopic procedure of the upper GI tract can confirm through biopsy of the small intestine as well as visual evidence. If your doctor does not know about gluten intolerance or celiac disease blood tests, you can get them done on your own here.

Misdiagnosis or lack of treatment can lead to more pain until you get the right program going. Once you do, give it a few weeks for the gut to repair itself. One fairly safe way to boost the healing process (unless you have a problem with sodium retention or severe high blood pressure) is DGL licorice. This form of licorice has had most of the ingredient that can raise sodium levels and blood pressure removed. But, DGL is amazing in its ability to heal the mucous membranes of the gut. You can get it here. Another product with a special form of aloe and other ingredients is Digestinol, available at this site.

And, if you are looking for a gluten free online store, Katz Gluten Free is a great site where you can discover tasty options.

Ulcerative Colitis and Probiotics

May 9, 2014 by info Leave a Comment

Inflammatory bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis have no known cures – but probiotics are fast becoming a natural remedy treatment option with a great deal of promise. Researchers have been studying probiotics, the “good” bacteria in the gut, for years. Could they help change the future for those suffering from IBD conditions like ulcerative colitis?

What are Probiotics?

Probiotics are organisms like bacteria and also yeast that are used to promote good health. Have you ever eaten yogurt? Well, if you read the label, it will tell you that it contains “live cultures.” You might not know what those are but still not be keen on eating anything that might still be alive inside you. It might interest you to also know that the human body is alive with many such small organisms. Bacteria naturally live inside the body where they thrive and help with day-to-day functions, especially regulating your immune and inflammatory system.

These bacteria belong here. There are almost 500 different types residing and working inside of you like a little community. Many make their home in the intestinal tract, fueling absorption of vital nutrients, protecting the integrity of the tract and moving waste along to its excretion point. They all have a job to do and that is to create a delicate balance that keeps the immune system working as it should.

This balance is interrupted when a disease process occurs like an infection. The immune system kicks in to fight the bacterial or viral invaders and restore balance. When you have a fever brought on by this infection, antibiotics are taken to kill them off. Unfortunately, it can kill off the good bacteria too, creating an imbalance in your body. With an inflammatory bowel disease, damage to the intestines could be the catalyst for the abnormal response that results in the inflammation.

Probiotics are designed to challenge the immune system and make it stronger. In the age of “superbugs”, our immune systems can’t seem to cope since we have basically sanitized everything. The friendly bacteria in probiotic formulas may help reduce the incidence of some symptoms like diarrhea. They assist in the breakdown of food as well.

The Connection between Probiotics and IBD

From what we’ve reported above, research shows promising evidence that the introduction of more helpful and friendly bacteria into the body, into the digestive tract, may be a positive approach to treatment for ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. It can help combat the disease process.

One of the best known probiotic products to consider is called VSL #3. Odd name, but a high potency therapeutic product with a very high number of the beneficial bacteria. Certain doctors prescribe this (though you can get it over-the-counter) to help their patients with ulcerative colitis and other inflammatory bowel disorders. Like most of the better products, you will find a mixture of multiple types of bacteria, not just one or two. You will also find high numbers of each one. And, to be on the safe side, many manufacturers ship their probiotic products with cool packs to keep the bacteria alive.

Dead probiotic bacteria don’t really help you much. For that reason, as soon as you get a bottle of probiotics, you will want to refrigerate them (but NOT freeze them).

There is a word of caution here. While people have been eating bacteria in yogurt and cheese and other food for many, many years, the game is changed with you throw in a condition like inflammatory bowel disease. The immune system may be compromised or weakened by treatment drugs or the severity of the disease. Adding more bacteria in the form of probiotics at this point might do more harm than good in some people. However, most people with ulcerative colitis are likely to notice some benefit with the right probiotic supplement for them.

As always consult your doctor before trying any alternative treatments while under their care. Discuss your options and make an informed choice.

Benefits of a Gluten Free Diet

May 9, 2014 by info Leave a Comment

When it comes to eating a healthy diet, the latest buzz has been over the benefits of a gluten free diet plan. This trend has caught on with the public as a fad, but this one has real implications for people who have been diagnosed with celiac disease or other non-celiac gluten intolerance problems. Gluten avoidance may also be the first step toward finding the specific set of foods that trigger your particular chronic symptoms to flare.

So, it can make the difference between health and a lifetime of pain and serious illness. Lots of gluten free recipe books can help you get started. You can have delicious wheat free meals with just a few easy steps. You can even find gluten free food online at sites like the Gluten Free Mall.

Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is a lifelong condition. It is believed that certain genes cause this condition to manifest itself in children and adults alike. In the presence of gluten, a protein found in certain grains, an abnormal immune response causes damage to the small intestine. The absorption of vital nutrients, vitamins and minerals occurs here. This process is impeded when the surface area (small projections called villi) are destroyed.

Doctors have several kinds of tests that they can run to known if you have celiac disease per se. These tests include a type of blood test for anti-gluten protein antibodies. Another more invasive test is to do an endoscopy to look at the state of the villi in the small intestine – and even do a biopsy.

Still, some people have other reasons for adverse reactions to wheat or rye or barley. In the end, an elimination diet is the final test of whether or not this approach can help you.

In most cases, when gluten is removed from the body, this immune response does not occur and the small intestine functions as normal. The problem is discovering that gluten is the culprit in the first place. To get support and even more information, the Celiac Disease Foundation is an excellent resource.

Benefits of the Gluten-Free Diet

What is a gluten-free diet? Essentially it is removing all traces of the gluten protein from the body. Gluten is found in wheat, barley, rye and triticale (a cross between wheat and rye). For those of us who are big bread and pasta eaters, this can be the biggest struggle, especially if you are an asymptomatic celiac disease sufferer.

For people who suffer abdominal pain, vomiting, constipation, anemia and other symptoms of celiac disease, the immediate benefit of a gluten-free diet is relief. Removing all gluten will gradually health your system and help stop the symptoms (in most cases).

It may take several months for the intestines to recover from damage depending on how long the disease process was present. But, it will return to normal when further injury is prevented.

A word of caution for celiac disease sufferers: Gluten can hide in plain sight under assumed names on food labels. Become acquainted with the aliases it uses so that you are not reintroducing this dangerous protein into your diet. Two common names are: hydrolyzed vegetable protein and malt.

Be aware that food companies in the US are adding information to their nutrition labels that will tell you if a food that could be gluten free is made in a manufacturing plant where wheat is also processed. This is important for highly sensitive people who must avoid every trace of the offending foods or risk continued gluten-related health problems.

Other benefits include:

Eating dairy again – Many sufferers are misdiagnosed with having a lactose intolerance. The damage done to the intestines as a result of gluten makes it harder to digest dairy products. Once the intestines have healed, introducing dairy again might be possible.
Fewer processed foods – Breaded foods might be hiding gluten in the batter. Avoiding anything like this reduces the amount of bad fats and trans fats in your diet. Include traditionally made cakes, pies and cookies in this category.
Increased energy – For sufferers, lack of proper absorption of nutrients leads to weight loss, vitamin deficiencies and anemia, all of which can sap your energy even if you are eating a healthy diet.
Reduced inflammation – The inflammatory process can cause skin rashes, joint pain and muscle cramps. Eating foods that don’t contain gluten like berries, olive oil, fatty fishes and green veggies also can reduce inflammation in the body. If you want the whole scoop on diet, supplements, mind-body methods, and holistic therapies to overcome inflammation in the body, check out our complete program here.

Eating a gluten free diet might be a fad for some folks but it can mean a much better quality of life and health to those suffering from celiac disease and other gluten intolerance conditions. Talk to your doctor or nutritionist and see if this might be right for you.

Is there a difference between Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

May 6, 2014 by info Leave a Comment

Is there a difference between inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome? You may have heard both of these terms used interchangeably before – inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The truth is that these are two very different conditions. To answer the question in the title, yes, there is a difference between the two and if you keep reading, you will find out what that is.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Let’s begin with the easier condition to explain. Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS for short, is actually the name given for a group of symptoms that involve the intestinal area of the digestive tract. Common symptoms of IBS include: constipation, cramping in the abdominal area (your belly), bloating, belly pain and diarrhea. As a person with IBS, you may exhibit all or some of these symptoms. They may go on for several months at a time.

The cause of IBS is not known. Certain foods, stress or other lifestyle choices may exacerbate your symptoms but not a lot is known about what bothers the intestinal area in the first place. It is speculated that the fault may lie in the processing of the signals sent from the brain to your small and large intestines. Because the condition mostly occurs in women, hormonal changes might be another potential culprit. The only mainstream medical cure is to treat the symptoms with drugs. In integrative medicine, however, there are a number of different treatment options, including but not limited to a personalized food intolerance/allergy avoidance program, acupuncture, and melatonin.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

The name alone gives a clue as to what separates these two digestive conditions. With inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, the intestinal area actually exhibits an inflammatory process in response to certain triggers. Symptoms may include: diarrhea, bloody stools, joint pain, skin issues, fever, loss of appetite, weight loss, and severe pain in the abdomen (the area below your stomach where your intestines are located).

Inside your body, the intestines (large and/or small) show changes as well. The area affected can become red, swollen, and subject to strictures from scar tissue, ulcers and fistulas (abnormal opening between two body structures). There are two kinds of inflammatory bowel disease that are most often talked about: Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

Ulcerative colitis often affects the innermost layer of the intestinal wall, the area closest to the bowel that travels through it. Crohn’s disease can affect deep inner layers of tissue as well in the intestines, particularly the ileum – the last part of the small intestine and the beginning of the large intestine. Also with Crohn’s disease, any area of the digestive tract from the mouth to the anus is subject to be affected.

These are serious conditions, and you need medical evaluation and treatment. Still, there are more benign integrative treatments possible, including but not limited to high dose probiotic and prebiotic supplements.

On the surface, it may seem like both conditions are similar. Your physician may use the same tests to diagnose your condition. With most symptoms that pertain to the intestinal area, the doctor will want to rule out any even more serious condition first before looking into IBS or IBD. Either of these conditions may affect your life in major ways as long as the symptoms continue.

Foods that Help Inflammation – Overcoming Irritable Bowel Syndrome

May 4, 2014 by info Leave a Comment

Yes, there are foods that help inflammation and can help you in overcoming irritable bowel syndrome or IBS. As you well know, IBS is a chronic gastrointestinal condition with abdominal pain and diarrhea or constipation. The inflammation may not be as obvious as it is in other GI disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, but there is obviously significant dysfunction. The gut is not working correctly. If you have IBS, you may also suffer from migraine headaches, fibromyalgia, or temporomandibular joint disorder.

Here is a basic 1-2-3 punch to fight IBS and any associated inflammation and dysfunction:

1. Hidden food allergies, intolerance, sensitivities and addictions – Foods May Be the Answer to Your Question of What Causes Irritable Bowel

Is there some common thread or threads that can help you find answers? One of those common threads is a kind of delayed food allergy or sensitivity that plays a role in IBS and other conditions. Are some foods more likely culprits? Maybe.

What are the most common food allergies? In modern societies, foods like wheat, yeast, milk and other dairy products, corn, eggs, beef, and white potato may be offending foods. Sometimes chicken, fish, or shellfish can be an issue.

The bottom line is that you need to test and find the unique set of offending foods that set off your symptoms. Once you find them, you will find that total elimination from the diet for at least 3 months is the best way to decide if they were contributing to the problem.

Many people with these types of food allergies have IgG antibodies to the various foods that are problematic. They may or may not pick up the specific mechanisms in your body that are set off by your problem foods. Alternatively, you can get blood tests for food intolerances or for IgG food allergies, even without your doctor’s order.

Research suggests that these types of IgG or food intolerance blood tests are a useful starting place (Guo et al J Int Med Res 2012; 40(1):204-10; Aydinlar et al 2013 Headache 53(3):514-25). The real test for you is to eliminate the foods for several weeks or longer – and it is usually a lot more than one food – for enough time to give your body a chance to heal. This is the ultimate drug-free solution. For people with even more complex health problems that include IBS, fibromyalgia, or other tough chronic conditions, you may want to take a look at more comprehensive specialized testing from labs that know about what to test for body biochemistry problems.

2. Anti-inflammatory foods and supplements – omega 3 fatty acids, prebiotics, and probiotics

Are there foods that help inflammation that might accelerate the recovery?

If you are not having adverse reactions to foods like fatty fish, eating wild salmon, sardines, mackerel or other fatty fish may help with their anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids. Or, take fish oil capsules if you don’t like to eat fish.

You may not be able to eat yogurt if you are milk-sensitive, but perhaps you can take good bacteria — that is, probiotic supplements. In children, one study found that an gut imbalance in intestinal microflora was associated with regular IgE types of allergies. In short, the researchers found too many lactobacilli/enterococci and not enough bifidobacteria (Gut 2002; 51(1):51-5). One lesson from this study is that “probiotics” is a big general label for good gut bacteria. But, as with many other things in the body, you need the right balance. That would be where a skilled physician with special expertise in functional medicine might be able to help you a lot. They can order specialized tests of your stools and then select from a wide range of possible products to choose the right probiotic bacteria for your situation.

Prebiotics are indigestible fiber-containing foods like oligofructose or inulin. In foods, you can get this type of fiber from apple skin, bananas, beans, onions or garlic, chicory root and more. Of course, just because a food potentially has food fiber in it does not mean that it is going to be something you tolerate…or that you can get enough of. For that reason, you want to make sure you include tolerated fiber sources as a general part of your healthy anti inflammatory diet plan. But you may even need to consider supplements of prebiotic fiber as well.

3. Melatonin and other regulatory supplements

Wondering what else to take for IBS? Taking any hormone should be a carefully considered decision between you and your own doctor, including melatonin. Many over the counter supplements give you a lot more per dose than the body would naturally make, even if everything were working well. However, recent research suggests that taking melatonin in 3 mg bedtime doses may help lessen abdominal pain in IBS (Siah et al 2014; World J Gatroenterol 20(10):2492-8). So, with consultation with your doctor this may be another option. A good bonus is that this may help you sleep better if you are having trouble with insomnia.

The main point to remember is that you can do something to help yourself with IBS and other symptoms. Get started today!

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