DII 2

Ulcerative Colitis           

Also known as:  IBD;  Inflammatory Bowel Disease;  Irritable Bowel Disease;  Ulcerative Ileitis

Description

Ulcerative Colitis is a form of Colitis that is characterized by chronic Inflammation and ulceration of the lining of the Colon and Rectum.

Ulcerative Colitis generally commences in the Rectum or Sigmoid Colon and then spreads partially or completely through the Large Intestine.  It does NOT affect the Small Intestine.

It has been speculated that Ulcerative Colitis may be a type of Autoimmune Disease.

Topic Contents

            Natural Substances that Alleviate Ulcerative Colitis

            Foods/Herbs that Alleviate Ulcerative Colitis

            Causes of Ulcerative Colitis

            Symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis

            Further Ailments that Ulcerative Colitis can Cause

            Diagnosing Ulcerative Colitis

            Related Topics

Prevalence of Ulcerative Colitis

            Ulcerative Colitis occurs mainly in young women and is more prevalent in people of Jewish ancestry (there is an hereditary element to Ulcerative Colitis).

These Substances Alleviate Ulcerative Colitis

Alkaloids

            Nicotine (transdermal patches applied topically) can cause the symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis to go into remission.

Amino Acids

            Arginine alleviates many cases of Ulcerative Colitis (by promoting the healing of the Ulcers that occur in the Colon of Ulcerative Colitis patients).  research

            Glutamine (1,000 - 4,000 mg per day) alleviates the Diarrhea, abdominal Pain, weight loss and food Allergies associated with Ulcerative Colitis and lowers Lipopolysaccharide levels in Ulcerative Colitis patients.  research

Carbohydrates

            Acemannan alleviates the Inflammation of the Digestive Tract associated with Ulcerative Colitis (primarily due to the Acemannan content of Aloe vera).  research

            Glucosamine alleviates the symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis.  research

            Psyllium helps to maintain remission in Ulcerative Colitis patients.  peer-reviewed research

Enzymes

            Bromelain reduces the Inflammation associated with Ulcerative Colitis.  peer-reviewed research

Lipids

            Alpha-Linolenic Acid (LNA) reduces the Inflammation associated with Ulcerative Colitis.  research

            Butyric Acid (Sodium Butyrate form administered via enema) increases the synthesis of Mucin in the Colon in Ulcerative Colitis patients (Butyric Acid is the major Fatty Acid fuel source for the Cells that line the Colon).  research

            Caprylic Acid is a useful therapy for Ulcerative Colitis.  research

            Cetyl Myristoleate (CMO) alleviates the Inflammation associated with Ulcerative Colitis.

            Medium-Chain Triglycerides (MCTs) improve the condition of Ulcerative Colitis patients.

Microorganisms

            Mixed Beneficial Bacteria is a useful treatment for Ulcerative Colitis, causing remissions in many patients.  research

Nucleic Compounds

            Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) (2,000 - 3,000 mg per day) accelerates the healing of the Ulcers in the Colon that contribute to Ulcerative Colitis.  research

Pharmaceutical Drugs

            Iamin (solution) is undergoing clinical trials for the treatment of Ulcerative Colitis.

Vitamins

            Folic Acid helps to prevent Colon Cancer in Ulcerative Colitis patients (Ulcerative Colitis patients generally have a higher risk of Colon Cancer).  research

            Vitamin E alleviates Ulcerative Colitis.  references

            Ulcerative Colitis patients are usually found to be deficient in Vitamin K.

These Foods/Herbs Alleviate Ulcerative Colitis

Algae

            Chlorella alleviates the symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis.  research

Animal-Derived Supplements

            Bovine Cartilage has been found to be useful in the treatment of Ulcerative Colitis.

Dairy Foods

            Colostrum (Bovine Colostrum) alleviates Ulcerative Colitis.  research

Herbs

            Aloe Vera (juice consumed orally) alleviates the Inflammation of the Digestive Tract associated with Ulcerative Colitis.  research

            Boswellia (1,050 mg per day) alleviates Ulcerative Colitis.  research

            Cat’s Claw alleviates Ulcerative Colitis (according to observations made by physicians treating Ulcerative Colitis with Cat’s Claw).  research

            Chaparral may be useful for the treatment of Ulcerative Colitis (due to the ability of its NDGA content to inhibit the excessive production of (pro-inflammatory) Leukotriene B4 that occurs during Ulcerative Colitis).  research

            Ginger may be useful for the treatment of Ulcerative Colitis (due to the ability of its Gingerols content to inhibit the excessive production of (pro-inflammatory) Leukotriene B4 that occurs during Ulcerative Colitis).  research

            Venus Flytrap (extract) is claimed to alleviate Ulcerative Colitis.

Mineral Foods

            Charcoal (5 - 10 grams per day) alleviates the Bleeding associated with Ulcerative Colitis.  research

Oils (dietary oils)

            Fish Oils improve the condition of Ulcerative Colitis patients and also help to prevent and treat the Inflammation associated with Ulcerative Colitis (due to the Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) and Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) content of Fish Oils).  research

Seeds

            Psyllium Seeds help to maintain remission in Ulcerative Colitis patients.  peer-reviewed research

These Substances/Factors Cause/Exacerbate Ulcerative Colitis

Carbohydrates/Lipids

            Excessive Lipopolysaccharides are implicated in Ulcerative Colitis.

Immune System Chemicals

            (Food) Allergies can be an underlying cause of Ulcerative Colitis.  peer-reviewed research

            Immune Complexes (formed by the combination of Antigens with specific Antibodies) are strongly speculated to initiate the autoimmune reactions that are implicated in Ulcerative Colitis.

Lipids

            Excessive production of Leukotriene B4 is implicated in the Inflammation (of the Bowel) that occurs in Ulcerative Colitis patients.  research

Metabolism

            Excessive exposure to or generation of Free Radicals is an underlying cause of Ulcerative Colitis.  research

Nervous System

            Excessive Stress exacerbates the condition of Ulcerative Colitis patients.  research

Symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis

Digestive System

            Severe cases of Ulcerative Colitis are often accompanied by Abdominal Pain.

            Bloody Diarrhea and Pus and Mucous-containing Feces - from mild to severe - are symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis.

            Ulcerative Colitis causes Ulcers in the inner lining of the Colon.

Immune System

            Severe cases of Ulcerative Colitis are accompanied by Fever.

Ulcerative Colitis can Cause these Ailments

Cardiovascular System

            Anemia can occur as a result of chronic Ulcerative Colitis.

Immune System

            Ulcerative Colitis increases the risk of Colon Cancer.  research

            Ulcerative Colitis increases the risk of Stomach Cancer.

Metabolism

            Ulcerative Colitis often causes Cachexia (excessive Weight Loss).

Musculoskeletal System

            Ulcerative Colitis increases the risk of Osteoporosis.  research

Skin

            Ulcerative Colitis may be an underlying cause of Rosacea.  peer-reviewed research

Diagnosing Ulcerative Colitis

            The usual method that physicians use to correctly diagnose Crohn’s Disease is a Barium enema.