Crohn's Disease, Colitis, IBD, News and Support

08/31/2015

By Rachel Otis And on that note, please peruse this list of Celebrities who are also living with Crohn’s Disease, and see how they cope in everyday life and the spotlight, creating awareness and vi...

08/14/2015

hero: Professional pitcher Jake Diekman "Gut(s) it out" via CCFA http://bit.ly/1J9uw3N
Texas Rangers pitcher Jake Diekman has been living with IBD for the past 18 years. As a professional athlete, he learned how to "gut it out" and he shares how others with IBD can too.
Click here to read this full article --> http://bit.ly/1J9uw3N

08/03/2015

Their body is a lottery – anything could happen at any moment, and they really have no way of predicting it.

07/26/2015

http://www.sixpartswater.org/knowledge-centre/crohns-disease/bacterial-link-crohns-disease

Much controversy surrounds a link between germs that can live in milk and Crohn's disease - what's the science behind it all?

07/20/2015

quote: "All I want is a life WITHOUT !!" via Outsmartdisease Definitely YES!

07/05/2015

(HealthDay)—An experimental drug may quickly quash symptoms of the digestive disorder Crohn's disease—at least for the short term, an early clinical trial finds.

07/02/2015

"Turmeric"

Turmeric, an "Indian spice" that has been used for centuries for its health benefits might help with Crohn's disease treatment. The active ingredient in the spice that is also known as "holy powder" is "cucrumin" from which the health benefits are derived.

Improved gut health
Early studies show curcumin in turmeric might directly provide anti-inflammatory benefits to the gut for treating colitis and Crohn's disease. A problem with understanding how it works, what dose is most effective and other details is that more human studies are needed.

Turmeric is generally considered safe but could interact with blood thinning medication and should never be taken in high doses and should not be used if you have gallstones. Curcumin might also interfere with chemotherapy given for breast cancer.

A pilot study conducted in 2005 showed participants in the investigation taking turmeric capsules had fewer symptoms including improved stool formation, decreased muscle soreness after exercise, less abdominal pain and cramping and fewer bowel movements. Lab testing also showed decreased inflammation related to several blood biomarkers.

Mood elevation
Dealing with the ups and downs, remissions and exacerbations, medication side effects, frequent doctor visits, hospitalizations and for some surgery can be difficult for those with Crohn's disease.

Turmeric can help keep boost mood, making it a great spice to at least consider using for cooking. To get the benefits you should add pepper. When taking capsules, buy supplements with piperine or black pepper extract which is the active ingredient that helps curcumin absorption. Studies show the spice component is poorly absorbed from the gut into the bloodstream, but pepper can enhance that.

The best natural remedy for depression is exercise, but it's possible turmeric could help break a vicious cycle that can occur from lack of motivation for activity as well as preventing depression.

Better nutrition
Turmeric contains iron, vitamin B6, manganese and potassium. If your nutrition needs a boost, taking turmeric capsules with pepper or pepper extract could provide you with essential vitamins and minerals especially during times when you find it difficult to eat.

Resources:
Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences
An Overview of Curcumin in Neurological Disorders
March-April, 2010
Alternative Medicine Review
Curcumin for inflammatory bowel disease: a review of human studies.
June, 2011

06/23/2015

Don't miss out! CCFA offers many free resources for managing IBD, just a click away. Click here to learn more about the recent webcast on Complementary & Alternative Medicine (CAM) in IBD.

05/29/2015

http://www.everydayhealth.com/hs/crohns-disease-treatment-management/avoiding-common-crohns-triggers/

Some common triggers can set off a flare-ups in people living with Crohn's. disease Learn how controlling these factors can help you manage Crohn's symptoms.

05/19/2015

These diseases have been known primarily as "pooping diseases" because many patients frequent the bathroom as a result of the cramping and...

05/07/2015

Our Featured Girl With Guts for this week is Cassidy!
Would you like to be our featured GWG on our page? Get the chance to tell your story to over 8,000 people world wide! You never know who you might help.
Submit your story here: http://goo.gl/awwHvj