ULCERATIVE COLITIS

About Colitis

Colitis is a chronic disorder in which the lining of the colon becomes inflamed and can develop ulcers, causing bloody diarrhoea, pain, bloating, flatulence and, sometimes, constipation.  Colitis can range from relatively mild to severe.  The full cause is not always known, but stress, poor diet and food allergies can all play their part.  It can also be caused by infectious bacteria caused by overuse of antibiotics so that the protective bacteria can no longer protect against pathogenic bacteria.

Nutrition Facts & Diet Advice for Colitis

Consider the following nutrition guidelines:

• Keep a food diary to see if you can discover which foods aggravate and which foods improve your condition.  It may be that a few specific foods are causing most of the problems.  Consider seeking the help of a nutritional consultant and have a test for allergies and food sensitivities. 

• Eat a low-carbohydrate diet, with lots of vegetables and sufficient protein. 

• Baked or steamed fish, skinless chicken and turkey are probably safe. 

• Fibre in the form of brown rice, barley and oats should be tried, but avoid wheat.  Also ensure fibre from vegetables, although if eating them raw aggravates the symptoms, you could steam or bake them. 

• Eat plenty of garlic if possible. 

• Eat fruit away from other foods.

• Use soya milk or rice milk instead of cows milk. 

• Drink at least 1½ litres or more of clean spring or filtered water (not chlorinated tap water which kills your good bacteria).  You need this water to replace that lost with diarrhoea. 

• Vegetable juices, especially cabbage, are also good. Click here to see the Champion Juicer as used by the Gerson Institute.

• Avoid fat and fried oils. 

• Avoid dairy produce.

• Avoid caffeine, sugar and soft drinks.

• Avoid red meat and processed food.

DURING A FLARE-UP, eat only soft foods until the pain has subsided.  Liquidized vegetables with linseeds might make a good choice.    A large glass of water at room temperature or warmer can be helpful.

Health Supplements and Colitis

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Often, a combination of supplements may help in alleviating this condition. You may wish to consult a nutritional therapist for personal advice. Supplements that may be helpful in alleviating symptoms are shown below:

(please also read this important notice concerning supplement medical claims)

• 1 x Digestive enzyme with each main meal (e.g. BioCare Polyzyme Forte) – Do not use if ulcerated.

• 1 x Bio-acidophilus (from BioCare)

• 1 x Teaspoon of Psyllium Husks (Nutriscene) in water (mix and drink immediately before it thickens excessively.  Follow with another glass of water.) Once or twice a day.

• L-Glutamine powder  1 teaspoon 3 x a day (Higher Nature)

• 1 x Advanced Antioxidant Formula (Solgar)

• 3-9 capsules Essential Balance (Omega Nutrition oils), or 1 dessert spoon (Higher Nature)

• Garlic Supergar capsules (Higher nature) 2-3 times a day

• 2 x True Food Vitamin C  (Higher Nature).  Do not use ascorbic acid.

Recommended Books

health book - Breaking the Vicious Cycle: Intestinal
health book - Fast Facts - Coeliac Disease
health book - Irritable Bowel Syndrome

see also: allergies and food intolerance