Digestive Wellness: Strengthen the Immune System and Prevent Disease Through Healthy Digestion, Fourth Edition (121 page)

Take glutamine.
Glutamine is the first nutrient I recommend for bowel and intestinal health. It is the most abundant amino acid in our bodies. The digestive tract uses glutamine as the primary nutrient for the intestinal cells, and it is effective for healing stomach ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, and ulcerative bowel diseases.

Douglas Wilmore, M.D., has done a lot of clinical research giving high doses of glutamine to people who have short bowel syndrome. This occurs when only a short portion of the colon remains after surgery. These people develop chronic diarrhea and often cannot tolerate any real food. With a high-fiber, high-glutamine diet, and short-term use of growth hormones, Dr. Wilmore was able to normalize bowel function. Glutamine is also great for building muscle mass. Begin with 8 to 20 grams daily for a trial period of four weeks. In clinical settings, up to 40 grams daily have been used.

A study of Nigerian rabbits reported that when honey was added to glutamine supplementation after bowel resectioning, rabbits who got honey had better
healing. The researchers report that this might also have benefits in people who have had bowel-resectioning surgery.

Try bromelain
. Bromelain, a protein-splitting enzyme derived from the green stems of pineapple, was studied and shown to reduce the incidence and severity of ulcerative colitis with no negative effects even in large doses. Dosages were not listed in this study. Typical doses of bromelain range from 1,000 mg to 3,000 mg daily.

Try tormentil.
Tormentil (Potentilla tormentilla), an herb and member of the rose family, is being studied for its effect in ulcerative colitis. According to Grieve’s
A Modern Herbal
, it nourishes and supports the bowels and stops diarrhea. It’s been reported to have high antioxidant properties and polyphenols. While in early clinical testing, one study with 16 people reported improvements in those treated with 2,400 mg daily. Although the study was done on ulcerative colitis, the benefits could certainly extend to other inflammatory bowel conditions.

Take sustained-release phosphatidylcholine.
Recent research on the use of sustained-release phosphatidylcholine in people with ulcerative colitis looks quite promising. Effective doses appear to be 2 to 4 grams daily.

Take folic acid.
One of folic acid’s main functions is to help with the repair and maintenance of epithelial cells, such as those in the bowel. The drug Asulfadine, commonly prescribed for bowel inflammation, causes a 30 percent loss of folic acid. Even those who don’t take Asulfadine may benefit greatly from folic acid supplementation. In one study, 24 people with bowel disease were given either a placebo or 15 mg of folic acid daily. Beneficial changes to the cells were observed in those receiving the folic acid. In my own clinical experience, I have found that a combination of glutamine and folic acid can often rapidly reduce inflammation and irritation in bowel disease. While I used to use high-dose folic acid (5 to 10 mg daily), I’ve become more cautious because it appears that in susceptible people who already have colon cancer, it may promote cancer growth. Monitor folic acid levels with blood testing and/or organic acid testing.

Try wheatgrass juice.
People with ulcerative colitis have had great results reducing flare-ups of the disease by drinking wheatgrass juice. In 2002 Israeli researchers finally put it to the test. Twenty-three people with active distal ulcerative colitis were given either 3½ ounces (100 cc) of wheatgrass juice daily or a green placebo daily for one month. People who received the wheatgrass juice had less severe flare-ups of the disease and less blood loss. Wheatgrass juice is high in glutathione. Low glutathione levels have been found in people with inflammatory
bowel disease. There was also improvement in sigmoidoscopy. This is certainly a nontoxic and easy remedy to try.

Increase glutathione naturally.
Inflammatory bowel disease is one of increased free radicals. One of the most important reducers of inflammation due to toxicity is glutathione. Two of the simplest ways to increase your glutathione levels are to use a good quality whey protein powder daily and take N-acetyl cysteine (NAC). Dosages of NAC range from 500 to 2,000 mg daily.

Increase consumption of omega-3 fatty acids.
Salmon, mackerel, herring, tuna, sardines, and halibut are all excellent sources of EPA/DHA oils. Eating these fish several times a week can supply your body with these essential fats. Seaweeds also provide generous amounts of omega-3 oils, but carrageenan, an extract from seaweed, may increase the inflammation in the colon. While carrageenan is used in animals to produce IBD, in humans the research is not yet clear. To be on the safe side, avoid red and brown seaweeds.

You can also take capsules of EPA/DHA oils daily. In a recent study, it was found that use of Max/EPA decreased disease activity by 58 percent over a period of eight months. No patient worsened, and eight out of eleven were able to reduce or discontinue use of medication. The dosage was 15 capsules of Max/EPA, which contained 2.7 grams of EPA and 1.8 grams of DHA, per day. Many other studies also show the benefit of fish oils with dosages between 3.5 and 5.5 grams daily.

Take probiotics and prebiotic fibers.
E. coli strain Nissle 1917 was found in three studies to be equal to use of 5-ASA medication. VSL#3 has also been studied to keep people in remission and prevent pouchitis. There is much that is unknown, yet probiotics and prebiotics play an important role in modulation of inflammation and immune response. The dose ought to be in proportion to the level of inflammation. (See
Chapter 6
for more on probiotics.)