5 Game changers for anyone with Crohn’s or Ulcerative Colitis

5 Game changers for anyone with Crohn’s or Ulcerative Colitis

5 Game changers for anyone with Crohn’s or Ulcerative Colitis

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) – Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis, involves inflammation of your digestive system. In colitis it’s your colon, but in Crohn’s it can be anywhere from your mouth all the way down. IBD needs ongoing medical supervision even if you pursue natural strategies to support your body’s own innate healing capabilities.

In IBD your body’s immune system actually attacks itself. This is called an auto-immune condition. Although patients are often told there is no known cause this is not strictly true. Inflammatory bowel disease is rare in cultures where people eat a natural wholefood diet. We also know that there is a higher incidence of IBD in people who eat low fibre diets, smoke, eat fast foods or eat a lot of sugar.

A study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology found that low consumption of essential fatty acids, vegetables and fruits were associated with higher risk for Crohn’s disease [Amre, d’Souza et al, 2007] . Here are some things it’s important to address if you want to reduce the number and severity of flare-ups of Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis.

Here are the 5 non-negotiables my successful clients do to get into remission and stay there (or sort themselves out quickly if they get a flare).

1.Assessing the gut microbiome and dealing with the imbalances.

Your gut microbiome is the microscopic organisms living in your small and large intestine. Cutting edge digestive function tests involving stool cultures and DNA PCR have been a game changer in knowing more about what’s driving your condition. Parasites, yeast overgrowths and imbalances in gut bacteria all damage the lining of your gut wall. People with IBD in my experience never have a balanced colon microbiome. Sooner or later this causes food sensitivities i.e. where your immune system starts over-reacting to foods. I’ve never yet seen an IBD patient have a normal gut microbiome. According to a 2025 meta-analysis [Fent et al Front Med Jan 21;11:1490506] 31% of people with IBD have small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) compared with 6% in the rest of the population. Resolving this is absolutely do-able and could change your life. The more courses of antibiotics you have taken in your life, the higher your risk of IBD. There is also a well established link in the scientific research between antibiotic use and subsequent development of IBD. Healthy bacteria, wiped out by antibiotics, produce a substance called butyric acid, which is crucial for repairing the bowel moment-to-moment of your life.

2.Assess your micronutrients

Because malabsorption and diarrhoea are a feature of Crohn’s and colitis, sufferers are usually short of the very nutrients that help heal the gut. But is that just an effect? Not exactly. Good zinc levels are needed to heal the bowel but are usually low in patients with IBD. Zinc was shown to help heal damage to the gut in animal models of colitis. What form you use is important to whether your body can absorb or utilise it [Sturniolo et al, 2002, J Lab Clin Med]. Folate is needed to repair and maintain the intestines but Irish diets tend to be low and common IBD drugs asulfadine and methotrexate deplete it further. Plus there is a genetic abnormality in many Irish people that can increase our need for folate. Deficiency of vitamin D could also trigger Crohn’s and Colitis, both of which tend to start or relapse more in the winter when vitamin D levels are low. In animals the active form of vitamin D inhibits the onset of artificially induced inflammatory bowel disease [Friocu et al, 2007. BMC Immunol].

3.Check if your diet is anti-inflammatory or pro-inflammatory.

The last thing you want to be doing is adding fuel to the fire. Omega 3 oils from cold-water fish in your diet act as natural anti-inflammatories. Thousands of research papers support their use in a wide variety of inflammatory conditions, including ulcerative colitis. Nut/seed oils increase the disease process [Persson, Ahlbom et al, 1992. Epidemiology]. Commercial confectionery, fried foods, margarine, ready meals, salted snacks are crammed full of these toxic oils. Some medical experts are still recommending brands of high-calorie build-up drinks with 1-2 teaspoons of these toxic oils per serving.

Studies have shown supplementation with pure uncontaminated omega 3 can be very helpful in ulcerative colitis though surprisingly not in Crohn’s. In Crohn’s its more appropriate to have omega 3 in your diet but NOT FROM SUPPLEMENTS. You also need enough of the minerals and B vitamins needed in order for the body to utilise these anti-inflammatory oils. High grain carbohydrate/processed diets deplete those vitamins and minerals . Increased sugar intake and excessive total carbohydrate consumption can also trigger colitis and Crohn’s [Reif, Klein et al, 1997. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol

4. Rule out food sensitivities

You can find out if these are affecting you by cutting edge blood tests or if this isn’t an option for you by doing a 2-3 week elimination diet, after which you gradually re-introduce foods and monitor any reaction in order to identify “problem” foods. Milk (“dairy”) products and gluten grains are the most common culprits for many people with Crohn’s and colitis but other foods such as yeasts and soya are often problematic. The increased intestinal permeability present in food sensitivities predates the onset of frank disease [Buhner et al, 2006. Gut; D’Inca et al 2006. Aliment Pharmacol Ther].

Coeliac disease, a genetic condition, is under diagnosed. It affects 100,000+ people in Ireland today. A further 450,00 have “non-coeliac gluten sensitivity”, which can keep IBD going. Most people are not diagnosed (if ever) until after age 50 and a lifetime of ill health. Standard tests available throughout Europe can definitively diagnose Coeliac Disease BUT cannot rule it out*. This is because biopsy only shows coeliac disease when the gut surface is almost completely destroyed (which might take many decades) and a negative blood test does not guarantee you are not coeliac. The only definitive way to know if you are gluten sensitive is to do sophisticated blood tests or to remove it COMPLETELY from the diet for a period of time. When doing an elimination, even tiny traces of gluten will skew your results so it is crucial to do the elimination 100% for the test period. For some years now I have been able to organize comprehensive and reliable gluten sensitivity testing from Cyrex Laboratories for patients and non-patients alike.

5.The Elephant in the Room: Stress

This is linked to developing ulcerative colitis, Crohns, and to relapses. Nutritional changes make a massive difference in your levels of calm. Did you know that if certain nutrients are missing from your diet you are more likely to feel stressed? Some of these nutrients are also critical for normal bowel repairs and maintenance. Even chronic low level stress impairs normal gut function and in some people that becomes IBD. In my practice I am lucky enough to have cutting-edge software to measure your stress levels and help you learn to self-regulate. This has very pronounced effects within a few weeks, accelerating your progress from the nutrition changes you are making.

Ready to take charge of your health?

Grab your FREE 15 minute zoom strategy call: Whatsapp 087 9816666 now

IBS: Whats causing yours? And how to fix it..

IBS: Whats causing yours? And how to fix it..

IBS: Whats causing yours? And how to fix it..

Is IBS making your life a misery?

A diagnosis of IBS means your doctor can’t find the cause of your diarhoea, constipation, bloating, abdominal pain or excessive flatulence. You don’t “just have to live with it” or rely on meds that don’t address the root cause. Relief IS possible I see it a lot.

Here are the most common drivers of IBS in people who consult me. There is a VERY high success rate when you find out which are relevant to you and address them systematically.

Do you have the right balance of bacteria?

If you have IBS, you definitely don’t! There are more bacteria living in your digestive system then there are cells in your body. They need to be in the right balance for a healthy bowel. Did you know that bifidobacteria (a beneficial bacteria) are essential for the formation of soft but solid stools. Avoiding both constipation and diarrhoea. Lactobacillus, another “good bacteria” produce lactic acid. Lactic acid inhibits the growth of pathogenic (“bad”) microorganisms in the gut.

Bacterial overgrowths, parasites (more common than you think!) and lack of friendly species in your colon are factors in IBS. The imbalance damages the lining of your gut wall and this can also lead to food sensitivities. If you have had to take antibiotics or were not breast-fed you will not have a healthy balance of bacteria in the gut and will be at higher risk of digestive disorders. “Bad” bacteria feed on refined products, seed oils and alcohol. Taking steroids or oral contraception also upsets the bacterial balance in your gut. Find out with the right lab test.

Are you super-relaxed, never react emotionally, never stew over ANYTHING?

Tiredness, low mood, anxiety and insomnia are found in almost all IBS sufferers [1]. Stress, unconscious or not, causes degradation of the lining of your small and large intestine, increasing risk of bowel disorders. Did you know that if your diet is short of relaxing nutrients or you’re not able to digest them then metabolic or emotional stress escalates. Take the stress quiz on my home page to assess your stress.

Are you dehydrated?

Sugary/salty/dried foods, caffeinated drinks, fruit juice and lack of water-rich foods (fruit and non-starchy veg) increase your body’s need for water. Water is needed to make digestive juices. Without enough, you can’t digest properly and there will be downstream effects sooner or later. Also, water softens the stool and makes it easy to pass. A simple test for dehydration. Pinch the skin on the back of your hand, then let it go. If it doesn’t spring back to normal within half a second, you’re dehydrated and its worth exploring why. Check your last GP blood test for creatine

Do you have enough minerals and vitamins in a form your body can digest and use?

Certain nutrient deficiencies can cause digestive problems. For example, deficiency in vitamin B3, B complex or vitamin A can cause diarhoea whereas low B12 or magnesium can contribute to constipation. Magnesium is needed in order to relax the bowel so a stool can be passed. If you are stressed or have insomnia it could be a sign you are short of magnesium. Vitamin B5, B6, folic acid and antioxidants are needed for everyday repair and maintenance of your bowel. Overconsumption of stimulants and refined foods (including alcohol), or smoking, depletes you of nutrients needed for a healthy gut.

Is your body making enough digestive juices?

Did you know that in order for you to break down the food you eat your stomach needs to produce hydrochloric acid. You need enough of certain vitamins and minerals (especially zinc) to make this vital acid. When the food empties from the stomach into the small intestine the mixture needs to be very acidic in order to trigger the release of digestive enzymes and bile salts to complete digestion. If this does not happen then the food sits undigested and fermenting in the gut. This inadequate digestion can cause bloating, flatulence, constipation or diarrhoea.

Do you have food sensitivities?

If you’re stressed or don’t make enough digestive juices then you’re headed for food sensitivities. These are where your immune system reacts inappropriately to certain foods. Symptoms can take 48 hours to appear so it’s hard to pinpoint. Unless you test (IgA and IgG) or do a guided elimination challenge diet. The 2 most common food intolerances are to wheat and dairy products, which contain proteins that are difficult to digest. In a small number of people people, their IBS is an undiagnosed non-coeliac gluten sensitivity.

Do you eat enough quantity and variety of prebiotic fibre?

This fibre is found in certain plants. Friendly colon bacteria feed on it and make short chain fatty acids and these are a critical part of the daily repair of your bowel. Insoluble fibre, found in wholewheat, is a gut irritant and many people find that it makes everything worse. Some people are intolerant of fibre and usually those people have SIBO.

SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth)

A review of studies by the National Institutes of Health showed 19-37% of people with IBS have SIBO compared with a rate of 0-12% for healthy people [2]. This is where (usually harmless) bacteria or fungi proliferate in your small intestine. The overgrowths damage your gut wall. Now you’re not able to make “brush border enzymes” within your small intestine to digest your food. The food turns toxic and becomes food for the bacterial overgrowth. Leaking of undigested gut contents and bacteria into your blood then causes massive inflammation. This can range from depression/anxiety to full blown bowel diseases, skin complaints and all chronic metabolic diseases. And of course, IBS. 95% of the patients I refer for a simple breath test DO have SIBO. They tend to experience radically improvement after addressing the root causes (not just the actual overgrowth itself).

Do you have low thyroid function (hypothyroidism)?

Constipation is a common symptom of underactive thyroid. Blood tests do not always give the full picture – thyroid function may be low enough to give symptoms but not enough for a doctor to recommend medication. This is a less common cause of constipation than most of the factors mentioned above. A simple test using an accurate basal thermometer will rule this in our out. If you’re already on thyroid meds then addressing your struggling thyroid is going to be part of the solution to your gut issues.

If you have any unexplained pain, change in bowel habit or have black/tarry stools you need to consult your medical practitioner immediately. Nutritional therapy is not a substitute for medical treatment.

[1] Svedlund J et al (1985). Upper gasterointestinal and mental symptoms in the IBS. Scand J Gastroenterol, 20, 595-601.
[2] Ghoshal et al (2017) Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth and Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Bridge between Functional Organic Dichotomy. Gut Liver Mar 15;11(2):196–208.

Omega 6: these fats will kill or heal you

These fats will heal or kill you. Get a quick insight into how toxic fats sneak into your food, and how you can replace them with life-giving fats.  This is a game changer for your health.

3 minute watch!

Book your FREE quarter hour phone consultation NOW by phoning +353 87 9816666 or email anna@annacollins.ie

If you want to fix your digestion, avoid this!

If you want to fix your digestion, avoid this!

Zinc is a critical nutrient for digestion and healing your gut.   Zinc is responsible for over 300 processes in your body and affects everything – taste, smell, mood, healing, repair, digestion, immunity.  Your body needs zinc in order to make digestive juices in your stomach to break down protein and help prevent ALL digestive disorders.  Your gut needs zinc to do its normal minute-by-minute repairs your whole life long.  Zinc is crucial.

When you eat grains, especially wheat (bread, pasta, cereals) at meals, substances called phytates lock onto zinc.  The phytates and zinc form a large molecule that your body can’t absorb or use.  Soaking your porridge overnight or switching to sourdough bread are great ways to REDUCE the phytate content of grains.  Minimising eating wheat pasta at dinner and instead of increasing the vegetables is another great tweak.

Zinc deficiency is linked to gastritis, acid reflux, psoriasis, Crohn’s, colitis, and many more health issues.


Need help? Book your FREE quarter-hour call.

Phone + 353 87 981666 or email anna@annacollins.ie NOW.

Are any of these YOU?

Are any of these YOU?

You may be deficient in vitamin A.

Vitamin D and vitamin A are essential partners in your immune and digestive health.  Vitamin A affects the immune system.  Over 70% of your immune cells live in your bowel.  Here, antibodies spend their time doing surveillance work.  Checking everything that floats by and identifying it as friend or foe.  Autoimmune conditions (e.g. IBD, hypothyroidism) are where your immune system attacks your own body.

The availability of vitamin A in your food is a key factor in a tolerant immune system.  This is an immune system that leaves harmless substances alone and yet has the capacity to see off threats (infections).  Immune tolerance is the essence of good health.  Vitamin A is the key to your ability to consume a wide range of food and yet not react adversely.

When I say vitamin A I mean retinol (stored form), retinal and retinoic acid (active forms).  BETA CAROTENE IS NOT VITAMIN A.  Beta carotene is a precursor to vitamin A found in red/orange fruit and veg.  41% of the UK female population have a genetic variation meaning they can’t convert beta carotene to vitamin A.  Anybody who is overweight, taking steroids, on a high grain or low-fat diet, or is hypothyroid will additionally be unable to convert beta carotene to vitamin A.

Vitamin A is critical for the repair and function of your bowel lining, preventing it from becoming leaky.  When cells are deprived of vitamin A, energy production declines and you will suffer fatigue.

When you are low in vitamin A, your body makes more inflammatory compounds and your immune system starts to go haywire. You need vitamin A to manufacture an important antibody called secretory IgA to protect you against infections.   Particularly infections in your airways and your gut.

What about toxicity?
If you are low in vitamin D (below 100nmol/L) vitamin A supplementation can be counter-productive as they work together.  Some people may get enough from their diet if they regularly eat organ meats such as the liver.  The Council for Responsible Nutrition in their 2004 report noted a long history of safe use of vitamin A supplementation at a dose of 10,000iu.  I would only use this high-level dosing for very particular reasons and for a specific period of time.

Pregnant women are well-advised to avoid supplementing retinol but to eat organ meats at least once a week.   This is a whole other area for exploration.

 

Need help? Book your FREE quarter-hour call.

Phone + 353 87 981666 or email anna@annacollins.ie NOW.

Fantastic Irish product lowers inflammation AND soothes your gut

Fantastic Irish product lowers inflammation AND soothes your gut

This is one of my favourite tasty things to recommend to clients because it’s quick and easy.  And makes a difference.  Because of my background in looking at the science of herbs, spices, and their health effects I was excited to see the ingredients.

Every herb and spice contains components that make your gut an unfriendly place for bad bugs.  And a friendly place for the good guys! This has enormous repercussions on your overall digestive health and inflammation levels all over your body.  Plus the fermentation process amplifies the effects of the ingredients.  It’s sweetened with delicious plump sultanas which feed the beneficial gut bug akkermansia mucinophilia.  This clever little bacterium is critically important for restoring or maintaining gut health.  For information on stockists go to www.spoonfulbotanical.com.

Need help? Book your FREE quarter-hour call.

Phone + 353 87 981666 or email anna@annacollins.ie NOW.

Gluten triggers autoimmune conditions

Gluten triggers autoimmune conditions

Autoimmunity includes conditions as diverse as psoriasis, Crohns, ulcerative colitis, hypothyroidism and vasculitis.

Know the best way to keep your autoimmune condition going?  Or to set up an autoimmune condition?  Eat gluten.  Often.  Yes, even in non-coeliacs and people who are NOT sensitive to gluten at all, regular consumption of gluten is a risk factor.  Numerous peer-reviewed studies published in prestigious scientific journals confirm this finding.  And yet it is little known.

Part of the reason gluten can trigger autoimmunity is that it damages YOUR gut.  You must have a damaged gut in order to have an autoimmune condition.

And yet this isn’t common knowledge.  Why?  In my opinion, there are three reasons:

  1. On average it takes the latest, proven scientific findings 25 years to percolate into medical practice
  2. Medical schools teach only half-day nutrition during a student’s 6 years of study.
  3. Medical schools do not include modules on how to critically assess scientific research.

Rakhimova, Esslinger et al.  In vitro differentiation of human monocytes into dendritic cells by a peptic-tryptic digest of gliadin is independent of genetic predisposition and the presence of celiac disease.  J Clin Immunol 2009 Jan;29(1):29-37.

Read the study here.

Need help? Book your FREE quarter-hour call.

Phone + 353 87 981666 or email anna@annacollins.ie NOW.

Gluten triggers autoimmune conditions

Gluten damages YOUR gut

Sensitive to gluten or not, this common protein damages you.  This groundbreaking 2015 study was done on normal healthy people as well as people with gluten sensitivity.

EVERYBODY, not just the gluten-sensitive folk, experienced damage to their gut lining.   If your gut lining is damaged it opens the door to all chronic health conditions.

Hollon et al.  Effect of gliadin on permeability of intestinal biopsy explants from celiac disease patients and patients with non-celiac gluten sensitivity.  Nutrients 2015, 7, 1565-1576. 

Need help? Book your FREE quarter-hour call.

Phone + 353 87 981666 or email anna@annacollins.ie NOW.

Unexplained immune or skin issues?

Unexplained immune or skin issues?

You just might be coeliac.  For every patient with digestive symptoms, there are 8 patients with coeliac disease and NO gastrointestinal symptoms according to research published in the Journal of Gastroenterology.  Coeliac disease dramatically increases your risk of autoimmune hepatitis, hypothyroidism, psoriasis, Sjogren’s, arthritis, and other autoimmune disorders.  As well as a constellation of inexplicable ailments.

The number one symptom of coeliac disease is fatigue, with cognitive issues coming a close second.  That was certainly the case in my situation.  In order for your standard GP blood tests to show anything, you have to have reached the end stage of coeliac disease, where there is severe destruction in your small intestine.  But if your immune system is struggling, you may still get a negative blood test even if the damage is severe.  Biopsy only shows coeliac disease when it is end-stage.  There ARE better ways to get answers.  If you want to have a conversation, get in touch.

Fasano and Catassi.  Current approaches to diagnosis and treatment of celiac disease: an evolving spectrum.  Gastroenterology. 2001 Feb;120(3):636-51.

Need help? Book your FREE quarter-hour call.

Phone + 353 87 981666 or email anna@annacollins.ie NOW.

LinkedIn
YouTube
Facebook
Instagram
RSS