People living with Crohn’s disease can use natural therapies to relieve symptoms and enhance quality of life, including diet changes, acupuncture treatments and medical cannabis products.
Medical treatments include medications known as TNF inhibitors to decrease inflammation. Remicade, Humira and Certolizumab Pegol (Cimzia). These medicines reduce swelling.
Omega-3 fatty acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fats that perform many essential functions in our bodies. Since our bodies don’t naturally produce them on their own, omega-3s must come from food sources instead. They’re found in fish, flaxseeds, walnuts and soybean oil; omega-3 supplements can also provide this essential nutrient. Omega-3s help keep cholesterol under control by decreasing triglyceride levels and improving blood cholesterol – ultimately protecting against cardiovascular disease and helping prevent it altogether.
Evidence exists proving the efficacy of omega-3 fatty acids as an aid for relieving symptoms associated with rheumatoid arthritis. They’re thought to work by blocking arachidonic acid production to create pro-inflammatory eicosanoids, controlling pro-inflammatory cytokines and decreasing expression of genes involved in inflammation. Omega-3s also possess antithrombotic properties by decreasing thromboxane formation and platelet adhesion – key mechanisms involved with controlling inflammation processes.
Studies indicate that adding omega-3 rich food sources such as fish to your diet could help decrease intestinal inflammation – one of the key symptoms associated with Crohn’s disease. More research needs to be conducted in order to establish exactly how much omega-3 you require in order to reap its benefits.
Fish oil supplements are generally safe for most people to take, but it’s wise to consult your physician prior to beginning treatment. Fish oil supplements may interact with blood thinners and corticosteroids medications and increase your risk of bleeding and easy bruising. It’s advised not to combine NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and omega-3 fatty acid supplements at once as this could result in nosebleeds and easy bruising. Also be sure to notify your physician if you take blood-thinning medications or are on dialysis as these could potentially interfere with omega-3 absorption.
Bromelain
Studies suggest that bromelain, an enzyme found in pineapple plant stems, may help reduce inflammation. Extracted from its fruit and stems, bromelain is available as a dietary supplement but has yet to be scientifically proven as an effective cure for Crohn’s disease; nonetheless many individuals living with it use alternative therapies like diet, exercise, herbs and surgery – such as bowel resection or fistula repair procedures – to manage symptoms like intestinal obstruction or excessive bleeding.
Animal studies demonstrated that bromelain had significant anti-inflammatory benefits in animal models of colitis. Specifically, purified bromelain reduced production of proinflammatory cytokines and prevented leukocytes from migrating to sites of inflammation; additionally it reduced tumor cell infiltration into surrounding tissue and enhanced CD11c+ dendritic cell numbers and function while simultaneously improving antigen-presenting cell functions in mouse models of colitis.
Studies have demonstrated the efficacy of bromelain as an effective remedy for chronic sinusitis, decreasing nasal swelling and soothing mucus build-up associated with this condition. Furthermore, bromelain may help treat hay fever – an allergy causing sneezing and itching in the nose and throat – as well as acting as an analgesic and anti-inflammatory to relieve knee, back or other joint pain.
Researchers published a study in Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine which revealed that those taking bromelain for osteoarthritis experienced improved symptoms with less side effects, decreased pain, and superior quality of life compared to those receiving placebo treatments. According to researchers, this was likely due to its ability to reduce inflammation and ease discomfort; further studies are necessary in order to verify these results.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an ancient healing art that can significantly ease symptoms associated with Crohn’s disease. Acupuncture works by activating your body’s natural response to trauma and injury; stimulating release of morphine-like chemicals to alleviate pain, while simultaneously helping your body regulate itself and restore normal functions while strengthening intestinal barriers.
Acupuncture can also assist in alleviating emotional triggers of Crohn’s. Stress and anxiety are known to increase inflammation response, worsen symptoms, and can increase stress levels significantly. Meditation, deep breathing exercises, mindfulness meditation practices can all be used to decrease stress levels and alleviate Crohn’s symptoms – these techniques are easy to incorporate into daily life without interfering with any medication you might take for your condition.
Studies have proven the efficacy of acupuncture for treating inflammatory bowel disease. Acupuncture can relieve abdominal pain, diarrhea and weight loss while simultaneously decreasing pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in blood. Furthermore, it promotes healthy gut linings and increases intestinal mobility.
Acupuncture may be an ideal treatment option for individuals suffering from inflammatory bowel diseases because it’s safe and has few side effects. Acupuncture can be combined with other therapies like diet and exercise to manage symptoms associated with IBD; before trying any complementary or alternative therapies it is wise to consult your healthcare provider first.
Moxibustion
Moxibustion, also known as moxa-burning, involves burning moxa made of dried mugwort to stimulate acupuncture acupoints and improve natural healing processes in the body. When combined with acupuncture treatment for IBD patients, this technique can reduce abdominal pain and diarrhea symptoms while improving immunity – leading to better quality of life for IBD sufferers.
Moxibustion offers many health advantages and can be used to treat various conditions, including fibromyalgia, back pain, neck and shoulder problems, uterine fibroids, menstrual cramps, impotence and arthritis. Furthermore, moxibustion is a safe form of alternative medicine administered by qualified practitioners; studies have demonstrated its wide array of biological effects such as stimulating heat-shock proteins that protect cells against damage.
Moxa can be burned directly or indirectly on the skin to produce thermal stimulation and heat-shock protein activation, increasing circulation in the treated area and activating polymodal receptors in the skin – effects which have been found to improve local tissue vascularity while stimulating acupuncture points to regulate metabolism more effectively.
Moxibustion can be safely used to treat IBD and other conditions, but it’s crucial that a certified acupuncturist with experience in moxibustion be consulted beforehand. At your session, your practitioner will assess your condition and identify any potential risks. Be sure to disclose any health conditions or medications taken, along with allergies that need be disclosed so they may be addressed by the practitioner during treatment.
Meditation
People living with Crohn’s disease may benefit from alternative therapies, like meditation. Meditation helps relieve stress and increase concentration to combat depression; improve memory; boost emotion regulation; decrease pain; enhance sleep quality and even lower blood pressure, which is important for heart health. Before undertaking any alternative therapy it’s essential that first consult your gastroenterologist.
Meditation involves sitting comfortably and focusing on breathing. Your thoughts may drift, but don’t fret: simply bring them back. The goal of meditation is to train your thoughts towards positive qualities such as compassion, generosity, and empathy which will not only strengthen mental wellbeing but will help make you a more resilient individual in handling any challenges life throws your way.
Meditation’s benefits are well-established: reduced anxiety, stress and depression as well as improved immune function are among many. But according to a new study conducted at Stanford University and involving Tibetan Buddhist monks living nearby residents in comparisons of their gut microbiome. Researchers discovered that monks had more beneficial lactic acid bacteria such as those that reduce inflammation and improve gut barrier function while having less of the Clostridium difficile bacteria which causes diarrhea among other symptoms.
Research published in Nature revealed that the gut-brain connection is far more intricate than previously understood, with inflammation linked to brain function triggering flare-ups of Crohn’s symptoms. Therefore, mental wellness care must be prioritized as this directly impacts Crohn’s symptoms.
