Understanding and Managing Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis
Hello everyone, and welcome to our November blog! As we approach Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis Awareness Week (December 1st to 7th), this month, we’re focusing on Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), a topic close to the hearts of many in our community. IBD is an umbrella term mainly used to describe two long-term conditions that cause inflammation in the gut: Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis (UC).
These conditions can be challenging, but gaining knowledge about them is a powerful step towards better management and overall well-being. Let’s dive into what makes these conditions unique and, most importantly, how we can support our bodies through diet and lifestyle.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Understanding the Differences
While both are types of IBD, Crohn’s and UC have distinct characteristics:
| Feature | Crohn’s Disease | Ulcerative Colitis (UC) |
| Location of Inflammation | Can involve the entire GI tract, from the mouth right down to the anus. | Is restricted just to the colon(large intestine). |
| Pattern of Inflammation | Characterised by “skip lesions”, healthy parts of the intestine mixed between inflamed areas. | Involves continuous inflammation of the colon. |
Understanding these differences is key, but what they share is the significant impact on quality of life, often due to periods of good health alternating with periods of relapse or “flare-ups”.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Understanding the Differences
Symptoms can change over time, but during a flare-up, they often include:
- Diarrhoea: This can be mixed with blood, mucus, and/or pus.
- Severe Cramping: Often occurring before passing a stool.
- General Malaise: Feeling feverish and generally unwell.
- Mouth Ulcers
- Anaemia: Due to blood loss and/or poor nutrient absorption.
- Tiredness and Fatigue: A complex symptom stemming from the illness itself, anaemia, and sometimes medication side-effects.
- Loss of Appetite and Weight Loss: Inflammation in the gut means your body isn’t absorbing nutrients effectively.
- Extraintestinal Manifestations: These can include joint pain and inflammation and eye inflammation, affecting the tissue covering the sclera (the white outer coating of the eye), making it red, sore, and inflamed.
The Underlying Picture: Possible Causes
The exact cause of IBD is still being researched, but it’s believed to be a combination of factors that trigger an inappropriate immune response, including:
- Genetics
- A “Leaky Gut” which can trigger an autoimmune response.
- Dysbiosis: An imbalance of the micro-biome within the gut, often related to food poisoning, parasites, or bacterial overgrowth.
- Overuse of Antibiotics
- An Inflammatory Diet: High in dairy, sugar, processed, or junk food.
- Stress and Smoking
- A pre-existing Autoimmune Disease or Toxic Load on the body.
Fuelling Wellness: Dietary and Lifestyle Support
Taking control of your diet and lifestyle can be profoundly helpful in managing IBD and reducing the risk of complications, such as the increased risk of colorectal cancer associated with UC.
Foods and Supplements to Embrace
Focusing on easy-to-digest, anti-inflammatory, and supportive foods can make a big difference, particularly during times of inflammation:
- Easy Digestion: Smoothies and Soups are excellent because they require less work from your inflamed gut.
- Anti-Inflammatory Powerhouses: Include oily fish (like mackerel, sardine, salmon, and herring—high in Omega-3), walnuts, chia seeds, turmeric, ginger, and flaxseed. These can be supplemented with high-strength Omega-3 oil supplements.
- Gut Healing: Collagen powder and bone broth (homemade or high-quality store-bought) provide essential nutrients to support the gut lining.
- Hydration and Detox: Drink plenty of filtered water to flush your system. Apple cider vinegar can support stomach acid and better food breakdown.
- Natural Antibiotics: Garlic is a potent ally against harmful bacteria and gut infections.
- Essential Supplements:
- Probiotics (I always recommend Life bacteria) and Natural Digestive Enzymes to support a healthy micro-biome and digestion.
- Optimizing Vitamin D levels is crucial as it modulates the immune system.
- Increasing antioxidants, particularly Vitamin C, E, and A.
Lifestyle & Stress Management
Stress is a known trigger for flare-ups. Learning coping mechanisms that work for you is vital, especially during naturally stressful times, such as going through menopause.
What to Avoid: Inflammatory Triggers
When the gut is inflamed, it’s best to minimise known inflammatory foods and potential irritants:
- Inflammatory Foods:
- Gluten: Found in wheat, rye, and barley.
- Grains: Including buckwheat, oats, millet, rice, and quinoa.
- Dairy Products
- Excessive Red Meat (if you do eat red meat, try to choose grass-fed).
- Sugar and Processed Foods
- Drinks: Coffee, alcohol, and especially carbonated drinks with artificial sweeteners.
- Immune Stimulants: Be mindful of supplements or foods that might over-stimulate the immune system further and initiate a flare-up.